Massachusetts is home to numerous remarkable bridges from modern architectural marvels like the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge to the charming and historic covered bridges around the state. While the modern bridges are impressive, there’s nothing like seeing a charming covered bridge as there aren’t too many left. If you’re looking for something to do on a lovely fall afternoon, here are seven covered bridges perfect to explore around the Bay State.
- Bissell Bridge, Charlemont
Design Pics via Getty Images This picturesque pedestrian bridge was built in 1951 to cross over Mill Brook. It replaced an older bridge that was in the same place and is a designated scenic stop along the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway.
To learn more, visit the Bissell Covered Bridge webpage. 39 N Heath Rd, Charlemont, MA 01339, USA
- Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge, Ware
Stacey Vierra/Google Since 1886, the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge has spanned 137 feet across the Ware River. It’s one of the oldest and longest covered bridges in the state, although it has been restored several times.
Read our full coverage to learn more about the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge. Ware, MA 01082, USA
- Burkeville Covered Bridge, Conway
Westhoff/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Built around the year 1870 and restored in 2005, Burkeville Covered Bridge is the oldest surviving covered bridge not only in Massachusetts, but in the country. And, of course, it has a spot on the National Register of Historic Places! This bridge can be explored by foot and bicycle, but it’s closed to vehicles.
Read our full coverage to learn more about the Burkeville Covered Bridge. Burkeville Covered Bridge, 12 Main Poland Rd, Conway, MA 01341, USA
- Old Covered Bridge, Sheffield
Monica Atwood/Google Also known as the “Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge,” it is a replica of the original mid-1800s bridge that was destroyed in a fire in 1994. The replica was built in 1999 and is located on the appropriately-named Covered Bridge Road over the Housatonic River.
To learn more, visit the Old Covered Bridge webpage. Covered Bridge Lane, Covered Bridge Ln, Sheffield, MA 01257, USA
- Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge, Colrain
Hin Wong/Google Spanning across the North River, this Burr truss bridge was originally built in 1869 across the Fox River before it was moved in 1896 to its current location. Over the years, it has been restored and is open to bicycles and pedestrians.
To learn more, visit the Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge webpage. Lyonsville Rd, Colrain, MA 01340
- Eunice Williams Covered Bridge, Greenfield
James Walsh/Flickr Named after a woman who was killed at this site in the Deerfield Massacre in 1704, it is believed her ghost haunts this bridge. There have been many reports of the sounds of a woman screaming and an apparition of a woman by the water. Aside from the dark history of this bridge and its location, it’s quite charming.
Read our full coverage to learn more about the Eunice Williams Covered Bridge. 26 Eunice Williams Dr, Greenfield, MA 01301, USA
- Pepperell Covered Bridge, Pepperell
Leatherman Jams/Google Since the 1740s, there has been a bridge at this spot over the Nashua River. This particular bridge, however, has only been the second covered bridge and it was built in 2010.
To learn more, visit the Pepperell Covered Bridge webpage. Groton Street, Groton St, Pepperell, MA 01463, USA
Design Pics via Getty Images
This picturesque pedestrian bridge was built in 1951 to cross over Mill Brook. It replaced an older bridge that was in the same place and is a designated scenic stop along the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway.
To learn more, visit the Bissell Covered Bridge webpage.
39 N Heath Rd, Charlemont, MA 01339, USA
Stacey Vierra/Google
Since 1886, the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge has spanned 137 feet across the Ware River. It’s one of the oldest and longest covered bridges in the state, although it has been restored several times.
Read our full coverage to learn more about the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge.
Ware, MA 01082, USA
Westhoff/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Built around the year 1870 and restored in 2005, Burkeville Covered Bridge is the oldest surviving covered bridge not only in Massachusetts, but in the country. And, of course, it has a spot on the National Register of Historic Places! This bridge can be explored by foot and bicycle, but it’s closed to vehicles.
Read our full coverage to learn more about the Burkeville Covered Bridge.
Burkeville Covered Bridge, 12 Main Poland Rd, Conway, MA 01341, USA
Monica Atwood/Google
Also known as the “Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge,” it is a replica of the original mid-1800s bridge that was destroyed in a fire in 1994. The replica was built in 1999 and is located on the appropriately-named Covered Bridge Road over the Housatonic River.
To learn more, visit the Old Covered Bridge webpage.
Covered Bridge Lane, Covered Bridge Ln, Sheffield, MA 01257, USA
Hin Wong/Google
Spanning across the North River, this Burr truss bridge was originally built in 1869 across the Fox River before it was moved in 1896 to its current location. Over the years, it has been restored and is open to bicycles and pedestrians.
To learn more, visit the Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge webpage.
Lyonsville Rd, Colrain, MA 01340
James Walsh/Flickr
Named after a woman who was killed at this site in the Deerfield Massacre in 1704, it is believed her ghost haunts this bridge. There have been many reports of the sounds of a woman screaming and an apparition of a woman by the water. Aside from the dark history of this bridge and its location, it’s quite charming.
Read our full coverage to learn more about the Eunice Williams Covered Bridge.
26 Eunice Williams Dr, Greenfield, MA 01301, USA
Leatherman Jams/Google
Since the 1740s, there has been a bridge at this spot over the Nashua River. This particular bridge, however, has only been the second covered bridge and it was built in 2010.
To learn more, visit the Pepperell Covered Bridge webpage.
Groton Street, Groton St, Pepperell, MA 01463, USA
What is your favorite covered bridge in the Bay State? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoy covered bridges, head to the 1761 Old Mill Restaurant which has its own covered bridge in Westminster.
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