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.
What to pair with each bridge
None of these is more than a 20-minute stop on its own, so build them into a bigger day. Meems Bottom sits in the middle of Shenandoah County wine and orchard country; Lexington gives you a full afternoon of museums and downtown; and Goshen Pass is 30 minutes west of Lexington if you want water and a picnic afterward.
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 four hours of driving plus stops. Start at Meems Bottom in the morning near Mt. Jackson, drive south on I-81 to Lexington for lunch and the Chessie Trail replica, then take US-60 west to Humpback for a late-afternoon photo. Total: roughly 150 miles.
Photographing them
- Early morning and the hour before sunset are the only times the light gets inside the span; midday sun blows out the entrance and leaves the interior black.
- Meems Bottom is still open to traffic — stand well clear and expect to wait for a car.
- Late fall and winter open up the sight lines once the surrounding trees drop their leaves.
- Spring high water makes the river-level angles at Meems Bottom unreachable; shoot from the bank instead.
Why so few are left
At their peak in the late 1800s, Virginia had more than 100 covered bridges. The roof and siding were never decorative — they protected the wooden trusses from rot, roughly tripling a bridge's working life. The Civil War destroyed dozens, with both armies burning them to slow the other's advance, and the rest fell to floods, road modernization, and arson. Meems Bottom itself was burned by vandals as recently as 1976 and rebuilt with steel reinforcement. Fewer than ten authentic examples survive 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 posted weight limit, on Wissler Road just off Route 11 north of Mt. Jackson.
Are the covered bridges free to visit?
All of them. Each has a small pull-off or roadside lot, no admission, and no set hours — though the surrounding parks at Humpback and Sinking Creek are daylight-use areas.
Why were bridges covered in the first place?
To protect the wooden truss structure from rain and snow. An uncovered timber bridge might last 10 to 15 years; a covered one could last a century, which is why the design spread across the eastern US in the 1800s.
Is Meems Bottom accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?
The bridge deck itself is flat and walkable, but the approach from the pull-off is gravel and uneven. Humpback's park has a short packed path from the parking area.
