The midwest doesn't have the market on covered bridges. Honey Run Covered Bridge on the outskirts of Chico over Butte Creek is reached by a scenic, winding road that takes you back in time. See the salmon swimming upstream to spawn, imagine the horsedrawn carriages crossing the covered bridge, learn about the floods and fires that threatened the structure. Road is no longer open to vehicle traffic, but you can walk across and touch the handhewn wooden beams forming the structure. Afterwards, continue up the road to the Centerville Museum, a small but authentic collection of Native American artifacts, goldmining paraphernalia, and period items.
The Historic Honeyrun Covered Bridge is located in Butte Creek Canyon, spanning Butte Creek. The canyon lies between Paradise and Chico. Honeyrun Road is the old stagecoach road from Chico to Paradise and points on up the mountain. It ran through the covered bridge and up the old one lane, winding road into downtown Paradise. Horse drawn coaches, wagons and carriages would take refuge in the covered bridge until frequent rain stopped. Paradise is an old gold mining town where the largest single gold nugget in the continental US, was found in 1859, along the Feather River, in another canyon bordering Paradise. The covered bridge was still in use (by cars) until the late 1960s when the Paradise entrance was damaged in an accident. It was then retired to be preserved for posterity. A modern bridge was built for cars & bikes.Now one can still walk or bike into the bridge and absorb the history. There is a small picnic area with tables and restrooms There are other historic towns as one travels along the Chico side of Butte Creek through the canyon toward Centerville and beyond to Helltowan, Toadtown, and more.
The cover bridge is a good stopping place for water break as you bike up centerville or paradise. The cover bridge has some nice spot for taking pictures also.
After bird watching near Butte Creek, we visited the bridge, just a few miles up the road. The bridge is very picturesque, spanning water with viewing windows in the middle. Real rest room, though the door needs some work. Easy short stop or picnic possibilities.
I grew up in southern IN and traveled to Park County for the Covered Bridge Festival so discovering this rarity in northern CA, make it a "must see"
One of the last Covered Bridges left in California, in the beautiful setting of Butte Creek below and the Canyon Walls above. If you love history then this is for you, the bridge is restored and in tacked as the day it open, but just no more cars to get in the way now. It was started in 1886 and opened in 1894, to complete the road to Paradise from Chico. It was still being used until 1967 (I think) when a car hit it and damage it badly. It was then replaced with a new bridge, thankfully in a better spot, so the Cover Bridge was left standing. Citizens in the Canyon decided to from a group to save the declining Bridge, thankfully keeping the bridge up keep and repairs, raising money from a yearly Pancake breakfast and other fund raising crafts sells. If you are a Photo taker this is a spot you need to see, with the creek flowing down the Canyon and wildlife abounding. I love it so much I moved to the Canyon, so I might be somewhat one sided in my opinion. www.honeyruncoveredbridge.com/
Built in the late 1800s, the bridge crossing Butte Creek has been restored and maintained as a bit of living history only a 15 minute drive from Chico. Its a perfect place for a picnic and swimming, especially in the summer when the temperature threatens 100 degrees. Its empty during the week and fairly crowded on the weekend so get there early for a nearby parking spot.
$3 per car "suggested" donation. This was probably not worth the gas or time - but at least we can say we saw it. Nothing like the quaint covered bridges of the Northeast.
Sitting on the smooth rocks in the river on a hot summer day in Butte County with your feet in the cool running river is very relaxing and refreshing. When you add that you're doing this under a historic covered bridge, you feel lost in tim and in the moment.
Honey Run Covered Bridge is an interesting bit of local history. Can no longer drive on it but there is a parking lot and picnic tables - beautiful area