It is easy to find oneself overwhelmed by the necessities of our current era. Traffic, constant streams of communication, and a nonstop buzz of activity can make the world seem like it is closing in. It doesn’t have to feel that way, of course, especially if you are a Northeast Ohio resident. There are many lovely places that provide a much-needed dose of serenity, from the Cleveland Metroparks to scenic roads that twist through the surrounding countryside. There are also plenty of lovely covered bridges in the area. These lovely covered bridges near Cleveland are well worth visiting when you’re in need of peace and simplicity.

1. Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge, Olmsted Falls
Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge, Main St, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138, USA
Jen Goellnitz/Flickr
Cuyahoga County is filled with scenic spaces, but Olmsted Falls maintains a certain sort of peace about it. This lovely community is interrupted by the flow of Plum Creek, and this path over Main Street stretches 92 feet to connect the shores of the creek bed. Captain Charles A. Harding, the individual whose legacy this bridge celebrates, was killed in action while serving in WWII.

Check out the Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge in this video from ThrottleLock:
2. Everett Covered Bridge, Peninsula
Everett Covered Bridge, 2370 Everett Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
Katrina Schmit/Google Reviews
Surrounded by the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a covered bridge that's as vibrant as the adjacent community. Today, this structure is the only remaining covered bridge in Summit County. Bridges like this were once common in Ohio, as they were designed to protect the wooden components of the bridge from the elements, infusing longevity into an otherwise vulnerable structure.
3. Olin's Covered Bridge, Plymouth Township
Olin's Bridge, 1945 Dewey Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
Northern Ohio Tourism/Facebook
Ashtabula County is hailed as the state's bridge capital, and it's no secret why. This scenic county boasts 19 structures alone, and each one is unique in its own way. This particular structure is a lattice bridge, meaning it contains an intricate visual lattice of wooden structural elements. This old structure dates back to 1873 but has been renovated over the years to ensure its survival.
4. The Maple Highlands Trail Bridge, Burton
Maple Highlands Trail, Ohio, USA
Geauga Park District/Facebook
This stunner in the Geauga Park District was erected fairly recently and is one of the most striking bridges in the entire region. It was installed in the summer of 2013 and its unusual design has delighted visitors ever since. The Maple Highlands Trail Bridge helps connect four local parks and enhances safety for travelers in horse-drawn vehicles.

Watch as the Maple Highlands Trail Bridge is completed in this video from Geauga Park District:

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5. Tare Creek Covered Bridge, Middlefield
Tare Creek, Middlefield, OH 44062, USA
CountrySide Bicycling, LLC/Facebook
Also along Maple Highlands Trail, in Middlefield, OH is a slightly older (but still endlessly charming) structure that's worthy of a visit, no matter the season. Built in 2004, this 49-foot-long structure is located along an abandoned railroad right-of-way and is surrounded by incomparable beauty.
6. West Liberty Covered Bridge, Geneva
West Liberty Covered Bridge, 94 W Liberty St, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
Mark K./Flickr
At 18 feet in length, this bridge may seem tiny to first-time visitors. It is actually often referred to as the shortest covered bridge in the nation, and it was conceived to cover a former concrete culvert in desperate need of repair. West Liberty Covered Bridge was dedicated in 2011.
7. Harpersfield Covered Bridge
Harpersfield Covered Bridge Metropark, 1225 Harpersfield Rd, Geneva, OH 44041, USA
Corey Balazowich/Flickr
After visiting the smallest bridge in the area, it is only appropriate to follow it up with a visit to one of the area's longest. The Harpersfield Covered Bridge stretches across the Grand River in Harpersfield Township. At 228 feet long, this pretty place ranks as the third longest covered bridge in Ohio. Can you believe this impressive structure dates back to 1868?
8. Windsor Mills Covered Bridge, Windsor Township
Windsor Mills Covered Bridge, 7696 Warner Hollow Rd, Windsor, OH 44099, USA
Nathaniel Maloney/Google Reviews
This sunshiny bridge offers an interesting contrast to many similarly dated structures in the area. Windsor Mills Covered Bridge was built in 1867, and it stretches for 120 very yellow feet over Phelps Creek. The sandstone features below the bridge were quarried, offering an interesting glimpse back in time to each visitor.
9. Netcher Road Covered Bridge, Jefferson Township
Netcher Road Covered Bridge, 1544 Netcher Rd, Jefferson, OH 44047, USA
Jason Miklacic/Flickr
This charming bridge looks like something out of a gingerbread village, particularly in the winter months. Netcher Road Bridge was built in 1998 and was inspired by Victorian architecture, though it manages to feel more spacious than traditional bridges of that era.

