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The 1986 Hollywood film, ‘Stand By Me’, wasn’t exactly a box office hit. Over the years, though, it has gained a strong cult following. If you’re a part of that following (and since you’re reading this i’m assuming you are), you undoubtedly remember that infamous bridge scene.

You may not realize this, but that scene wasn’t filmed in Oregon. It was filmed just down the road from Burney Falls in Burney, California. While it was taken out of service early into the new millennium, it still stands to this day and can be easily visited by anyone who wishes to.

So where is it? How do you get there? We answer these questions and more in the post below. Let’s get into it.

A Quick Word…

While you’re still permitted to visit the location of the bridge, the bridge itself has been blocked off. Accessing the bridge is no longer permitted due to the 2021 death of a Reno, NV man.

Getting to the Stand by Bridge

The bridge from ‘Stand by Me’ is located just a short drive away from the central part of Burney, California. From famed Burney Falls, it’s just a couple minutes away.

If you’re coming from Burney (whether the town or the waterfall):

• Head north on highway 89 (if you’re at Burney Falls, take a left out of the park).

• Shortly after crossing over Lake Britton, and driving through the overpass, take a (very) hard right onto Eagle Mountain lane.

• You’ll continue on the dirt road for about a quarter mile before arriving at the bridge on your right.

If you’re coming from the opposite direction, such as McCloud or Dunsmuir, you’ll simply go south on highway 89 before taking a left onto Eagle Mountain lane.

Milage from additional cities and parks include:

• Burney Falls: 2.5 miles

• Lassen National Park: 43 miles

• Redding, CA: 67 miles

• Reno, NV: 168 miles

• Medford, OR: 138 miles

• Brownsville, OR: 338 miles

The dirt road going to the bridge is navigable for just about any vehicle. Our compact made it just fine. Though there are some potholes to keep an eye out for. There is no official parking lot, but there’s an open area of dirt on the side of the road that serves that purpose. Just find a spot that makes sense.

The ‘Stand By Me’ Bridge

The first thing you’ll likely notice is the blockade placed in front of the bridge. Prior to 2021, walking across the bridge was permitted. Since 2021, when a Reno man was killed after jumping from the bridge, a barricade was put in place and access to the bridge became prohibited.

Thankfully, there are open slots between the cement blockade and barbwire where you can get a clear photo of the bridge itself.

Despite the bridge being blocked off, it’s still worth a visit. Particularly if you’re a fan of the movie. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s a historic bridge with amazing views of the lake and surrounding hills. You can get those views on either side of the bridge.

I can’t say for sure, but it’s likely possible to access the bridge from the other side via the Burney section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Along the Burney Falls Scenic Loop there’s a point in which you can access the PCT. I’m not sure of the milage, though. I suggest hiking for a couple miles until you see what looks like old train tracks and follow those towards the water.

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