8 Surviving Historic Covered Bridges in the US Begging to Be on Your Bucket List

Let’s go back to a simpler time to explore the surviving historic covered bridges in the US!

From the bright facades to the meandering creeks below, surviving historic covered bridges boast a truly undeniable charm.

They evoke a special feeling about life in America, making a person think about horses and buggies, barn raising, gold rushes, and bygone eras when young lovers “courted” each other.

While you no longer need to drive a horse and buggy to visit them (unless, of course, you want to), these bridges are excellent places to enjoy a picnic, take a leisurely hike, or explore our country’s beautiful foliage.

And even though, over the years, many of them have fallen into disrepair and faded away, these 8 surviving historic covered bridges in the US have remained thanks to towns dedicated to preserving historic sites.

While you’re at it, you may also want to chase a few waterfalls because most of the places on our list have a few nearby!

Hyde Hall Bridge in Cooperstown, New York

One of the oldest surviving historic covered bridges in the US is located here. Many know Cooperstown as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

But it’s also home to Hyde Hall Covered Bridge, and it’s the oldest documented covered bridge in New York as well.

Constructed in 1825, it’s located at the northern tip of Otsego Lake in Glimmerglass State Park and bears pedestrian traffic across Shadow Brook, according to the New York State Covered Bridge Society.

Fun Fact: It’s one of only three covered bridges in this state that has horizontal siding.

West Cornwall Covered Bridge in West Cornwall, Connecticut

After years of trying and failing to construct a bridge to span the Housatonic River, the 172-foot-long West Cornwall Covered Bridge was constructed in 1841 and continues to carry traffic today.

But that doesn’t mean the longevity of this surviving historic covered bridge hasn’t come with problems. In fact, the bridge’s safety was questioned as traffic increased, leading to its temporary closure in the 20s.

In 1945 a 20-ton oil tanker fell through the floor of the bridge, and in 1968, the local community ultimately petitioned to have it renovated.

In 1973, the state’s Department of Transportation inserted a steel support deck that has kept the structure strong well into the 21st century and even won an award from the Federal Highway Administration for historic preservation.

The bridge has become one of the most famous surviving historic covered bridges in the US!

So much so that it inspired historian Michael Gannett to pen “A Historical Guide to the West Cornwall Covered Bridge,” earning it a spot in the opening of the 1967 movie “Valley of the Dolls.”

Weddle Covered Bridge in Sweet Home, Oregon

This one is one of the most beautiful surviving historic covered bridges in the US you can still see today, thanks to protesters!

After building a concrete bridge further down the road in 1980, the Weddle Covered Bridge fell into decline, was considered unsafe, and was slated for demolition in the coming years.

But this sparked outrage among the local bridge lovers, leading to protests and one person even chaining himself to a bulldozer.

All of this drew the attention of Senator Mae Yih, a covered bridge enthusiast herself, who led the Oregon Legislature to launch the Oregon Covered Bridge Program, helping cover the costs of maintaining and repairing Oregon’s covered bridges.

The Weddle Covered Bridge was the first to obtain a grant from this program, and in 1989, this surviving historic covered bridge was moved to its present location over Ames Creek.

Roseman Covered Bridge in Winterset, Iowa

Made popular by the book and movie “The Bridges of Madison County,” Iowa’s Roseman Covered Bridge is one of six, and arguably one of the most famous surviving historic covered bridges in the US, remaining bridges of the original 19 establishments erected in the region.

The bridge, built in 1883, is famous for being the romantic backdrop for Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, but it’s also rumored to be haunted. According to sources, two eerie folktales involve this bridge.

The first tells the story of a father’s objection to his daughter’s boyfriend. One night, the young man rode toward his lover’s home, planning to be with her but found her father and his buddies instead.

They chased him across Roseman Bridge, but the young gentleman disappeared when the horse emerged from the other side.

The second story about this surviving historic covered bridge tells the tale of an escaped convict who was blocked off on both sides of the bridge by law enforcement. He apparently screamed, and disappeared into thin air, never to be found again!

The Artist’s Bridge in Newry, Maine

All artists have their muse, right? Well, for John Joseph Enneking, one of our country’s first impressionist painters, it was the Sunday River Bridge in Newry.

According to history, after this young man finished his duty as a Union soldier in the Civil War, he devoted his life to painting. He became so adept that he was among the foremost Americans to paint Claude Monet’s Garden.

Throughout the years, Enneking became a pro at painting the New England area’s landscapes and, though he lived in Boston, adored traveling to Newry.

Enneking was seen painting en plein air near this surviving historic covered bridge so often that it became commonly referred to as Artist’s Bridge.

…We can see why! This is one of the most beautiful surviving historic covered bridges in the US!

Humpback Covered Bridge in Covington, Virginia

Constructed in 1857, Humpback Bridge is Virginia’s oldest remaining covered bridge, according to Virginia’s Department of Transportation. Running 100 feet across Dunlap Creek, it’s 4 feet higher in the middle, giving the bridge an iconic arched frame.

The bridge hadn’t seen much traffic since 1929, and for a considerable amount of years, it was ignored and became rundown. In fact, at one point, a local farmer used the bridge to store his hay.

But in 1954, this surviving historic covered bridge was reopened to the masses as a tourism hot spot, following local fundraising endeavors to restore it to its original beauty.

The Horton Mill Covered Bridge in Oneonta, Alabama

Towering 70 feet above the Calvert Prong of the Little Warrior River, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge in Oneonta is the most elevated covered bridge above a body of water in our country, according to the state of Alabama’s official website.

Made in 1935, the 208-foot-long surviving historic covered bridge is one of 3 bridges in Blount County, making it the state’s covered bridge capital! Unfortunately, this one also fell into neglect for a while.

But after a hefty renovation in 2013, the spectacular bridge reopened to traffic. Today, it features a dedicated nature trail, a popular spot for local bird watchers to spot migratory and resident birds. So be sure to pack a picnic while you’re here.

And it’s also the site of Alabama’s annual Covered Bridge Festival.

The Felton Covered Bridge in Felton, California

Initially built in 1892 as the main access point into Felton, the Felton Covered Bridge is merely used nowadays for pedestrian traffic. But it doesn’t make it any less beautiful.

It extends 80 feet across the San Lorenzo River and rises at a whopping 35 feet tall, making it the country’s tallest surviving historic covered bridge. This one is yet another bridge reportedly haunted. Apparently, it’s by the ghost of a woman killed, accused of being a witch.

Fun Fact: The Cornish-Windsor Bridge, connecting New Hampshire to Vermont, is the longest wooden bridge in the nation, at 449 feet.

Here at Must See Places, we love hearing from our readers. So be sure to let us know if you’ve ever been to any of these surviving historic covered bridges in the US and which ones were YOUR favorites!

Meanwhile, we also highly recommend reading about 7 Nostalgic Travel Destinations in the US Where You’ll Relive Your Best Memories