Built in 1937, Zane's Ranch is the second most westerly covered bridge in the United States. Nearly identical to Berta's Ranch, built just a quarter-mile upstream.
Just a quarter-mile upstream from its nearly-twin Berta's Ranch, Zane's Ranch Covered Bridge stands as the second most westerly covered bridge in the United States. Built in 1937—merely one year after Berta's—this 52-foot redwood span serves as a testament to the Elk River Valley's close-knit ranching community and their shared commitment to quality infrastructure. The two bridges, almost identical in design and construction, created a reliable transportation network for valley ranchers while establishing a unique covered bridge corridor unmatched anywhere else in California.
Located on Zane Road, the bridge continues to provide vehicle access across the Elk River for local residents and agricultural operations. Its survival alongside Berta's Ranch through nearly 90 years of heavy Humboldt County rainfall and periodic flooding demonstrates both the wisdom of building elevated approaches and the durability of properly constructed redwood structures. Together, these twin bridges represent an important chapter in California's rural heritage and Depression-era resourcefulness.
The success of Berta's Ranch Covered Bridge, completed in 1936, directly inspired the Zane family to construct their own covered bridge the following year. The Zane Ranch, situated upstream from Berta's property, faced similar challenges crossing the Elk River to access their agricultural lands and connect with neighboring properties. Rather than risk vehicles and livestock on temporary crossings during high water, they invested in a permanent covered bridge following the proven design already established downstream.
Local craftsmen, likely including some who worked on Berta's bridge, constructed Zane's Ranch using the same abundant redwood timber and Howe Truss design. The decision to replicate the successful nearby bridge made perfect economic and practical sense—the design was proven, materials were identical, and the construction techniques were fresh in local builders' minds. The 52-foot span matched Berta's length almost exactly, suggesting the two crossings faced similar river conditions and structural requirements.
For many years, Zane's Ranch held the distinction of being California's most recently constructed covered bridge—a title it maintained until 1969 when Humboldt County built the Brookwood bridge north of Eureka. This 32-year gap between covered bridge construction in California reflects changing road-building practices and materials preferences in the mid-20th century, as concrete and steel increasingly replaced traditional wooden bridge construction.
Zane's Ranch Covered Bridge mirrors Berta's Ranch in nearly every architectural detail. The 52-foot length, Howe Truss structural system, and redwood construction create such similarities that visitors viewing photographs often cannot distinguish which bridge they're seeing. The Howe Truss design employs the same combination of wooden compression members and iron tension rods that made the system popular across America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The bridge's native redwood construction showcases the same exceptional durability found at Berta's Ranch. Coast redwood's natural resistance to decay, combined with the protective covering that shields structural timbers from direct weather exposure, has enabled the bridge to serve continuously for nearly nine decades. The vertical board siding and gabled roof follow traditional covered bridge patterns established in the Eastern United States but adapted for California's milder climate and abundant redwood resources.
Subtle differences between Zane's and Berta's bridges exist primarily in weathering patterns and minor maintenance variations accumulated over the decades. The fundamental structural design remains identical—a testament to the pragmatic approach of Depression-era rural builders who recognized no need to reinvent a successful solution. The single-lane width requires drivers to yield when meeting oncoming traffic, maintaining the courteous rural road traditions of a less hurried era.
Zane's Ranch Covered Bridge is located approximately 5.3 miles south of Eureka, just 0.3 miles upstream from Berta's Ranch Covered Bridge. From Highway 101, take the Herrick Avenue exit south of Eureka and turn east onto Elk River Road. Drive approximately 3.2 miles, then turn right onto Zane Road. The bridge is a short distance down Zane Road. GPS coordinates: 40.7368°N, 124.1632°W. This is an active vehicle bridge on a private ranch road—please be respectful of property and local traffic.
Limited roadside parking is available near the bridge entrance. As with Berta's Ranch, this is an active farm road carrying vehicle traffic, so park completely off the roadway and ensure you don't block gates, driveways, or farm equipment access. Exercise caution when photographing or walking across the bridge, as local residents and ranchers use this crossing regularly. The surrounding property is privately owned ranchland—please stay on the public road right-of-way and respect property boundaries.
Spring (March-May) offers the most rewarding visit, with lush green hillsides, active stream flow in the Elk River, and comfortable temperatures perfect for photography. Early summer (June-July) maintains attractive conditions before California's dry season turns grasslands golden brown. Fall (September-November) brings autumn colors and excellent bird watching opportunities as thousands of migrating waterfowl arrive for winter. The Elk River Valley hosts impressive concentrations of Aleutian Cackling Geese from October through March. Winter visits (December-February) can be spectacular but risky—heavy rains can flood the valley and make roads impassable, so always check weather and road conditions before traveling during wet months.
Zane's Ranch Covered Bridge offers virtually identical photographic opportunities as Berta's Ranch, with subtle differences in landscape framing. Shoot from Elk River Road for approach views that capture the bridge in its working ranch context with pastoral hillsides beyond. The bridge's barn-red exterior photographs beautifully against the Elk River Valley's green (spring) or golden (summer/fall) grasslands. Position yourself on Zane Road for direct portal shots emphasizing the bridge entrance. Morning light (7-9 AM) works well, particularly when Humboldt's characteristic fog creates atmospheric effects. Include the Elk River in compositions during spring when water levels are higher and more photogenic. The tunnel perspective from inside creates leading lines—have someone walk through from the opposite end for scale and human interest. Consider creating a photo essay visiting both Zane's and Berta's bridges to document this unique twin-bridge phenomenon. Overcast conditions common to coastal Humboldt County provide excellent even lighting without harsh shadows, making any time of day workable for photography.
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Historic 1864 covered bridge spanning the Stanislaus River. At 355 feet, it's the longest covered bridge in California and west of the Mississippi River.
Historic covered bridge in Yosemite National Park, built in 1868 by Galen Clark. The only covered bridge in the western region of the National Park System.