The Bridge Creek area began as a way-stop on the first stagecoach route in NE Oregon from Pendleton to the John Day mines. During the mining excitement of the early 1860's, the packers made such improvements on the trail as constructing pole bridges over the creek, hence the name. In 1962, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife began buying land as it became available in order to provide a wintering area for elk. Features at this site include: interpretive trail and signing, day use parking and forest information.