• Hoffman Covered Bridge is a historic wooden structure over Crabtree Creek
One of the six covered bridges on the Covered Bridge Tour Route, Hoffman Covered Bridge was built in 1936 by Lee Hoffman and named in honor of its builder. Built with only hand tools, the 90-foot bridge is accentuated by two Gothic-style windows on each side, an exposed roof truss design, and a trapezoidal-shaped portal.
It crosses Crabtree Creek while serving traffic on Hungry Hill Drive. The creek originates in the western foothills of the Cascades near Crabtree Mountain and flows west to the South Santiam River.
The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Another covered bridge spanning Crabtree Creek, Larwood Covered Bridge, is located 9 miles east.
Swimming
The creek just below Hoffman Covered Bridge is an excellent swimming spot for those who enjoy water activities.
During the summer months, the flow is slow and pleasantly warm. A path leads down to a sandy beach at the southwest edge of the bridge. The area at the beach and beneath the bridge is deep enough for swimming, with a mostly sandy bottom.
Fishing
The creek is closed to salmon and steelhead fishing but open to trout angling from the end of May through the end of October, catch-and-release only.
Bass, crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch fishing is open during trout season with no catch limit.
Hoffman Covered Bridge | Facts
Architectural Bridge Design: Howe truss
Bridge access: Pedestrian and vehicle
Stream: Crabtree Creek
Bridge Length: 90 ft (27 m)
Built: 1936
Elevation: 310 ft (94 m)
Hoffman Bridge is located:
- 13 miles east of Albany
- 30 miles southeast of Salem
- 52 miles northeast of Eugene
- 77 miles northeast of Portland.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Hoffman Covered Bridge
From I-5,
- Take exit 233 in Albany toward Sweet Home and go 5.5 miles east on Highway 20 to Highway 226
- Turn left onto Highway 226 and follow east 2.5 miles to Cold Springs Road
- Turn left onto Cold Springs Road and drive 0.3 miles to Crabtree Drive
- Turn right onto Crabtree Drive and then onto Hungry Hill Drive on the left
- Continue on Hungry Hill Drive for 1.6 miles to the bridge.
Gee, I always thought the bridge was named after the farm at the north end, the Hoffman farm. It was our family farm.
Hmm, all of the sources I saw point to the bridge builder Lee Hoffman. Hoffman is relatively common last name of German origin, so I will not be surprised of a coincidence like this.