Oregon's 'Covered Bridge Capital' Boasts Classic Small Town Charm And Serene Natural Beauty

While Oregon is known for its rugged outdoor majesty in the form of snow-capped volcanoes, high desert, unspoiled coastline, and deep evergreen forests, it's also a remarkably bucolic place. Oregon's countryside is made up of gentle rolling hills, picturesque valleys, miles of vineyards, and charming settlements such as this quaint spot that has been crowned America's coziest college town.

Another one of Oregon's idyllic hamlets is Cottage Grove, which lies just over 20 miles south of the eminently walkable, under-the-radar burg of Eugene. Home to around 10,000 residents, Cottage Grove is a beautiful, laid-back community situated between the foothills of the Cascade Range and the state's Pacific coastline, putting it within perfect striking distance of an array of outdoor recreation hotspots.

However, Cottage Grove's biggest draw is its historic covered bridges, which have earned it the moniker, "The Covered Bridge Capital of the West." While usually associated with small towns in New England, these appealing traditional structures are getting harder to find these days and are a rare site in the western part of the country. The fact that Cottage Grove boasts no less than six — all just a short drive from downtown — makes it a unique destination very much worth checking out.

The six covered bridges in the countryside around Cottage Grove mostly date back to the 1920s and represent the greatest concentration of such structures on the West Coast. They can be accessed via a 30-mile tour that allows you to stop off at plenty of places along the way for photos or even picnic on the grass next to a bridge.

While most of the bridges now only accommodate pedestrians and/or cyclists, two — the Mosby Creek and Dorena Covered Bridge — allow vehicles, but only under a certain weight, so check ahead if you're driving a big rig. One of the structures — the Chambers Railroad Bridge — is thought to be the only covered railway bridge west of the Mississippi, and though the railway shut down in the 1950s, the bridge is now open to foot and bike traffic.

While most visitors to Cottage Grove elect to tour the bridges by car, it's also possible to check out the bridges on two wheels, via the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway. This 36-mile bike path takes riders to each of the bridges on an easy route that's perfect for casual cyclists. The bikeway loops through Cottage Grove's historic downtown before heading out into the countryside. In addition to the rural splendor that the bridges call home, the bikeway heads along the shore of Dorena Lake, allowing rides to soak in the sight of its shimmering waters, which just adds another level of beauty to the ride. Bikes are available for rent at Rainy Peak Bicycles on Main Street downtown. 

Originally settled as a mining and timber town, Cottage Grove's rich heritage is on display in its downtown Historic District, which features century-old buildings made from locally-sourced bricks and lumber. Today, the downtown is home to an array of boutiques, antique shops, and restaurants, and possesses such pure Americana vibes that it was used as a backdrop for such Hollywood films as Buster Keaton's "The General," "Animal House," and "Stand By Me."

Cottage Grove also happens to sit at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, which is one of the country's great underrated wine regions. The valley is home to over 700 wineries and has earned the distinction as one of the world's leading producers of pinot noir. There are two wineries easy to reach from Cottage Grove: Saginaw and Iris Vineyards, located about 10 and 20 minutes north of downtown, respectively.

The best way to get to Cottage Grove is to fly into Portland International Airport and head south for two hours on Interstate 5, though you may be tempted to stop off a few times to soak up the splendor that the Willamette Valley offers in spades. For more hidden gems in the Beaver State, check out this charming little city on the Oregon Coast.