Virginia once had hundreds of covered bridges; today only a handful survive. The Shenandoah Valley and its bordering counties hold most of what's left, and three of the four are within a short drive of each other along the I-81 corridor. They're free, photogenic, and pair well with a Valley winery or cidery day.
The covered bridges still standing
Meems Bottom Covered Bridge (Mt. Jackson)
The longest covered bridge in Virginia at 204 feet, spanning the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Built in 1893 with timbers cut from the bluff above it. Burned by vandals in 1976 and faithfully rebuilt with steel reinforcement — still open to vehicles. Park at the south end and walk through. 1.5 miles off I-81 exit 269.
Humpback Covered Bridge (Covington)
The oldest surviving covered bridge in Virginia (1857) and the only existing covered bridge in the country with an arched or "humpback" design. Just off US-60 west of Covington, in a small park with picnic tables and a creek. Closed to vehicles.
Bowman Covered Bridge (Lexington — VMI campus replica)
Modern replica on the Chessie Trail near Lexington, built to honor the region's bridge-building heritage. Walkable and worth the side stop if you're in Lexington for VMI / W&L.
Sinking Creek Covered Bridge (Newport, Giles County)
Just over the southern edge of the Valley. 1916 construction, 70 ft long, closed to vehicles but open to walk through. Pairs well with a Mountain Lake or Cascades-Falls hike day.
How to see them in one day
If you want all three of the Valley-area bridges (Meems Bottom, Humpback, plus a Lexington stop) in one day, plan on about 4 hours of driving plus stops. Start at Meems Bottom in the morning (Mt. Jackson), drive south on I-81 to Lexington for lunch and the Bowman replica, then take US-60 west to Humpback for a late-afternoon photo. Total: ~150 miles.
Why so few are left
At their peak in the late 1800s, Virginia had more than 100 covered bridges. The Civil War destroyed dozens (both armies burned them to slow the other's advance). The rest fell to floods, modernization, and arson — Meems Bottom was burned by vandals as recently as 1976. The state Department of Historic Resources lists fewer than ten authentic surviving examples statewide.
Frequently asked
How many covered bridges are in the Shenandoah Valley?
Three surviving authentic covered bridges are in or near the Valley: Meems Bottom (Mt. Jackson), Humpback (Covington), and Sinking Creek (Giles County). A modern replica stands on the Chessie Trail near Lexington.
What is the oldest covered bridge in Virginia?
Humpback Covered Bridge, built in 1857 just west of Covington, is the oldest surviving covered bridge in Virginia and the only existing humpback-design covered bridge in the United States.
Can you drive through Meems Bottom Covered Bridge?
Yes. Meems Bottom is the only surviving Virginia covered bridge still open to vehicle traffic. It's a single-lane bridge with a 5-ton weight limit, on Wissler Road just off Route 11 north of Mt. Jackson.
