Ritner Creek, a historic covered bridge, spans Ritner Creek in Oregon, in Polk County. Built in 1927, stretching 73.0 feet across the waterway.

Covered bridges like this one were built with roofs and siding not for the comfort of travelers but to protect the load-bearing timber trusses from rain and snow. Without this protection, exposed wooden bridges typically lasted only ten to fifteen years, while covered bridges could stand for a century or more with proper maintenance.

Oregon maintains one of the largest collections of covered bridges on the West Coast, with many still carrying daily traffic through the agricultural valleys of the Cascade Range foothills.

Visitors can typically view and photograph the bridge year-round from nearby roads and paths. Fall foliage season provides an especially picturesque setting, when the surrounding hardwood forests frame the weathered timbers in brilliant color. Many covered bridge enthusiasts plan driving tours connecting multiple bridges in a single region, making these structures ideal waypoints for a day of scenic exploration.

Explore Nearby

• Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site — State Park in Oregon
• Yachats State Recreation Area — State Park in Oregon
• Willamette National Forest — National Forest in Oregon
• Umpqua National Forest — National Forest in Oregon
• Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway — Scenic Byway in Oregon