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 these beautiful 7 covered bridges in NC that you can see all in the span of a single day:

Get ready for one of our signature road trips! A trip through North Carolina just wouldn't be the same without it.
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Check out this interactive map you can open on your phone to guide you on this fun road trip. Ready? Then let's get rolling...
1. Old Gillam Mill Park Covered Bridge - Sanford
covered bridges in NC
Ole Gilliam Mill Park Covered Bridge, 4718 Carbonton Rd, Sanford, NC 27330, USA
Google Maps/Vikki Martin
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.

Check out this short YouTube video by Daniel Findley walking through this NC covered bridge.
2. Kimesville Covered Bridge - Liberty
Kimesville Covered Bridge, Liberty, NC 27298, USA
Google Maps/Ward McPherson
Although located on private property, and therefore inaccessible, the Kimesville Covered 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.
3. Pisgah Covered Bridge - Asheboro
Pisgah Covered Bridge, 6925 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205, USA
Wikipedia/Donald Lee Pardue
Next up on our list of the best covered bridges in North Carolina is the Pisgah Covered Bridge. 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. There are some amazing walking trails in the area as well.

Here’s a cool YouTube drone footage by Dronetastic Voyage of the bridge and surrounding area.

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4. Bunker Hill Covered Bridge - Claremont
Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, 4160 US-70, Claremont, NC 28610, USA
Google Maps/Philip Osborne
The oldest remaining covered bridge in North Carolina, the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge was built in 1895. There's a complete park here, making this bridge a wonderful destination on any day trip.
5. Gaddy Covered Bridge - Mt. Gilead
Gaddy Covered Bridge, Mt Gilead, NC 27306, USA
Google Maps/Ed Komasara
Found within the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, the Gaddy Covered Bridge in North Carolina 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.
6. High Falls Covered Bridge - DuPont State Forest
High Falls Covered Bridge, Buck Forest Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739, USA
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.

Watch this awesome footage by YouTuber Chris Still of the forest and the bridge.
7. Will Henry Stevens Covered Bridge - Highlands
Will Henry Stevens Covered Bridge, 323 Franklin Rd, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
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? If you were to do a search for “covered bridges near me” one of these will most certainly pop up at the top of the list!

If you’d like to explore hikes around any of these bridges, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website. Also, wanna make this day trip into an overnight adventure? Here are a few lodgings in Charlotte North Carolina that we recommend.

While we’re on the subject of road trips, be sure to check out this enchanting road trip to hidden castles in North Carolina!

If you’re still in the mood for more Tar Heel State adventures, take a look at this video about Clingmans Dome:

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More to Explore

More North Carolina Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 29, 2023

What are some fun facts about North Carolina?

  • Babe Ruth hit his first home run in Fayetteville on March 7, 1914.
  • The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the largest lighthouse to ever be moved due to erosion.
  • North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the United States.
  • The Venus FlyTrap is native to Hampstead, NC.
  • Whitewater Falls in Transylvania County is the highest waterfall on the East coast.
  • Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the East.
  • University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is the oldest state university in the US.
  • The first mini-golf course was built in Fayetteville.

Read on to learn about some of the many other fun facts about North Carolina.

What are some of the best rural towns to live in North Carolina?

  • Washington has been noted as one of the most charming towns in rural North Carolina, in part because it sits along the beautiful Pamlico River.
  • Pinehurst features several award-winning golf courses, a cute downtown area, and it is one of the safest cities to live in the country.
  • Bald Head Island is a secluded island accessible only by boat or ferry home, and once on the island, the most popular means of transportation is via golf cart.

Read on to learn about some of the many other charming rural towns to live in North Carolina.

Where can we find historic landmarks in North Carolina?

  • The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, built in the late-1800s as a vacation home for George and Edith Vanderbilt, is one of the most historic landmarks in the state.
  • The Tryon Palace in New Bern, built in 1776, was the first official Governor's Palace of the British governors of the day.
  • The USS North Carolina in Wilmington was awarded 15 battle stars for her role in WWII.

Read on to learn about some of the many other fascinating historic landmarks in North Carolina.

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