Oregon / Jackson County

Mckee Bridge Community Kitchen

Open — Open for day-use and available for reservations. The Community Kitchen shelter rents for $50 per day for groups up to 50 people.

About

Situated along the rocky banks of the Applegate River at 1,600 feet elevation, McKee Bridge Community Kitchen is a fantastic day-use picnic shelter and registered National Historic Site. The shelter is constructed with large pine timber and features impressive Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) masonry, including a beautiful stone fireplace. Groups frequently reserve the Community Kitchen for special events and wedding ceremonies held on the neighboring historic covered bridge. The day-use area provides direct access to the Applegate River, where visitors enjoy fishing, wading, and swimming in the clear mountain waters. The site features 45 picnic sites, with much of the area flat and easily accessible except for the steps leading down to the river. Located in southwest Oregon within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the area serves as a gateway to nearby attractions including Applegate Lake, the Red Buttes Wilderness Area, and the Mule Mountain Trail. The surrounding landscape offers outdoor enthusiasts year-round opportunities for hiking, fishing, swimming, and winter sports. Applegate Lake, located nearby, is popular for boating, canoeing, cycling, and exploring various trails. The Mule Mountain Trail provides access to the hillsides above the Applegate Valley, winding through the arid ridges of the Siskiyou Mountains where spring wildflowers including dwarf star tulips, lilies, shooting stars, larkspurs, and buttercups create vibrant displays.

Directions

From Jacksonville, travel 6.5 miles south on Highway 238 to Ruch. Turn left onto Upper Applegate Road (County Road 859) and continue south approximately 8 miles to McKee Bridge Day Use Area.

Nearby Campgrounds