Knight's Ferry Bridge

Knight's Ferry Bridge is a wooden crossing over the Stanislaus River with a high-pitched roof and enclosed walls that shield its internal framework. The structure extends about 330 feet and displays the typical design of covered bridges from that construction period.

The bridge was built in 1863 to replace an earlier structure destroyed by river flooding. It became a key transportation route during California's post-gold rush development and served the surrounding agricultural communities.

The bridge connected isolated communities on both sides of the Stanislaus River and became a gathering point for local travelers. Its role as a crossing shaped how settlements developed along the river valley during the settlement period.

You can walk across on foot and view the river below through side openings along the structure. The wooden flooring can be slick when wet, so watch your step and allow extra time if visiting after rain.

This bridge is counted among the longest of its kind constructed west of the Mississippi River. Its wooden frame has endured despite constant exposure to river moisture and the wear that wood typically sustains over the generations.

Location: Stanislaus County

Inception: 1864

GPS coordinates: 37.81974,-120.66390

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04