North Carolina may not be teeming with covered bridges, but there are enough here to have your own “Bridges of Madison County” adventure. From the oldest covered bridge to the longest, and everything in between, check out seven covered bridges in North Carolina that you can see all in the span of a single day:
One of our signature road trips just wouldn’t be the same without a link to a navigational map.
Google Maps (embellished with text and numbers) Here’s a link to an interactive map you can open on your phone to guide you on this fun road trip. Ready? Then let’s get rolling…
- Old Gillam Mill Park Covered Bridge - Sanford
TripAdvisor/Lynderville The longest covered bridge in North Carolina is found across the street from an old mill and mill pond just outside of Sanford. It’s open to pedestrian traffic and the park has much to admire. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours enjoying the scenery here.
- Kimesville Covered Bridge - Liberty
Google Maps/Ward McPherson Although located on private property, and therefore inaccessible, the bridge can easily be viewed from the road. There’s not a lot of history available for this old bridge, just that it has been moved from its original location on Layton Road to Humble Road in Liberty, North Carolina.
- Pisgah Covered Bridge - Asheboro
Wikipedia/Donald Lee Pardue One of two of the oldest historic covered bridges in the state, Pisgah Covered Bridge was built in 1910. The bridge is 54 feet long and no longer carries vehicular traffic. It’s open to the public from dawn to dusk daily.
- Bunker Hill Covered Bridge - Claremont
Google Maps/Philip Osborne The oldest remaining covered bridge in North Carolina, Bunker Hill was built in 1895. There’s a complete park here, making this bridge a wonderful destination on any day trip.
- Gaddy Covered Bridge - Mt. Gilead
Google Maps/Ed Komasara Found within the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, the Gaddy Covered Bridge has no historical significance, but it’s a treasured highlight of the refuge and definitely worth a visit. It’s named after the Gaddy family, huge contributors to the founding of the wildlife refuge.
- High Falls Covered Bridge - DuPont State Forest
Google Maps/Eva T Hike an easy, 2.8-mile trail near Hendersonville in the DuPont State Forest to reach the High Falls Bridge. The bridge crosses just above a 120-foot waterfall that spills down a granite rock face. Learn more about the trail from our friends at AllTrails.
- Will Henry Stevens Covered Bridge - Highlands
Google Maps/Bob Hurley Imported from New Hampshire where this 200-year-old bridge was removed in 1966, the Will Henry Stevens Covered Bridge was originally placed into storage for 40 years after its removal. However, in 2009, it was reassembled in Highlands at the entrance to the Bascom Arts Center. Tracing back to its origin, it’s the oldest covered bridge structure in the state, however, it wasn’t originally built in North Carolina.
There’s something nostalgic about covered bridges, no matter how old an individual bridge may be. Some of these bridges are more than a century old. Can you tell the difference?
Google Maps (embellished with text and numbers)
Here’s a link to an interactive map you can open on your phone to guide you on this fun road trip. Ready? Then let’s get rolling…
TripAdvisor/Lynderville
The longest covered bridge in North Carolina is found across the street from an old mill and mill pond just outside of Sanford. It’s open to pedestrian traffic and the park has much to admire. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours enjoying the scenery here.
Google Maps/Ward McPherson
Although located on private property, and therefore inaccessible, the bridge can easily be viewed from the road. There’s not a lot of history available for this old bridge, just that it has been moved from its original location on Layton Road to Humble Road in Liberty, North Carolina.
Wikipedia/Donald Lee Pardue
One of two of the oldest historic covered bridges in the state, Pisgah Covered Bridge was built in 1910. The bridge is 54 feet long and no longer carries vehicular traffic. It’s open to the public from dawn to dusk daily.
Google Maps/Philip Osborne
The oldest remaining covered bridge in North Carolina, Bunker Hill was built in 1895. There’s a complete park here, making this bridge a wonderful destination on any day trip.
Google Maps/Ed Komasara
Found within the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, the Gaddy Covered Bridge has no historical significance, but it’s a treasured highlight of the refuge and definitely worth a visit. It’s named after the Gaddy family, huge contributors to the founding of the wildlife refuge.
Google Maps/Eva T
Hike an easy, 2.8-mile trail near Hendersonville in the DuPont State Forest to reach the High Falls Bridge. The bridge crosses just above a 120-foot waterfall that spills down a granite rock face. Learn more about the trail from our friends at AllTrails.
Google Maps/Bob Hurley
Imported from New Hampshire where this 200-year-old bridge was removed in 1966, the Will Henry Stevens Covered Bridge was originally placed into storage for 40 years after its removal. However, in 2009, it was reassembled in Highlands at the entrance to the Bascom Arts Center. Tracing back to its origin, it’s the oldest covered bridge structure in the state, however, it wasn’t originally built in North Carolina.
While we’re on the subject of road trips, be sure to check out this enchanting road trip to hidden castles in North Carolina!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Ole Gilliam Mill Park, 4717 Carbonton Rd #4637, Sanford, NC 27330, USAAddress: Liberty, NC 27298, USAAddress: Pisgah Covered Bridge Road, Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, North Carolina, USAAddress: Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, 4160 US-70, Claremont, NC 28610, USAAddress: Gaddy Covered Bridge Trail, North Carolina 27306, USAAddress: High Falls Trail, Little River, NC 28768, USAAddress: 323 Franklin Rd, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
