There’s something timeless about a covered bridge. These historic wooden structures are scattered across the American landscape, each one a reminder of a simpler era when horse-drawn wagons and early automobiles rumbled over creaky floorboards, protected from the weather by the bridge’s iconic roof and walls.

Today, these charming bridges are more than just relics — they’re beloved landmarks, scenic photo ops, and treasured parts of local heritage. Whether you’re planning a road trip to see a few or you just love learning about America’s past, let’s take a journey through the story of covered bridges in the United States.

Covered bridges first appeared in the United States in the early 1800s. The very first was built in 1805 over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known as the Permanent Bridge, it was designed by Timothy Palmer and set the stage for thousands more to come.

But why cover a bridge? The simple answer is durability. Wooden bridges exposed to rain, snow, and sun would quickly deteriorate. By adding a roof and siding, builders could protect the timber trusses, extending a bridge’s life from just 10-15 years to more than 70 or even 100 years.

Throughout the 19th century, covered bridges popped up wherever rivers and streams needed crossing — especially in the Northeast and Midwest. Each bridge showcased the craftsmanship of local builders and engineers, many of whom developed their own unique truss designs, like the Burr Arch or the Town Lattice.

At their peak in the 1800s, the United States had an estimated 12,000 covered bridges. Today, that number has dwindled to around 700-1,000, thanks to modernization, floods, fires, and neglect. But these survivors are now fiercely protected by local historical societies, states, and bridge enthusiasts.

Fun fact: Pennsylvania still holds the record for the most covered bridges in the country, with over 200 remaining!

While covered bridges can be found from Oregon to Georgia, some states are truly famous for them. Here are a few must-visit regions if you’re planning a covered bridge road trip:

• Vermont: Known for its rolling hills and classic red bridges. The state has over 100 covered bridges, including the longest in the U.S. — the Cornish-Windsor Bridge (shared with New Hampshire).

• Pennsylvania: A covered bridge lover’s dream, with scenic routes like the Bucks County Covered Bridge Tour or the Columbia-Montour loop.

• Ohio: Boasts more than 100 covered bridges. Ashtabula County is home to the longest single-span covered bridge in the U.S., the Smolen-Gulf Bridge.

• Indiana: Parke County calls itself the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World” and hosts an annual festival each October.

• Oregon: Known for its charming covered bridges in Lane and Linn Counties — some still drivable!

Here are just a few noteworthy covered bridges to add to your travel list:
✅ Roseman Covered Bridge (Iowa) — Made famous by The Bridges of Madison County
✅ Humpback Covered Bridge (Virginia) — The oldest in the state, built in 1857
✅ Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge (NH/VT) — The longest wooden covered bridge in the country
✅ Red Covered Bridge (Illinois) — A beautiful example near Princeton, IL
✅ Knight’s Ferry Bridge (California) — The longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi

Many communities celebrate these beloved structures with covered bridge festivals, self-guided driving tours, or historical tours that bring the stories behind the bridges to life.

Some popular events:

• Parke County Covered Bridge Festival (Indiana)

• Madison County Covered Bridge Festival (Iowa)

• Columbia-Montour Covered Bridge Festival (Pennsylvania)

• EQT Washington & Green Counties covered Bridge Festival ( Pennsylvania

In Central Ohio, Union County hosts a truly enchanting event called “Dine on a Covered Bridge”. Held on summer and early fall weekends, this experience begins with a charming historic trolley tour that takes guests past several of the county’s seven lovely covered bridges. The highlight? A farm-to-table lunch or dinner served right on the Pottersburg Covered Bridge, featuring locally sourced cuisine paired with craft beer or wine from nearby wineries — all topped off with live entertainment and a scenic, unforgettable setting

 It’s not just a meal—it’s a celebration of local heritage, flavors, and the storied charm of covered bridges.

I am defintely getting on the list for this! 

Plan a loop: Many counties have mapped routes that take you from bridge to bridge.
📸 Bring a camera: These bridges look stunning in every season, but fall foliage adds an extra magic touch.
🚗 Drive carefully: Some bridges still allow cars — respect weight limits and drive slowly.
📚 Learn the history: Many have plaques or local legends. It’s part of the fun!

Covered bridges connect us to a time when engineering was practical, beautiful, and built by hand. They’re reminders of our rural heritage and the communities that rallied to preserve them. Visiting one — or many — is like stepping back into a piece of living history.

So the next time you spot a covered bridge sign on your travels, make a detour. Walk through it, snap a photo, and imagine the echo of horses’ hooves or wagon wheels rolling through the past.

Curious where to find these historic treasures? While covered bridges once dotted nearly every state, today you’ll find the highest numbers mostly in the Northeast and Midwest — plus a few surprising spots out West. Here’s a quick look at how many covered bridges remain in each state:

 Pennsylvania: ~210                                      Vermont: ~100+
Ohio: ~125+                                                     Indiana: ~90+
New Hampshire: ~50+                                   Oregon: ~50+
New York: ~30+                                              Iowa: ~20+
Virginia: ~7                                                   California: ~10
Georgia: ~15                                                 West Virginia – 17 

 Wisconsin: ~5

(Numbers vary by source and some bridges are restored or relocated, but these estimates show just how many pieces of history are still out there to discover!)

Covered bridges are more than just structures — they’re stories. Whether you’re on a mission to see every one in your state or you simply stumble upon one on a back road, these historic crossings are some of America’s most charming roadside treasures.

I’m especially excited because I’ll be exploring all of the 210 covered bridges here in Pennsylvania — it’s a big goal, but what an adventure! I’ll also be looking into covered bridges across Ohio, New York, and beyond, so stay tuned as I share my travels, photos, and stories from each stop along the way.

So the next time you spot a covered bridge sign on your travels, make a detour. Walk through it, snap a photo, and imagine the echo of horses’ hooves or wagon wheels rolling through the past.