Covered Bridges in Lancaster PA
April 2, 2022
There are plenty of things to do and see in Pennsylvania, especially in Lancaster! Our town boasts historical landmarks that make time travel simple with a stroll down the street. Wander through the county and experience the surrounding countryside when you visit the best covered bridges in Lancaster, PA! This activity satisfies both history buffs and nature lovers. Read on to learn more about these splendid structures and get your camera ready! No matter what tour(s) you choose, it's sure to be memorable.
Also make sure you check out our THINGS TO DO page on our website! It has all the top suggestions for local restaurants, shops, museums, outdoor adventures, and more.
This Blog is About Covered Bridges Lancaster
All You Need to Know About Touring the Covered Bridges in Lancaster, PA
The History of Covered Bridges in PA
Much like the traditional buggy, Lancaster’s covered bridges are notable features of Amish Country. These historical structures blend into the old American landscape and have become a symbol of nostalgia and modern intrigue. In fact, Pennsylvania is recognized as the birthplace of covered bridge architecture! Industrious residents from the early 1800s to early 1900s funded construction of more than 1,500 covered bridges. This made PA the home of the most covered bridges in the United States (back in the day!).
Fun Facts About Lancaster County's Covered Bridges:
- As you'll see in the photos, the outside of nearly all the bridges are red and the entrance / exits are all white.
- Building materials for Lancaster's Covered bridges: white oak and the decks made from oak planks.
- The most common bridge design in Lancaster is the Burr arch truss. Theodore Burr invented the design in 1804 and patented in 1817. While you've probably never heard of Theodore, you HAVE heard of his cousin, Aaron Burr!
Where to Find Covered Bridges in Lancaster PA
Prepare to discover 28 covered bridges in Lancaster County alone! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we can help you map out your expedition. Make a journey to all 28 or see a few during your stay. One of the best ways to travel from bridge to bridge is to simply type in the name of the bridge you want to go to in Google Maps (or Waze... whichever GPS mapping tool you use) and your phone will tell you where to go.
To make it easier for you to tour and visit each of the 28 covered bridges in Lancaster PA, we've grouped and mapped them into efficient loops. Our list includes either a physical address or the Google Maps version of an address, so you can easily plug any of these bridges into your GPS to find your way (although simply typing in the name of the bridge works too!!).
Ephrata / Northern Loop (5 Bridges)
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Bucher's Mill Covered Bridge | 80 Cocalico Creek Rd, Stevens, PA 17578 |
About: Bucher's covered bridge is only 64 feet long, making it one of the shortest covered bridges in Lancaster County. |
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Weaver's Mill Covered Bridge | 1645-1699 Weaverland Rd, East Earl, PA 17519 |
About: Weaver's Mill Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The 85-foot-long, 15-foot-wide bridge was built in 1878 by B. C. Carter and J. F. Stauffer for $1468. |
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Pool Forge Covered Bridge | 131 S Pool Forge Rd, Narvon, PA 17555 |
About: The Pool Forge Covered Bridge spans the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, PA. The bridge is now on private property where it was once used as a storage barn before the owner added a road to receive vehicle traffic. |
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Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge | Ephrata, PA 17522 | 4RRX+56 Ephrata, Pennsylvania | About: The Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge spans the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, PA. It is the oldest bridge in the county still in use |
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Red Run Covered Bridge | 5WG9+4G Denver, Pennsylvania |
About: The Red Run Covered Bridge or Oberhaltzer's Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that once spanned the Muddy Creek in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was built in 1866 by Elias McMellen and is currently situated on private property next to the Red Run Campground |
Places to Eat Along This Covered Bridge Loop:
- The Deck | addre222 N Reading Rd l, Ephrata | Website
- Riviera Italian Restaurant | 1405 N Reading Rd, Stevens | Website
- Johnny's / Kyma | 1640 N Reading Rd, Stevens | Johnny's Website | Kyma's Website
- Shady Maple | 129 Toddy Dr, East Earl | Website
- Three Sisters Park | 19 E Main St, Ephrata | Website
- Olde Lincoln House Tavern | 1398 W Main St, Ephrata | Website
Nearby Places to Eat AWESOME Ice Cream:
- Boerengers | 3160 N Reading Rd, Adamstown | Website
- Lickety Split | 209 E Main St, New Holland | Website
- Udder Choice | 1812 W Main St, Ephrata | Website
- Fox Meadow Creamery | 2475 W Main St, Ephrata | Website
Lititz / Central Loop (6 Bridges)
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Eichelberger's (Buck Hill Farm) Covered Bridge 1002 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 |
About: The Buck Hill Farm Covered Bridge is located on private property. Visitors must request permission from the owner to walk to this bridge. |
