Westfir Covered Bridge

A short distance out of Oakridge on the paved Aufderheide National Scenic Byway is the Westfir Covered Bridge. This bright-red span has the distinction of being the longest covered bridge in Oregon (180 feet) as well as the tallest covered bridge west of the Mississippi. Furthermore, it is likely that it is also the heaviest span of any wood construction bridge due to its Howe trusses, extension rods, and cords.

You can see what remains of the Hines Company mill on the opposite side of the bridge; in its heyday it employed 750 people and operated around the clock. You can get a good picture of the bridge from the road as you approach the nearby town of Westfir.

Salt Creek Falls

About 20 miles southeast of Oakridge, just west of Willamette Pass on the way to Odell Lake on Route 58, is Oregon’s second-highest waterfall, Salt Creek Falls, which forms the headwaters of the Willamette River. You’ll find the pullout on the south side of the highway.

The short walk to the viewing area of the 286-foot-high cascade provides a great photo opportunity. Trails access both the top and the bottom of the waterfall for those interested in taking a closer look at this raw display of hydropower.

McCredie Hot Springs

McCredie Hot Springs is 10 miles southeast of Oakridge on Route 58 near mile marker 45. A short walk down to Salt Creek brings you to a small hot spring adjacent to the river. This location allows you to enjoy the rush of simultaneously hot and cold water. Depending on how you position yourself, you can take a bath at any temperature you choose—be careful, there are some extremely hot spots. Because it’s so close to the road that this place is often busy; many bathe nude here.

Meditation Pool

Another primitive hot springs in the area is Meditation Pool (Wall Creek). It’s really more like a warm spring, as the water ranges about 90–104°F, depending on weather conditions. It’s a short easy hike in, and the soak is worth the effort.

To get there, turn north onto Rose Street from Route 58 in Oakridge. Turn right onto 1st Street, proceed east, and 1st Street will eventually become Forest Service Road 24, paralleling Salmon Creek. About 10 miles out of Oakridge, look for Forest Service Road 1934 on the left (north) side of the road.

Approximately 0.5 miles down Forest Service Road 1934 you’ll see a trailhead sign (the kind with no name, only two figures hiking) on the west (left) side of the road. Follow the path along Wall Creek about 0.3 miles up to the creek-side pool. East of Oakridge on Route 58 on the south side of the highway is the Greenwater rest area, a beautiful place to take in the laid-back charm of the upper Willamette River.

by Judy Jewell and W. C. McRae from Moon Oregon, 8th Edition, © Elizabeth & Mark Morris and Avalon Travel