Visit Knights Ferry, California
Knights Ferry is a small Gold Rush-era river town on Highway 120, about 15 minutes east of Oakdale — and a genuine destination in its own right, not just a stop along the way to somewhere else. Here's what draws people here, and why 50's Roadhouse makes a great home base for the day.
The Knight's Ferry Covered Bridge
Built in 1863–64, the Knight's Ferry Bridge spans the Stanislaus River and is one of the best-preserved 19th-century wood-and-iron Howe truss covered bridges in the country — and the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi River, at nearly 379 feet. It was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2012.
Stanislaus River Recreation Area
The Knights Ferry Recreation Area on the Stanislaus River is a popular spot for rafting, tubing, kayaking, and picnicking through the warmer months — drawing a steady stream of outdoor recreation visitors to the area all summer.
A Road Trip & Motorcycle Touring Destination
Knights Ferry sits along a well-known scenic driving and motorcycle-touring corridor between Oakdale and the Sierra Nevada foothills toward Yosemite. If you're planning a Highway 120 road trip, this is a natural, historic place to stop, stretch, and eat.
Gold Rush History
Founded in 1849 when William Knight established a trading post and ferry crossing on the Stanislaus River, Knights Ferry was a key crossing point on the Stockton-Sonora Road during the California Gold Rush — making it one of the oldest towns in the region.
Make 50's Roadhouse Your Stop
Whether you're crossing the bridge, coming off the river, or riding through on two wheels or four, we're minutes away and ready with a full menu and a full bar.