Take a peek at another one of the beautiful covered bridges in Ohio, the Netcher Road Covered Bridge, in this video from Robert Brown:

Something about covered bridges charms us beyond words. Their elegant designs have a certain sort of majesty about them, particularly when they’re surrounded by a landscape as lovely as Northeast Ohio’s. Which of these covered bridges near Cleveland is your favorite? Share a few covered bridges near you with a comment.

Are you enchanted by the local scenery? You’ll adore these incredible overlooks near Cleveland. One of the best ways to enjoy them is by renting an RV and taking a scenic overlook road trip.

Want to check out Cleveland’s fascinating attractions? Consider this list of fun things to do in Cleveland.

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More to Explore

Covered Bridges Near Cleveland

Megan McDonald | September 04, 2023

Where can you find Ohio covered bridges?

Ohio has plenty of charming new and old covered bridges to enjoy. Here are a few Ohio covered bridges to add to your bridge tour:

  • Smolen-Gulf Bridge, Ashtabula, OH: This bridge is a fairly recent addition to Ohio's bridge collection since it was completed in 2008. However, it is now the longest covered bridge in America at 613 feet long. The Smolen-Gulf Bridge crosses the Ashtabula River giving you stunning views of the river and forest below. It is especially beautiful in the fall.
  • Caine Road Covered Bridge, Jefferson, OH: Another beautiful bridge in Ohio's Ashtabula County, this charming bridge was built in 1986 to honor Ashtabula County's 175th Anniversary. It was the first Pratt truss-style bridge in Ohio reminiscent of historic bridges from the 1800s. You'll find it in Pierpont Township as it crosses the Ashtabula River.
  • Newton Falls Covered Bridge, Newton Falls, OH: This lovely bridge is the oldest covered bridge near Cleveland, and the oldest to remain in its original position in all of Ohio. It was finished in 1831. The Roberts Covered Bridge in Eaton was built two years earlier, but it was moved to a public park. The Newton Falls is also known as the Arlington Boulevard Covered Bridge.
  • The Bridge of Dreams, Brinkhaven, OH: This 370-foot bridge was originally a railroad bridge built in the 1920s. It is now part of the Holmes County Trail, a 15.7-mile point-to-point trail near Killbuck, Ohio that travels through Amish country.

 

When you are in the mood for a scenic drive through Ohio, these lovely covered bridges will make delightful stops as you travel in search of charming small towns and interesting places to explore.

What is the longest covered bridge in Ohio?

The Smolen–Gulf Bridge in Ashtabula County is the longest covered bridge in the United States and, naturally, the largest in Ohio. The bridge, named in honor of former Ashtabula County Engineer John Smolen and architect Timothy Martin Gulf, spans the Ashtabula River and measures 613 feet long. It's an engineering marvel and a tribute to traditional wooden bridge architecture, using modern construction techniques to ensure durability. The Smolen–Gulf Bridge is a Pratt Truss design intended to carry modern, heavy loads for many decades. It's not just a relic or a nod to history; it's a fully functional bridge designed for modern use while capturing the aesthetic of traditional covered bridges.

Visitors often find the Smolen–Gulf Bridge particularly scenic, set against the backdrop of the Ashtabula River and surrounded by natural beauty. It is a popular spot for photography, leisurely drives, and even educational field trips to learn about engineering and history.

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