A historic covered bridge over the Crabtree Creek
A lovely park and swimming hole is perfect for families with kids
One of the six beautiful covered bridges within the short distance from Scio and Stayton, the Larwood Covered Bridge over the Crabtree Creek is located right by the Larwood Wayside Park at the junction of the Roaring River and Crabtree Creek. This place is unique since the river flows into the creek, not another way around, which is not common in nature. According to "Ripley's Believe It or Not", it's the only place in the world, where a river empties into a creek.
The Crabtree Creek begins in the western foothills of the Cascade Range near Crabtree Mountain and flows west to the South Santiam River.
The 111-foot Larwood Covered Bridge was constructed between 1939 and 1941 (no exact county record was found). It was named after William Larwood who founded the community near the Crabtree Creek in 1888. Before this bridge was build, two covered bridges spanned the Roaring River and Crabtree Creek adjusted to each other.
The Larwood Covered Bridge was built in accordance with Highway Commission specifications at the time. This made it a very well preserved piece of history you can enjoy nowadays.
The bridge is crossed by Fish Hatchery Road and open to one-lane vehicle traffic. In 1979 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
There is one more covered bridges over the Crabtree Creek – Hoffman Bridge, built in 1936.
The 6-acre Wayside Park is a great swimming, fishing, and picnic spot. There are a wooden footbridge over the Roaring River, a restroom, and picnic tables.
Video
Swimming
The Crabtree Creek below the Larwood Covered Bridge is a popular spot for those who like wading and swimming.
In the summer months, when a level of the creek is low, this section of the river is peaceful. The long swimming hole features warm and clear water, sandy and rocky bottom, rope swing under the bridge. Some swimmers chose to jump off the bridge, but it can lead to serious injury since the deepest spot under the bridge is about 5 feet.
Fishing
The creek is closed to salmon and steelhead angling. Open to trout fishing from the end of May through the end of October, catch-and-release only.
Warmwater gamefish including bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch is open during trout season. No catch limit.
Larwood Covered Bridge | General Description
Architectural Bridge Design: Howe truss
Bridge access: Pedestrian and vehicle
Stream: Crabtree Creek
Bridge Length: 111 ft (34 m)
Built: 1939
Open: Year-round
Managed: Linn County
Location: Near Scio, Willamette Valley
Services: None
Activities: Fishing and swimming
Accommodations: None
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: None
Popularity: Moderate
Elevation: 400 ft (122 m)
Larwood Bridge is located:
- 19 miles east of Albany
- 32 miles southeast of Salem
- 64 miles northeast of Eugene
- 71 miles northeast of Portland.
Water body: Creek
Water quality: Transparent
Current: Light to moderate
Depth: Deep and shallow
Beach: Sand and river rocks
Water T° (summer): Cool to warm
Directions to Larwood Covered Bridge
From I-5,
- Take exit 233 in Albany toward Sweet Home and drive 5.5 miles east on Highway 20 to Highway 226
- Turn left onto Highway 226 and go 4.4 miles to Fish Hatchery Drive
- Turn right onto Fish Hatchery Drive and continue 6.6 miles to the bridge, cross the bridge.
The parking area is located immediately after the bridge on the left.
Points of Interest Nearby
