Bedford County, Pennsylvania, is home to 14 historic covered bridges, and visiting them offers a great chance to explore some of the most beautiful parts of the Alleghenies.
Most of these bridges are located within a short distance of Interstate 99, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or Route 30, but several require a bit of a drive to reach, especially those in the south.
These bridges in this guide have been divided into four different sections: Western Bridges, Northwestern Bridges, Eastern Bridges, and Southern Bridges.
Other than the southern bridges they are listed in a way that would make sense for a driving tour of the bridges starting in Bedford, PA, and ending in Breezewood. As for the southern covered bridges, they are very isolated, and while worth the drive, aren’t close to much of anything else.
Take a few minutes to learn about the history and beauty of the incredible covered bridges of Bedford County, PA, and then start planning your road trip to these great spots.
Western Bedford County Covered Bridges
The covered bridges in western Bedford County are located between Bedford, PA and the area around Shawnee State Park. They are all south of the Lincoln Highway.
While all of the bridges in the county are worth visiting, these four are some of the easiest to reach due to their proximity to major highways and the town of Bedford.
They are listed below roughly east to west.
Claycomb Covered Bridge
Claycomb Covered Bridge is located at the entrance to Old Bedford Village in Bedford, PA. While it’s located at the site, you don’t have to visit the museum to see the bridge as it’s owned by the county and not the village.
Claycomb Covered Bridge was built in 1880 in Reynoldsdale, PA, about 15 minutes north of its current location. Because of this, it’s sometimes known as Reynoldsdale Covered Bridge. It was moved to its present location in 1975 when Old Bedford Village was being established.
The bridge is 126 feet long and currently carries vehicles over the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River.
Getting There: Claycomb Covered Bridge is located north of downtown Bedford and near the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It can be found at the following coordinates: 40.040439, -78.507104.
You can also use the address for Old Bedford Village: 220 Sawblade Rd, Bedford, PA 15522.
If you are visiting the village, you can simply walk to the bridge from their parking area. If you aren’t, there is room for several cars to pull off the road just before crossing the bridge.
Heirline Covered Bridge
Heirline Covered Bridge is located west of downtown Bedford near Manns Choice, PA, and Coral Caverns.
This bridge crosses the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and, at 136 feet, is the longest covered bridge in Bedford County. It was built in 1902, which makes it the most recently constructed of the county’s historic covered bridges.
Like many covered bridges in the county, it features white fencing leading up to the bridge and openings across the bridge that let in light.
Getting There: Heirline Covered Bridge is located along Watson Road/Old Forbes Trail, a short distance after the road crosses over the PA Turnpike.
It can be found at the following coordinate: 40.016777, -78.593213.
There is room for cars to pull off of the road on the far side of the bridge.
Turner’s Covered Bridge
Turner’s Covered Bridge (also known as Raystown Covered Bridge and Diehls Covered Bridge) is the furthest upstream of the covered bridges located on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River in Bedford County (though there is one covered bridge in Somerset County that also crosses the river).
The exact date that Turner’s Covered Bridge was built isn’t known for sure, but it is thought to have been constructed sometime around 1892. It is 88 feet long.
The road that it is on dead-ends at the PA Turnpike shortly after crossing over the bridge, so even if you are able to drive across it, there’s nothing to see beyond the bridge.
Getting There: Turner’s Covered Bridge is located just off of Route 31 west of Bedford, PA. It can be found along Faupel Road at the following coordinates: 40.009599, -78.648515.
There is room for several cars to pull off of the road prior to crossing the bridge.
Colvin Covered Bridge
Colvin Covered Bridge is located along the western edge of Shawnee State Park, just about a mile from Route 30 and the community of Schellsburg.
This covered bridge utilizes a King-post truss, one of only two covered bridges in Bedford County to not use a Burr-arch truss. As with most King-post bridges, this one is fairly short at only 66 feet in length. However, after a recent refurbishment, it’s a very beautiful bridge to see.
The bridge crosses over Shawnee Creek just before its dammed to create Shanwee Lake in the heart of the park.
Getting There: Colvin Covered Bridge is located along Mill Road just south of the Lincoln Highway. It can be found at the following coordinates: 40.038080, -78.654352.
There is a decent size parking area on the north side of the bridge. This is also a trailhead for the 0.4-mile Colvin Trail that runs in a loop from the bridge to the lake and a boat ramp along Route 96.
Northwestern Bedford County Covered Bridges
The five covered bridges in northwestern Bedford County are all located north of Route 30 and west of I-99. Driving along Route 96 is the easiest way to see all of these beautiful bridges.
The bridges below are listed south to north and can easily be connected to a driving tour after seeing the bridges in the section above.
Cuppett’s Covered Bridge
Cuppett’s Covered Bridge is located in New Paris, PA, just a short drive from the famous Gravity Hill.
This is one of the few covered bridges in the county that you can no longer drive across, but it is is fairly good condition despite that. It is privately owned, but when I visited, it appeared that visitors were allowed to check out the site.
