Here Are 9 Of The Most Beautiful New York Covered Bridges To Explore This Fall
By Lisa Sammons|Updated on August 31, 2023(Originally published September 13, 2021)
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Lisa Sammons
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Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
If you’re planning a fall foliage road trip in New York, one thing you definitely want to add to your list is *at least* one covered bridge. There’s something so nostalgia-inducing about the sight of a covered bridge, and we’re lucky enough to have quite a few covered bridges in New York to enjoy. Did you know we have 29 New York covered bridges? Of course, they’re gorgeous in any season, but these historic structures are particularly lovely when surrounded by the colorful hues of autumn. We’ve gathered up a few of our favorites, so check out these nine charming covered bridges in NY. Next time you’re looking for “covered bridges near me,” any of these make for a perfect autumn adventure!
Perinne's Covered Bridge is the second-oldest covered bridge in NY. This one-lane bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic for nearly a century. However, pedestrians are still able to cross the lovely Walkill River using this historic bridge. The bridge was named for James Perinne, a farmer who lived nearby. You can learn more about the history of this fascinating bridge from the New York State Covered Bridge Society website.
2. Downsville Covered Bridge (Downsville) - 1854
Downsville Covered Bridge, 15500 NY-30, Downsville, NY 13755, USA
The Downsville Covered Bridge spans the East Branch of the Delaware River in Downsville. There's a beautiful park nearby that visitors can enjoy, and it's a popular spot for picnicking. It was originally built for just $1,700, though we imagine the refurbishing completed a few years ago was probably substantially more expensive! Learn more from the New York State Covered Bridge Society website.
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3. Bendo Covered Bridge (Rockland) - 1860
Bendo Covered Bridge, 68 Conklin Hill Rd, Livingston Manor, NY 12758, USA
The Bendo Bridge was originally constructed in 1860. In 1913, it was moved over Willowemoc Creek, where it stands today. Since it's been moved from its original location, it's not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. You can learn more about the Bendo Bridge from the New York State Covered Bridge Society website.
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4. Ashokan Covered Bridge (Olivebridge) - 1885
Ashokan Covered Bridge, Olivebridge, NY 12461, USA
The Ashokan Bridge is another that was moved from its original location. It was placed where it stands today in 1939. Most bridges of that time period had a "bridge shoveler" who was paid to scrape snow out of the bridges. Ashokan Bridge was unique in that travelers were expected to shovel out their own snow! Note that this bridge is on private property and you need to contact the Ashokan Center if you're interested in visiting.
Buskirk Covered Bridge crosses the Hoosic River. Interestingly enough, this is the only inter-county covered bridge in New York. Despite its age, it still carries vehicular traffic from Rensselaer County to Washington County. Learn more from the New York State Covered Bridge Society website.
The Ludlow Greens Bridge is much newer than most of the other covered bridges in NY on this list. It is the only covered bridge in Suffolk County, and it extends over a small pond. It's a beautiful bridge that provides lovely views. You can learn more from the New York State Covered Bridge Society website.
7. Beaverkill Covered Bridge (Roscoe) - 1865
Beaverkill Covered Bridge, 3 Ragin Rd, Roscoe, NY 12776, USA
The Beaverkill Covered Bridge runs through one of the oldest campgrounds in the area. It's also known as Conklin Bridge, and lies within Beaverkill Campground. Not a lot of history is known about this bridge, because for most of the 19th century, this was a pretty remote area.
8. Copeland Covered Bridge (Northville) - 1879
Copeland Covered Bridge, 46 N Shore Rd, Northville, NY 12134, USA
The Copeland Covered Bridge spans Beecher Creek. It was named for its architect, whose brick home still stands near the bridge. You can learn more from the Town of Edinburg website.
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9. Salisbury Center Covered Bridge (Dolgeville) - 1875
The Salisbury Center Covered Bridge spans Spruce Creek. The 50-foot bridge is the last remaining bridge over the small creek, which once had seven covered bridges. You can learn more from the New York State Covered Bridge Society website.
Check out this video of some of the prettiest covered bridges in NY from YouTube user NYup:
Have you ever been to any of these charming covered bridges in New York? Share your experiences in the comments!
If you’re planning a road trip to check out some of these New York covered bridges, make sure you’re prepared with our Road Trip Essentials Packing List.
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More to Explore
Covered Bridges Near Me
Lisa Sammons|August 30, 2023
How many New York covered bridges are there?
The state of New York claims 29 historic covered bridges in New York, but not all are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are currently 34 total covered bridges in New York, but there were once more than 300.
What are some more great fall attractions in New York?
There are so many wonderful things to do during fall in New York. Here are a few of our favorite fall activities in the Empire State:
