Vermont covered bridges are quintessential New England landmarks. Almost every small town in Vermont has its own historic covered bridge that tells the story of the town and times gone by. Covered wooden bridges were originally built in Vermont in the 1800s as a way for livestock, pedestrians, horse and carriage and then eventually vehicles to cross to places they would otherwise be unable to access. These historic covered bridges have been restored and protected over the years to honor their original design and purpose. There are over 100 covered bridges in Vermont, making it the state with more covered bridges per square mile than any other state in the United States!
Fall foliage is the perfect time to enjoy Vermont’s covered bridges with beautiful displays of red, orange and yellow spread across mountaintops and valleys serving as a colorful backdrop to our historic covered truss bridges. These covered bridges have become one of the most beautiful and photogenic landmarks in the state of Vermont, as well as the most visited attractions in the region. Take a picture underneath the bridge and take a stroll through it imagining all of the history that has taken place right here in times gone by.
Here are some of the best of Vermont’s covered bridges that are well worth a visit during fall.
20 Best Covered Bridges to Visit in Vermont During Fall
Pulp Mill Bridge (Middlebury, VT)
Vermont’s oldest covered bridge is the Pulp Mill Bridge built in 1820, which crosses Otter Creek in Middlebury, Vermont. The Pulp Mill Bridge, also known as the Paper Mill Bridge is a Burr Truss bridge that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Dummerston Covered Bridge (Dummerston, VT)
Spanning the West River in Dummerston, Vermont this historic bridge was built in 1872. At 280 feet the Dummerston Bridge is one of the longest covered bridges in Vermont. Another beautifully scenic covered bridge to add to your fall bucket list in Vermont.
Chiselville Covered Bridge (Sunderland, VT)
The Chiselville Covered Bridge in Sunderland, Vermont is a town lattice bridge running 117 ft. long that was built in 1870. The Chiselville had its five seconds of fame in the 1987 movie “Baby Boom” starring Diane Keaton.
Paper Mill Village Bridge (Bennington, VT)
The Paper Mill Village Bridge in Bennington, Vermont was built in 1889. This lattice truss bridge also known as the Paper Mill Bridge or Bennington Falls Covered Bridge crosses the Walloomsac River at 126 ft. long. In 1973 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Henry Covered Bridge (North Bennington, VT)
The Burt Henry Covered Bridge or Henry Bridge was built in 1835 and spans 121 ft. across the Walloomsac River. This town lattice truss bridge is a crimson red and provides beautiful scenery just outside of Bennington, Vermont.
Silk Road Covered Bridge (North Bennington, VT)
Also in North Bennington, the Silk Road Covered Bridge is a town lattice truss bridge built in 1840 crossing the Walloomsac River. Running 88 ft. long, visit the Silk Road Covered Bridge to be transported back in time with gorgeous scenic views.
Hammond Covered Bridge (Pittsford, VT)
In Pittsford, Vermont the Hammond Covered Bridge spans 139 ft. across the Otter Creek. This town lattice bridge was built in 1842 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places 1974. In 1927 a flood sent the bridge floating over a mile down the river and was later returned and restored to its original location.
Brown Covered Bridge (Shrewsbury, VT)
The Brown Covered Bridge in Shrewsbury, Vermont crosses the Cold River along Cold River Road. This wooden bridge spanning 112 ft. closed due to damage from Hurricane Irene in 2011 and reopened as a National Historic Site in 2016.
Vermont Country Store Kissing Bridge (Rockingham, VT)
The Kissing Bridge is a historic landmark in Rockingham built in 1967. At one point in time, all covered bridges were called kissing bridges due to the old tradition from horse and buggy days when two lovers would stop halfway across a covered bridge to share a quiet, private kiss. Those who visit the bridge do their part to continue to keep the tradition of kissing under the bridge. Visit the Vermont Country Store next door to continue your journey of times gone by.
Gold Brook Covered Bridge (Stowe, VT)
Gold Brook Covered Bridge was built in 1844 at 50 ft. long. Also known as Emily’s Bridge, this truss bridge is said to be haunted. The story goes that long ago, when a woman named Emily was left waiting at the Gold Brook Covered Bridge by her lover who she was meant to elope with, she was so sorrowful that she hung herself from the bridge. To this day visitors say that an angry Emily haunts the bridge leaving scratches along cars and even people! If you like a good ghost story, check out Emily’s Bridge in Stowe and see for yourself!
Woodstock Middle Covered Bridge (Woodstock, VT)
Woodstock’s Middle Bridge was built in 1969 out of timber. This historic bridge, measuring at 124 ft. long is one of the top tourist attractions in the village. Located right in the center of Woodstock’s town off of the village Green, the Middle Covered Bridge is the forefront of a beautiful view of Mount Tom. During the holiday season you can see the festive star lit at the summit of the mountain. It’s not unusual to see newlyweds posing under the bridge or family’s taking their annual Christmas card. You can’t visit Woodstock without posing under the Middle Covered Bridge!
Taftsville Covered Bridge (Taftsville, VT)
Built in 1836 from timber, the Taftsville Covered Bridge is 189 ft. in length. Painted a classic barn red, this historic covered bridge is one of the oldest in Vermont. Views of the waterfall-dam from this bridge are picturesque any time of year, but with reflecting foliage during the fall, it can’t be beat!
Quechee Covered Bridge (Quechee, VT)
The Quechee Covered Bridge was built in 1970 and recently reconstructed due to damage from Hurricane Irene. This bridge made from steel is 70 ft. in length. Quechee Covered Bridge displays a beautiful scenic view of the famous Simon Pearce Mill and falls cascading beneath. Just a 10 minute drive from Woodstock, the Quechee Covered Bridge is another of Vermont’s covered bridges that you won’t want to miss. During the summer months you may even spot someone jumping from the bridge into the river below!
Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge
Built in 1866, the Windsor-Cornish Covered Bridge is 449 ft. long and may be the most famous covered bridge in Vermont. This timber bridge is the longest wooden bridge in the United States.
Northfield Falls Covered Bridge (Northfield, VT)
Worrall Covered Bridge (Bellows Falls, VT)
Bowers Covered Bridge (Brownsville, VT)
Pine Brook Covered Bridge (Waitsfield, VT)
Mill Covered Bridge (Tunbridge, VT)
Cambridge Junction Bridge (Cambridge, VT)
How Many Covered Bridges Are Left in Vermont
In the state of Vermont there are over 100 covered bridges remaining. Taking a Covered Bridges road trip during your Vermont fall foliage vacation is a great way to see gorgeous scenery and feel the nostalgia of times gone by. There are many more bridges to explore in Vermont, we’ve just covered some of the best and our favorites in this post. As mentioned above, many covered bridges were originally called “kissing bridges” due to their covering providing privacy for a smooch in the middle. These bridges were designed with covering to protect the wood from the elements (rain, snow, etc.).
Leave a Reply