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Erb's Covered Bridge 800-898 Erbs Bridge Rd, Lititz, PA 17543 |
About: Erb's bridge spans Hammer Creek. It has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The bridge was originally built in 1849 for a cost of $700. |
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Keller's Mill Covered Bridge 103 Middle Creek Rd, Lititz, PA 17543 |
About: The Keller's Mill Bridge originally spanned the Cocalico Creek. Due to heavy road traffic and aging, the bridge was dismantled and moved in the summer of 2006.he bridge was reconstructed in 2009. It was reopened on Middle Creek Road in December 2010. It is the ONLY all white bridge in the county (in use). |
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Zook's Mill Covered Bridge 1049 Log Cabin Rd, Leola, PA 17540 |
About: The bridge is 74 feet long and 13 feet three inches wide. It has a wooden burr type truss and was built in 1849 by Henry Zook. Unlike many other bridges in the county the bridge withstood Hurricane Agnes, despite being filled with 6-and-a-half feet of water. The bridge was featured in the 1978 film The Boys from Brazil |
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Pinetown Covered Bridge 4Q42+7M Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania |
About: The bridge was built in 1867 by Elias McMellen at a cost of $4,500. In 1972 it was destroyed by Hurricane Agnes. Locals rallied to have it reconstructed. In the spring of 1973 the bridge was rebuilt by the nearby Amish |
| Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge 1335 Hunsicker Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 |
About:The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch truss design. It spans the Conestoga River and is 180 feet long, making it the longest single span covered bridge in Lancaster county |
Places to Eat Along This Covered Bridge Loop:
- The White Swan | 1264 E Newport Rd, Lititz | Website
- The Log Cabin | 11 Lehoy Forest Dr, Leolass | Website
- Nonna Rosa Italian Restaurant | 363 S 7th St, Akron | Website
- Reflections Restaurant | 1390 E Oregon Rd, Leola | Website
- Oregon Dairy Restaurant & Buffet | 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz | Website
Nearby Places to Eat AWESOME Ice Cream:
Manheim / Western Loop (6 Bridges)
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Landis Mill Covered Bridge Shreiner Station Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 3M93+CX Lancaster, Pennsylvania | About: Landis Mill Covered Bridge is located on the Little Conestoga Creek just a block west of Park City Mall. Built in 1873, this covered bridge uses the Kingpost Truss, no arches, and at only 53 feet long, this marks the shortest covered bridge in Lancaster county. |
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Forry's Mill Covered Bridge Bridge Valley Rd, Columbia, PA 17512 | 3G8C+HQ Columbia, Pennsylvania | About: Forry's Mill Covered Bridge was originally built in 1869 by Elias McMellen for a cost of $2969. It spans Chiques Creek and is a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design |
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Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge 4193 Siegrist Rd, Mount Joy, PA 17552 |
About: Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge is an 88-foot single span, wooden, double Burr Arch Truss design. The bridge was built in 1885 and spans Chiques Creek. |
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Schenck's Mill Covered Bridge 4H8F+7W Manheim, Pennsylvania |
About: The bridge was built in 1847 by Charles Malhorn and Levi Fink. The bridge was rebuilt in 1855. It's 96 feet in length and spans Chiques Creek. |
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Kauffman's Distillery Covered Bridge 661 W Sun Hill Rd, Manheim, PA 17545 |
About: Kauffman's Distillery Covered Bridge was originally built in 1857 by James C. Carpenter. The bridge was named after the Kauffman's Distillery Mill which operated in the late 1800s. In 1874 the bridge was rebuilt by Elias McMellen. |
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Shearer's Mill Covered Bridge 504 E Adele Ave, Manheim, PA 17545 |
About: The burr arch truss covered bridge was built in 1847 over Chickies Creek. It was rebuilt in 1855. In 1971, the bridge was relocated to Manheim Veteran Memorial Park where it spans Big Chiques Creek. The bridge is closed to vehicular traffic. |
Places to Eat Along This Covered Bridge Loop:
- Lyndon Diner | 1370 Manheim Pike, Lancaster | Website
- Miller's Ale House | 1000 Christopher Pl, Lancaster | Website
- Loxley's | 500 Centerville Rd, Lancaster | Website
- Bube's Brewery | 102 N Market St, Mount Joy | Website
- Cat's Meow | 215 S Charlotte St, Manheim | Website
- Artiface Ales & Meads | 55 N Main St, Manheim | Website
Nearby Places to Eat AWESOME Ice Cream:
- Manheim Twin Kiss | 309 S Main St, Manheim | Website
- Kreider Farm Dairy | 1461 Lancaster Rd, Manheim | Website
- Scoops Ice Cream & Grille | 312 Primrose Ln, Mountville | Website
This Blog is About Covered Bridges Lancaster
Strasburg - East Loop (5 Bridges)
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Neff's Mill Covered Bridge
XQHF+FP Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
About: The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design. Originally built by Christian Brackbill in 1824; the narrowest covered bridge in Lancaster County. |