This bridge was constructed in 1882 and spans 60 feet over Dunning Creek. Unlike many of the nearby bridges, this one is unpainted.
Getting There: Cuppett’s Covered Bridge is located just off of Route 96 and can be found at the following coordinates: 40.116110, -78.639718.
While the bridge can be seen from Route 96, there is nowhere to park along this roadway, so those wanting to take a closer look will want to access it via Manges Road.
As a reminder, this bridge is located on private property, so please be respectful when visiting. Should the bridge be closed to the public in the future, it can still be easily seen from the road.
Ryot Covered Bridge
Ryot Covered Bridge is located about 2 miles north of New Paris, PA, and, like Cuppett’s Covered Bridge, crosses Dunning Creek. However, unlike Cuppett’s, this bridge is publically owned and open to traffic.
This covered bridge was constructed sometime in the 1880s and is 84 feet long.
Sadly, in 2002, the bridge was heavily destroyed by arson. While much of its historical wood was lost, it was rebuilt and opened again in 2004. Today, it’s one of the most beautiful covered bridges in Bedford County.
Getting There: Ryot Covered Bridge is located a short distance off of Route 96 along Bowser Road. It can be found at the following coordinates: 40.142302, -78.624415.
There is a bit of room to pull off onto the side of the road on both sides of the bridge.
Dr. Kniseley Covered Bridge
Dr. Kniseley Covered Bridge is located just outside of Pleasantville, PA, and also crosses Dunning Creek. Dr. Joseph H. Kniseley was a local doctor who acquired several farms during his time in the area. One of them included this beautiful covered bridge.
This bridge is also located on private property, but is alongside the road and seems open for people to respectfully visit (Please just enjoy it from the road should signage appear in the future).
Dr. Kniseley Covered Bridge was constructed in 1867 and is 80 feet long.
Getting There: Dr. Kniseley Covered Bridge is located just off of Route 56, a short distance southeast of Pleasantville, PA. It can be found at the following coordinates: 40.165426, -78.591771.
There is a pull-off big enough for a couple of cars adjacent to the bridge along Dunnings Creek Road.
Snook’s Covered Bridge
Snook’s Covered Bridge is the furthest downstream of the four covered bridges that cross Dunning Creek. It is located near Pleasantville, PA, only a short distance from Dr. Knisley Covered Bridge.
This county-owned bridge is 82 feet long and was named after local resident Jacob Snooks. It was completed in 1883.
Snook’s Covered Bridge is located in a beautiful part of the county and is surrounded by farmland. One of my favorite aspects of this bridge is the long white picket fence that leads directly into the bridge.
Getting There: Snook’s Covered Bridge is located west of Route 56 and south of Pleasantville, PA. It can be found at the following coordinates: 40.169301, -78.579565.
There is a large area to pull off along the road on the northern side of the bridge.
Bowser Covered Bridge
Bowser Covered Bridge is the northernmost historic covered bridge in Bedford County. It is located near Osterburg, PA, a few miles west of I-99, and near the Lost Children of the Alleghenies Monument, the second-highest point in PA, and the Pavia Lookout Loop Trail in Blue Knob State Park.
This bridge (which is also called Osterburg Covered Bridge in some sources) was built in 1890 and crosses Bobs Creek, a tributary of Dunning Creek.
Bowser Covered Bridge uses a Burr arch truss and is 90 feet long. It was bypassed by a new bridge in the 1970s and is closed to traffic.
Getting There: Bowser Covered Bridge is located along Route 869 near Osterburg, Pennsylvania. It can be found at the following coordinates: 40.176941, -78.541371.
There is a good size pull-off along Route 869 for people who want to get a closer look at this bridge.
Eastern Bedford County Covered Bridges
The covered bridges in Eastern Bedford County are all located fairly close to Breezewood, a busy travel area where the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 70 meet (or split, depending on which way you are traveling).
The first bridge listed is approximately 20 minutes north of Breezewood while the last two are just south of town. These bridges are well-worth visiting either before or after a visit to the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike.
They are listed below from north to south, which is also west to east.
Halls Mill Covered Bridge
I’ve visited over 200 historic covered bridges in Pennsylvania, and Halls Mill Covered Bridge is easily one of my favorites. Located about 20 minutes north of Breezewood, this bridge is set in a beautiful valley and is in pristine condition.
Halls Mill Covered Bridge crosses Yellow Creek and is 91 feet in length. It was built in 1872.
Like many of the other covered bridges in Bedford County, Halls Mill Covered Bridge is painted white with red trim. Its sides are open, offering great views into the creek below while standing on the bridge itself.
While a 20-minute diversion might sound like a lot to see one covered bridge, this one is definitely worth the excursion.
Getting There: Halls Mill Covered Bridge is located in northern Bedford County about 20 minutes north of Breezewood. It can be found at the following coordinates: 40.124261, -78.317176.
Parking here is quite easy as there is plenty of room to pull off on St. Paul’s Church Road.
Note: Don’t confuse this bridge with the similarly named Halls Mills Covered Bridge in the Catskills.
