One wooden bridge on this list stretches about 202 feet in a single span. That makes it the longest of its kind in Pennsylvania, all held up by timber from another century.
The range gets fun fast from there. One bridge skips the usual creek and crosses a canal instead, which still makes me grin a little.
I’m curious how wooden roofs from the 1800s keep outlasting my umbrellas. A few of these bridges still let you drive right through, while others are reserved for walkers.
Another bridge carries a surprising chapter of history from July 1863. These roofs have shrugged off nearly two centuries of rain, and your umbrella could never.
1. Historic Sachs Covered Bridge
Few bridges can say two armies used them in the same month. Both Union and Confederate troops crossed this one during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.
The bridge stretches 100 feet over Marsh Creek, a short drive from the famous battlefield. David S. Stoner built it around 1854 using a Town truss design.
That Town truss is the crisscross lattice of wood along the sides. It spreads weight across many small boards instead of a few giant beams.
In 1938, it was named the most historic covered bridge in Pennsylvania. It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Cars stay off these days, and only people on foot can cross. That makes it easy to pause in the middle and look down at the creek.
Families enjoy the spot, and the stream draws people with fishing rods. The water slides gently under the old structure, which keeps things calm and quiet.
Then come the ghost stories. Plenty of people call this bridge haunted, so an evening visit might tempt the brave members of your group.
The bridge stays open around the clock. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than Saturday evenings if you want photos without strangers in them.
Stand at one end and look straight through to the other side. Knowing who marched here makes that simple wooden tunnel feel a lot bigger.
Pair the stop with a battlefield tour for a full day of history. The creek views alone deserve a few photos.
Address: Waterworks Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
2. Historic Poole Forge Covered Bridge
A covered bridge with a playground next door is a rare deal. Kids get to run around, and grown-ups get a slice of Lancaster County history.
Historic Poole Forge sits inside a park in Narvon, out in pretty farm country. A stream runs past the bridge, and walking paths loop through the grounds.
You can drive through this bridge in either direction. Rolling slowly across those wooden boards is half the fun, so take your time.
Prefer to stay a while? Picnic tables, benches, and a grill make it easy to turn a quick stop into a full lunch outing.
Parking is free, which helps when you’re hauling a cooler and a few restless kids. The lot gives you an easy start to the walking trails.
Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, especially Saturdays and Sunday evenings. A weekday visit usually means more elbow room and quieter photos.
The bridge looks well cared for, and the park around it feels tidy and open. It’s the kind of place where a short visit quietly stretches into two hours.
Bring a ball, a blanket, or a sketchpad. The stream and the bridge make a nice backdrop for doing absolutely nothing important.
It also works as an easy stop on a bigger Lancaster County drive. You can enjoy the farmland views on the way in and out.
Historic Poole Forge’s park grounds are open from dawn to dusk, so plan your visit during daylight hours. Just remember that daylight makes the views much better.
Address: 131 S Pool Forge Rd, Narvon, PA 17555.
3. Historic Wertz’s Covered Bridge
Walk across Wertz’s Covered Bridge, and you’ll cover approximately 202 feet of wooden decking without a support pier in the creek.
That makes it the longest single-span covered bridge in Pennsylvania.
Builders finished it in 1867, and it still spans Tulpehocken Creek near Reading. It’s also one of only five covered bridges left in Berks County.
A single span means no piers in the middle of the creek. The whole stretch hangs between its two ends, which is pretty bold for wood.
The bridge sits right along the Union Canal Towpath Trail. That trail is a popular multi-use path, great for walking, jogging, or biking.
Start at the bridge and head out on the trail for a bit. You’ll get creek views, shady stretches, and a nice break from screens.
The surrounding area connects to Wertz’s Red Bridge Recreational Area. You’ll find parking, including accessible spaces, plus room for a picnic.
Families with little ones will appreciate the easy, flat walking. Older kids may enjoy guessing how long it takes to cross end to end.
Photographers, step back a little before snapping. This bridge is so long that close-up shots cut off half of it.
The creek below adds a calm soundtrack to your stroll. It’s an easy place to slow down and breathe for a minute.
