Covered bridges are part of Pennsylvania’s charm. With more than 200 still standing, they connect us to a slower time—horse-drawn wagons, quiet country roads, and craftsmanship that has lasted more than a century. But alongside their beauty, some of these bridges carry chilling tales. Whispered voices, phantom footsteps, and tragedies that echo long after the wooden planks have aged.

If you love a good ghost story, join me as I cross through some of the most haunted covered bridges in Pennsylvania.

Sheeder-Hall Bridge, built in 1850, is Chester County’s oldest surviving covered bridge. It’s not just historic—it’s also said to be haunted.

Visitors have spotted glowing orbs of light floating inside the bridge at night, only to disappear the moment they approach. Others report the unnerving sound of footsteps behind them, though the bridge is empty.

Because of its rural setting, Sheeder-Hall is wrapped in quiet stillness, amplifying every sound and shadow. The creaks of the old wood, the rush of water below, and the play of moonlight create the perfect backdrop for ghostly encounters. For locals, it’s a bridge that blends beauty and mystery, a reminder that history never fully lets go.

This 1867 bridge has a somber reputation tied to a devastating flood that once swept through the area. Entire families lost their lives to the raging waters, and many believe their spirits remain bound to the bridge.

Visitors often speak of hearing soft weeping or whispers along the planks. Paranormal investigators have caught eerie recordings of voices calling out, though no one is there. Even in daylight, Pinetown carries a quiet sadness.

By day, the bridge is a picture of Lancaster charm. But after dark, with the silence of the countryside pressing in, it takes on an eerie weight. The idea that the cries of flood victims still echo through its rafters makes Pinetown one of Lancaster’s most chilling haunted sites.

Hunsecker’s Mill Bridge is the longest single-span covered bridge in Lancaster County, stretching over 180 feet across the Conestoga River.

The river, while beautiful, has also been deadly. Several drownings have been reported here, and many locals believe those spirits linger at the bridge.

Drivers report headlights flickering mysteriously while crossing, while others hear splashes followed by chilling cries for help. On a foggy night, the bridge feels especially heavy with energy, as though history is trying to reach out from the darkness.

Built in 1841, Bitzer’s Mill Covered Bridge carries with it a tragic story. Legend says a little girl drowned in the waters nearby, and her spirit has never left.

Visitors report sudden cold spots, unexplained shadows, and the unmistakable sound of children crying. Some claim that if you linger too long, you’ll hear faint splashes in the water below—as though the tragedy is replaying itself over and over.

Paranormal investigators have recorded what they believe are children’s voices calling for help. Whether you believe in spirits or not, the atmosphere here—especially on foggy nights—can leave even the most skeptical visitor unsettled.

At 85 feet tall, Knapp’s Covered Bridge is the highest covered bridge in Pennsylvania and a marvel of engineering from 1860.

But it has another claim to fame: ghost stories. Local legend says a farmer hanged himself here long ago, and his presence still lingers. Travelers at night report seeing shadowy figures inside the bridge, only to vanish when approached.

Others describe cold mists forming suddenly under the bridge or hearing footsteps on the planks when they are alone. The structure itself groans and shifts, and while some blame the age of the wood, others are convinced it’s the restless farmer pacing back and forth. Its isolated setting only heightens the eerie feeling.

Sonestown Bridge, built in 1850, spans Muncy Creek in the Endless Mountains region. It has the distinction of being one of the few covered bridges left in Sullivan County, but what makes it remarkable is its folklore.

Locals tell of phantom wagon wheels rattling over the planks, horses neighing in the distance, and lantern lights bobbing at night along the water—though no travelers are there.

Some say these sounds are echoes from the past, tied to when the bridge was a busy route for farmers and lumber haulers. Others believe tragedies along the creek left spirits forever bound to the crossing. Standing inside the darkened bridge, with the sound of rushing water amplified by the wooden walls, many have reported feeling watched by unseen eyes.

No list of haunted bridges in Pennsylvania would be complete without Sachs Bridge. Built in 1854, it served as a critical crossing for troops during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Thousands of soldiers marched across it, and some never left. According to lore, three Confederate soldiers were hanged from the bridge for desertion, leaving their spirits to linger.

People have reported smelling cigar smoke (though no one is around), hearing the sound of boots marching, and even capturing ghostly orbs and figures on camera. The most unsettling tales come from those who’ve walked across at night—some describe voices calling their names, while others feel an icy hand brush against them. Even skeptics admit that the atmosphere here is unnerving, especially given the weight of history surrounding Gettysburg.

Built in 1875, Van Sant Covered Bridge in Bucks County has long been called “Crybaby Bridge,” a name it shares with other haunted bridges across the country. The legend here is particularly chilling.

One version tells of a young unwed mother who, unable to care for her child, brought her baby to the bridge and leapt into the creek. Another story suggests hangings took place here in the 1800s, with spirits left behind to haunt the structure.

Visitors claim to hear the sound of an infant crying beneath the timbers, or phantom footsteps following them as they walk through. Some have even felt sudden cold spots, while others say car engines sometimes stall in the middle of the bridge without explanation. Paranormal investigators have recorded whispers—often warning them to “leave.” Whether you believe the stories or not, Van Sant’s quiet, shadowy interior is enough to make you think twice before crossing at night.

If this post has sparked your curiosity, you don’t have to stop here. I’ve created a special section on my website all about covered bridges —from Pennsylvania’s charming covered bridges to impressive steel giants and even quirky roadside crossings. You’ll find history, photos, and stories that celebrate these remarkable structures.

👉 Explore More Covered Bridges Here

Pennsylvania’s covered bridges tell stories of craftsmanship and community—but some also tell stories of tragedy and lingering spirits. From the battlefield cries of Sachs Bridge to the eerie legends of Van Sant and the unexplained lights of Sheeder-Hall, these bridges prove that not all history rests quietly.

So, the next time you find yourself on a backroad in Pennsylvania, take the detour. Park the car. Step onto the weathered planks. And listen closely—you may just hear echoes of the past reaching out through the silence.