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Mercer's Mill Covered Bridge
3771 Bailey Crossroads Rd, Atglen, PA 19310 |
About: The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design. Built in 1880 by B. J. Carter and one of a number of covered bridges built along the border between Lancaster and Chester counties |
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Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge 1128-1198 Mt Pleasant Rd, Quarryville, PA 17566 | About: The bridge is purportedly the only covered bridge in the county that is not built perpendicular to the stream it crosses due to the placement of the sawmill on one side of the bridge and the rock formations faced by the builders on the other side. |
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Pine Grove Covered Bridge QXV4+C4 Nottingham, West Nottingham Township, PA | About: The bridge has a TWO-span, wooden, double Burr arch truss design! Built in 1884, it is 195 feet long and 15 feet wide. |
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White Rock Forge Covered Bridge 248 White Rock Rd, Kirkwood, PA 17536 | About: White Rock Forge Covered Bridge spans the West Branch of the Octoraro Creek. Originally built in 1847 and rebuilt in 1884, it is 103 feet long and a traditional single span, Burr arch truss design. |
Places to Eat Along This Covered Bridge Loop:
- Agape Cafe | 366 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks | Website
- Fireside Tavern | 1500 Historic Dr, Strasburg | Website
- The Bullfrog Inn | 1110 Georgetown Rd, Bart Township (Georgetown) | Website
- Chesapeake Crab Connection | 300 S 3rd St, Oxford, PA 19363 | Website
- Sawmill Grill | 306 Market St, Oxford, PA 19363 | Website
Nearby Places to Eat AWESOME Ice Cream:
- Down on the Farm Creamery | 509 May Post Office Rd, Strasburg | Website
- La Lupita | 417 Market St, Oxford | (no website, just GREAT Google reviews!)
Strasburg-West Loop (6 Bridges)
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Willow Hill Covered Bridge
2409-2415 E Lincoln Hwy, Lancaster, PA 17602 |
About: This is probably the most "seen" covered bridge in the county because of its location right in front of American Music Theater on Route 30. Built in 1962 by Roy Zimmerman as a reconstruction using parts of the Miller's Farm Covered Bridge, built in 1871 by Elias McMellen, and Good's Fording Covered Bridge, built in 1855. |
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Eshelman's Mill Covered Bridge
N Belmont Rd, Gordonville, PA 17529 | 2V6R+WR Gordonville, Pennsylvania |
About: Also known as Leaman's Place Covered Bridge. It spans the Pequea Creek and has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design; constructed by James Carpenter in 1845. |
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Lime Valley Covered Bridge
300-402 Brenneman Rd, Willow Street, PA 17584 |
About: Lime Valley covered bridge is a 104-foot, single-span of Burr arch truss design in Lancaster County, PA; built in 1871, it carries Brenneman Road over Pequea Creek, just south of Lime Valley Road. |
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Colemanville Covered Bridge
41 Fox Hollow Rd, Pequea, PA 17565 |
About: The Colemanville Covered Bridge spans Pequea Creek. It is Lancaster County's second-longest single-span covered bridge still being used. |
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Baumgardener's Covered Bridge
88 Covered Bridge Rd, Pequea, PA 17565 |
About: The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design; built in 1860 by Davis Kitch at a cost of $1,284. The bridge is 120 feet in length. |
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Kurtz's Mill Covered Bridge
Kiwanis Dr, Lancaster, PA 17602 | 2P89+34 Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
About: The Kurtz's Mill Covered Bridge spans Mill Creek in the Lancaster County Park. Built in 1876, the bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design and is 94 feet long. |
Places to Eat Along This Covered Bridge Loop:
- Millers Smorgasbord | 2811 E Lincoln Hwy, Ronks | Website
- Revere Tavern | 3063 Lincoln Hwy, Paradise | Website
- Tavern by Spring House Brewing Co. | 8 E Main St, Strasburg | Website
- Caruso's Italian Restaurant & Pizzaria | 2933 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street | Website
- Mick's All American Pub | 2428 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street | Website
Nearby Places to Eat AWESOME Ice Cream:
- River Street Sweets • Savannah's Candy Kitchen | 311 Stanley K Tanger Dr Suite 1250, Lancaster | Website
- Strasburg Creamery | 1 W Main St, Strasburg | Website
Take a Scooter Tour of the Covered Bridges!
Spice up your road trip and get on two wheels! One of the best ways to see the covered bridges is to take a tour offered by Strasburg Scooters. (They even have “scoot-coupes” for people nervous about driving a traditional two-wheel scooter.) It’s a fabulous way to experience the countryside and makes it easy to hop on and off, walk around the bridges, and take pictures. If you're lucky your guide will even have enough time to stop at one of the best Amish-owned ice cream shops in the county!
This Blog is About Covered Bridges Lancaster
Experience More Lancaster History at the Historic Smithton Inn!
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