Bring comfortable shoes if you plan to explore the trail. You might end up walking farther than you planned.
Address: Red Bridge Rd, Reading, PA 19605.
4. Historic Uhlerstown Covered Bridge
Creeks and rivers get most of the covered bridge love. Over in Bucks County, this one crosses the Delaware Canal instead, which makes it a real oddball.
The bridge dates to 1856 and stretches about 101 feet. It uses a Town lattice truss, a sturdy design featuring a crisscross pattern of wooden beams.
Look closely at the sides, and you’ll spot low-set windows. They’re an unusual touch that lets light and canal views slip in.
It was carefully rebuilt in 1985 using its original materials. That means the wood you see has plenty of old stories in it.
The bridge sits right along the D&L Trail and the canal towpath. Walkers and cyclists get a great view of it from below.
Local cars can still cross, so stay alert if you’re on foot. Light traffic keeps it feeling like a working part of the town.
Quiet is the main mood here. Many mornings and weekday afternoons see few visitors, while Saturday afternoons get busier.
The canal water often sits calm and still. On a good day, it reflects the bridge like a mirror, which photographers love.
Plan a short stroll along the towpath before or after your visit. The flat path makes it easy for nearly any walker.
This spot pairs nicely with a slow Bucks County drive. Take your time and enjoy a bridge that broke the usual rules.
Address: Uhlerstown Hill Rd, Erwinna, PA 18920.
5. Historic Lower Humbert Covered Bridge
Head as far south as Somerset County’s covered bridges go, and you’ll land here. Lower Humbert holds the title of the county’s southernmost covered bridge.
It sits near Confluence in a peaceful rural setting. Rolling countryside surrounds it, so the drive in is part of the reward.
Yes, you can still drive through it. Easing your car across those old boards gives you a quick taste of travel from long ago.
Fall is when this bridge really shows off. It ranks among the most photographed covered bridges in Pennsylvania during leaf season.
Bring a camera and arrive early on autumn weekends. Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons tend to draw more visitors.
The structure is well maintained, which makes it a solid example of classic covered bridge building. It feels sturdy and cared for, not dusty and forgotten.
It works great as a spontaneous stop. Even a ten-minute visit can feel worth the detour if you’re already exploring the area.
Kids can count the boards or look for the creek below. Adults can simply enjoy a quiet moment away from busy highways.
Somerset County has several covered bridges, so this can be part of a bigger tour. Start or finish here for a satisfying southern bookend.
The site is open around the clock, but daylight shows off the scenery best. Golden hour makes the wood glow nicely.
Address: Confluence, PA 15424.
6. Historic Colvin Covered Bridge
Bedford County treats covered bridges like trading cards, and Colvin is a good one to collect first. Several others sit close by, ready for a bridge-hopping afternoon.
Builders put this bridge together around 1880. It still stands in Schellsburg, and caretakers have kept it in impressive shape.
The setting does a lot of the work here. Fields, trees, and a quiet creek give it that classic countryside look.
Nearby, you’ll find Turner, Ryot, Dr. Knisley, and Snooks covered bridges. Plan a loop and you can see several in one easy day.
Take a slow walk around before you leave. Different angles show off the roof, the sides, and the water below.
Crowds stay light most of the time. Tuesday afternoons see the most visitors, while many evenings stay very quiet.
This is a great stop for anyone who enjoys calm places. Sit for a moment and just let the creek do the talking.
Photographers will appreciate the clean lines of the bridge. Morning light often makes the countryside look soft and fresh.
Families can turn the bridge loop into a game. Give the kids a checklist and see who spots each bridge first.
The site stays open around the clock. Still, daytime visits make the scenery shine and the back roads easier to follow.
Address: 707 Mill Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559.
7. Barronvale Covered Bridge
Just over 162 feet of wooden history makes Barronvale the longest covered bridge left in Somerset County. It’s a serious stretch of craftsmanship.
Cars no longer cross here, but your feet are welcome. Walking through lets you study the beams and boards up close.
Take a look at the framing as you go. It shows how builders from long ago made wood strong enough to span a creek.