Feltons Mill Covered Bridge
In contrast to the great condition of many of the county’s historic bridges, Feltons Mill Covered Bridge is in very poor condition. Sadly, this privately-owned structure is quickly being lost to time and nature. Given that it’s located next to the original Feltons Mill, it would be great to see these structures rehabilitated.
Feltons Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1882 and is 105 feet long. It crosses Brush Creek downstream of Jacksons Mill Covered Bridge.
When I visited this bridge in the past, it appeared to be accessible to the public. However, since it is on private property, always look for no trespassing signs and make sure to respect the rights of the property owner.
If you can’t access the property, it is still possible to get at least a glimpse of this bridge from the concrete bridge on East Mattie Road.
Getting There: Feltons Mill Covered Bridge is located 1.5 miles west of Jacksons Mill Covered Bridge and four miles from Breezewood. It can be found at the following coordinates: 39.973001, -78.289501.
There is a bit of room to pull off of the road along the southern banks of Brush Creek. Keep in mind that this bridge is on private property.
While it may be possible to still walk up and take a closer look at the bridge, it might also be best to observe it from the public roadway.
Jacksons Mill Covered Bridge
Jacksons Mill Covered Bridge is located just a few miles southwest of Breezewood, Pennsylvania.
One of two similarly named historic covered bridges in Pennsylvania (the other is in Washington County), this bridge is one of the most unique in Pennsylvania. That’s because a portion of the span across Brush Creek is not covered.
This uncovered span of the bridge gives Jacksons Mill Covered Bridge a unique look that’s worth seeing even if you’ve visited dozens of other Pennsylvania Covered Bridges.
Jacksons Mill Covered Bridge was built in 1889 and is 91 feet in length. It was refurbished just a few years ago and is one of the best-looking bridges in the region.
Nearby, Jackson Mill still sits next to the bridge. While it is privately owned, it’s great to see this historic structure in decent condition.
Getting There: Jacksons Mill Covered Bridge is located in a picturesque valley just three miles southwest of the main drag in Breezewood. It can be found at the following coordinates: 39.971226, -78.271761.
Parking here is a bit tricky due to private property, but there is room to pull off to the side of the road near the bridge at the intersection of Jackson Mill Road and Covered Bridge Road.
Southern Bedford County Covered Bridges
When I say that the two covered bridges in southern Bedford County are two of the most isolated covered bridges in Pennsylvania, I’m not exaggerating. Both require traveling over 20 miles south from Route 30, the closest major road in PA, along narrow two-lane roads to reach.
These two bridges are only 13 miles apart as a bird flies, but the fastest route between them takes 40 minutes, covers 28 miles, and requires traveling south to Cumberland, Maryland, before returning to Pennsylvania to see the second bridge.
However, despite this difficulty, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the beauty of these historic bridges.
Hewitt Covered Bridge
I’ve visited nearly all of Pennsylvania’s historic covered bridges, and I don’t believe that there is a more remote bridge than Hewitt Covered Bridge. This bridge is located 20 miles south of Route 30, and six miles north of a quiet exit off of Interstate 68 in Flintstone, Maryland. It is located only three miles north of the Maryland/Pennsylvania border.
Hewitt Covered Bridge was built in 1880. It crosses 88 feet over Town Creek. Since it’s on a public road, traffic can still cross the bridge. Hewitt Covered Bridge is painted a very beautiful white color, with rather unique red accents around the edges of the bridge.
The remote location of this bridge and the quality of its preservation make this one of my favorite covered bridges that I’ve photographed. It really is worth the drive south to see.
Getting There: Hewitt Covered Bridge is located in Clearville, Pennsylvania, at the following coordinates: 39.754540, -78.511069.
Parking here is quite easy as there is plenty of room to pull off to the side of the road along its western side. At the time of my visit, there were no issues accessing a variety of viewpoints from which to photograph this bridge.
Fischtner Covered Bridge
Fischtner Covered Bridge, also known as Palo Alto Covered Bridge, is located just off of Route 96 in Hyndman, PA. The bridge is less than four miles from the Mason-Dixon Line and only about 20 minutes north of Cumberland, Maryland.
The bridge was once part of the roadway before it was bypassed. Today, it only accesses a group of private homes. Because of this, the bridge has a no trespassing sign. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t stop your car along the public road to check out the bridge.
Fischtner Covered Bridge was originally built in 1880. It crosses 56 feet over Gladdens Run. The bridge uses Kingpost trusses in its design, and its low-side walls make for a striking covered bridge that is quite different from most seen in Pennsylvania.
Getting There: Fischtner Covered Bridge is located just off of Route 96 in southern Bedford County. it can be found at the following coordinates: 39.763587, -78.751451.
There isn’t much room to park next to the bridge, but it is possible to find a spot or two along Kennells Mill Road near the bridge. Make sure that you don’t block the bridge as it is used to access several homes, and always obey any no trespassing signs.
Looking for more places to check out in Bedford County? Visit the National Museum of the American Coverlet, the Old Log Church, the Abandoned POW Camp in Buchanan State Forest, and the Abandoned South Pennsylvania Railroad Aqueduct.
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