Grays River Covered Bridge Is The Oldest Covered Bridge In Washington

There’s something nostalgic and charming about a good old-fashioned covered bridge. And Washington happens to have one that is so old, it’s been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971. If you have yet to check out the Grays River Covered Bridge in Grays River, come explore this piece of living history.

The appropriately named Grays River Covered Bridge is a single-lane covered bridge that crosses the Grays River in Wahkiakum County.

NTSU1975 / TripAdvisor Wahkiakum County is the second least populated county in the state, so most Washingtonians have never even heard of it.

To reach the bridge, you’ll just take WA-4 to Covered Bridge Road and follow the signs.

NTSU1975 / TripAdvisor Unless you live in Southwest Washington, this will be quite a drive — but it’s worth it.

Most covered bridges in the area are no longer standing, but this one remains sturdy.

Wikipedia / Travisl It was originally built in 1905 from local timber so local horses and wagons would have a place to cross the river.

The bridge wasn’t covered until 1908, when locals decided the expensive wooden trusses needed to be protected.

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Given the weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest, this was clearly a wise decision.

Although it was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1971, the bridge was in disrepair by the 1980s and needed a lot of work.

C Hanchey / Flickr In 1988, it received a major restoration, funded by the local Finnish farming and logging families. It’s now managed by the Grays River Grange.

The Grays River Covered Bridge is an important local landmark.

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr The area is open to the public, so you’re welcome to come check it out.

Have you ever seen this historic bridge? Add it to your list of must-see historic landmarks in Washington.

NTSU1975 / TripAdvisor

Wahkiakum County is the second least populated county in the state, so most Washingtonians have never even heard of it.

NTSU1975 / TripAdvisor

Unless you live in Southwest Washington, this will be quite a drive — but it’s worth it.

Wikipedia / Travisl

It was originally built in 1905 from local timber so local horses and wagons would have a place to cross the river.

J. Stephen Conn / Flickr

Given the weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest, this was clearly a wise decision.

C Hanchey / Flickr

In 1988, it received a major restoration, funded by the local Finnish farming and logging families. It’s now managed by the Grays River Grange.

The area is open to the public, so you’re welcome to come check it out.

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Address: Grays River, WA 98621, USA