A historic plaque near the bridge shares some background. Give it a quick read before you start exploring.
Parking is free, with both a lot and street spots available. That makes it easy to hop out and wander around.
The bridge feels quiet and almost forgotten, in the best way. Without traffic rumbling through, you can hear the creek clearly.
Somerset County has quite a few other covered bridges nearby. This one makes a great anchor for a longer drive through the area.
Bring a camera and try shooting from the creek bank. The long body of the bridge looks especially impressive from the side.
Entry is free, and the site stays open around the clock. Saturday afternoons and Sunday evenings tend to draw more visitors.
Kids might enjoy timing how long it takes to walk end to end. Grown-ups might just enjoy the peace and quiet.
Address: Rockwood, PA 15557.
8. Historic Josiah Hess Covered Bridge
Some bridges are quick photo stops, but this one is built for lingering. Picnic tables and a portable restroom make it one of the friendlier stops around.
The Josiah Hess Covered Bridge dates to 1875. It crosses Huntington Creek in Fishing Creek Township, Columbia County.
Restoration work has kept it looking sharp. The wood looks well cared for, and the setting around it is very scenic.
A small parking area sits close by, and it’s free. Trash cans are on site too, which helps keep the spot clean.
Pack a lunch and claim a picnic table. The creek views turn a simple sandwich into a pretty nice meal.
Anglers may want to bring a rod. The creek here is a popular place to cast a line.
Columbia County has a cluster of covered bridges, and this one often wraps up local tours. It makes a relaxing final stop after a long drive.
Walking the bridge is easy and fun. Peek through the ends to frame the creek and hills like a picture.
Busier times include Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. Weekend evenings are often surprisingly calm here.
Photographers will find plenty to work with. The creek, trees, and restored bridge all line up nicely from the bank.
Address: Winding Rd, Orangeville, PA 17859.
9. Historic Dellville Covered Bridge
Fire tried to erase this bridge, but Perry County rebuilt it anyway. That comeback story is a big part of its charm today.
The Dellville Covered Bridge sits near Duncannon over a scenic creek. Its long history follows the growth and changes of the region around it.
After an arson fire, the bridge was reconstructed. The new version keeps the classic covered bridge look that people love.
Right next to it, you’ll find a small park with picnic tables. It’s a great place for lunch with a view.
Paddlers, take note. There’s a canoe put-in spot here, so you can launch a boat right near the bridge.
Picture-taking is popular, and for good reason. The bridge and creek make a classic Pennsylvania scene.
Families will find plenty of room to relax. Kids can explore the picnic grounds while adults enjoy the calm water.
Try visiting on a sunny morning when the light hits the creek. The reflections can make your photos look extra crisp.
Perry County has a quiet, rural feel, and this spot fits right in. The drive out is a nice break from busy roads.
Bring a cooler, a paddle, or just a good book. This little park makes it easy to stay longer than planned.
Address: Covered Bridge Ln, Duncannon, PA 17020.
10. Waterford Covered Bridge
Good news travels slowly on back roads, so here it is plainly. The Waterford Covered Bridge has been restored and is open again.
You’ll find it on Niemeyer Road in Waterford, up in Erie County. It’s a proud local landmark in northwestern Pennsylvania.
After its complete restoration, the bridge welcomes both cars and walkers. That means you can roll through or stroll across.
Locals celebrated its reopening, and you can see why. A bridge like this connects a community to its past.
Visiting is easy, since it’s open around the clock. Sunday mornings are often among the quietest times to stop by.
Bring the kids and let them guess how old the timbers might be. Then remind them that people kept this wooden bridge going for generations.
Take a short walk around the area for different angles. The rural setting adds a peaceful feel to your photos.
It’s a great reason to explore Erie County beyond the lake. Back roads here offer farm views and small-town charm.
Drive slowly through the bridge to enjoy the sound of the boards. It’s a simple thrill that never seems to get old.
This makes a fitting last stop for the list. After all these miles, your map might look like a very scenic scribble.
Address: 695-699 Niemeyer Rd, Waterford, PA 16441.