From the bright facades to the meandering creeks below, covered bridges boast a truly undeniable charm. In their prime, which was largely the mid to late 1800s, there were more than 12,000 covered bridges across the country. Today, there are fewer than 1,000 with most of them residing in Vermont. Some bridges are walking only, some are prohibited entirely from use, but all are still as stunning as ever. Here are some of the most beautiful covered bridges in the U.S.
Covered Bridges in the U.S. You Need to Visit
1. Humpback Covered Bridge
Covington, Virginia
Humpback Covered Bridge is the first of many wooden covered bridges on our list and it’s the oldest of its kind in Virginia. It’s also quite clear how it got its name! In fact, the 100-foot-long structure spanning Dunlap Creek stands 4 feet taller at its center than at the ends.
2. Bridgeport Covered Bridge
Penn Valley, California
Originally built in 1862, the Bridgeport Covered Bridge is one of the most beautiful out west. The bridge recently underwent restoration work but has re-opened to pedestrians as of last year. It’s located in the South Yuba River State Park and is the only remaining single-span covered wooden bridge of its size in the country.
3. Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge
Colrain, Massachusetts
Colrain used to be home to 12 covered bridges until several were destroyed in a flood. The Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge was constructed in the late 1860s and is the last one remaining in Colrain. It’s the only Burr truss bridge in the state and is open to pedestrians and cyclists only.
4. Gold Brook Covered Bridge
Stowe, Vermont
Referred to by locals as Emily’s Bridge, the Gold Brook Covered Bridge has a darker history than others on our list. The 50-foot-long bridge was built in 1844 and is still open to cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. However, most visitors to the bridge come after hearing the infamous tale about Emily – a broken-hearted girl who took her own life on the bridge and is said to still haunt the area.
5. Horton Bridge
South Range, Wisconsin
Horton Bridge is located in Wisconsin’s beautiful Amnicon State Park. There are a few things that set Horton Bridge apart from the rest. 1) It overlooks a stunning waterfall! And 2) the design of the bridge completely eliminated the need for bolts and rivets which meant heavy machinery and other tools weren’t needed to complete the construction of the bridge.
6. Roseman Covered Bridge
Winterset, Iowa
The Roseman Covered Bridge is best known for its inclusion in Robert James Waller’s novel, The Bridges of Madison County, and the feature film of the same name. At 107-feet-long, it spans the Middle River and still sits in its original location.
7. Newfield Covered Bridge
Newfield, New York
The total construction cost of the Newfield Covered Bridge back in 1853 was about $800 which equates to roughly $30,000 today! It crosses the West Branch of Cayuga Creek and is the oldest covered bridge with daily use in the state.
8. Sach’s Covered Bridge
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Utilized by both Union and Confederate troops during the Battle of Gettysburg, Sach’s Covered Bridge certainly boasts a past rich with history. It was built in 1852 and is largely regarded as the most historic, and most haunted, bridge in the state.
9. Cilley Covered Bridge
Tunbridge, Vermont
The Cilley Covered Bridge, like many others on our list, was originally built in the late 1800s. However, it was rebuilt in the same design using brand new lumber in 2009. The one-lane bridge is 66 feet in length and spans the First Branch of the White River.
10. Short Bridge
Cascadia, Oregon
The Short Bridge is one of the youngest on our list with construction completed in 1945. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the late 1970s and is accessible both by foot and by car.
11. Wawona Covered Bridge
Wawona, California
Located in Yosemite National Park, the Wawona Covered Bridge was built by Galen Clark in 1857. It originally was not covered, but a roof was added to protect the integrity of the bridge a little more than 20 years later.
12. Sunday River Bridge
Newry, Maine
Sunday River Bridge is one of the most beautiful covered bridges in the U.S. In fact, it’s often called Artist’s Bridge because of the number of artists that flock to the bridge to paint it and photograph it. Today, it’s one of only nine remaining covered bridges in Maine.
13. Campbell’s Covered Bridge
Landrum, South Carolina
Located in Greenville County, in the northern part of the state, Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the last remaining bridge of its kind in South Carolina. It’s a beautiful Howe truss bridge and was critical to transportation after it was built in 1909.
14. A.M. Foster Covered Bridge
Cabot, Vermont
The A.M. Foster Covered Bridge may be small in size, but it’s big on charm! Unlike many other covered bridges that span rivers or large streams, Foster Bridge simply crosses a small ravine on a beautiful piece of farmland. Today, the bridge is far too small to accommodate modern-day farm equipment but it remains a cherished relic among the landowners.
15. Flume Covered Bridge
Lincoln, New Hampshire
Built in the Paddleford truss style, Flume Covered Bridge is a beautiful bridge in an equally as beautiful setting: Franconia Notch State Park. The bridge leads to a popular part of the park called the Flume and accommodates both scenic tour buses and foot traffic.
16. Stark Covered Bridge
Groveton, New Hampshire
The stunning Stark Bridge is certainly a beauty to behold. But, it’s faced several obstacles over its century of existence. In fact, Stark Bridge was sent downstream by flooding in the 1890s and was destroyed again in the 1940s and once more in the 1950s. After a handful of restoration projects and repairs, the Stark Bridge was returned to its former glory and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.