Jeff Goulding for nyup.com
12 beautiful covered bridges in Upstate NY
By Chuck D'Imperio | Contributing writer
There is nothing quite as special as driving along a country road and coming upon and old covered bridge spanning a bubbling stream. Upstate New York has 29 venerable covered bridges, and here are a dozen of the best. Most are open to the public and some are on private land, but all are gorgeous. Get your cameras ready!
Susan Tara Meyer via flickr
Buskirk's Bridge (Buskirk)
This bridge crosses the Hoosic River and connects two Upstate counties: Rensselaer and Washington. Both counties help maintain the bridge, which was built in 1840 employing the Howe Truss design. It is the oldest covered bridge using such design still standing. The bridge is one of the few of the 29 Upstate covered bridges still accepting vehicular traffic.
Daniel Breedlove via flickr
Copeland Bridge (Edinburg)
The only covered bridge left standing in Saratoga County. Considered to be located in one of the most beautiful setting of all of the state's bridges, the Copeland Bridge features a viewing deck on one end for the visitor to take in the stunning surroundings and the rushing Beecher Creek below. The bridge has been the backdrop of many weddings over the years.
Jeff Goulding for nyup.com
Fitch's Bridge (Delhi)
This 106-foot long span is one of three on this list in Delaware County (the others are in Hamden and Downsville) and one of two that spans the same waterway (West Branch of the Delaware River). The bridge was built in 1870 in the village of Delhi and was moved to its present location a mile away in 1885.
Jeff Goulding for nyup.com
Downsville Bridge (Downsville)
For many years the historic Blenheim Covered Bridge in Schoharie County reigned as the longest covered bridge in the state at a whopping 323 feet long. That bridge was washed away during Hurricane Irene in 2011. So now this Downsville bridge, at 174 feet long, holds the title to the longest such span in the state.
Frontenac Covered Bridge (North Bellville)
Located in Fulton County, this bridge dates from only 1982, but it is a beauty. It was hand-built by property owner Gary Beckstead to cover a pond on his property. This Town Lattice Truss style was popular with bridge builders in the 1800s.
Carl McDaniel via flickr
Grant's Mill Bridge (Hardenburgh)
Built in 1902, this covered bridge crosses Mill Brook. This Catskill Mountain Park bridge is located near the border line of Delaware and Ulster counties. It is particularly beautiful with its fieldstone buttresses and its vertical board cladding. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks. The official name of the bridge is the Millbrook Bridge.
Jeff Goulding for nyup.com
Hamden Bridge (Hamden)
Located in Delaware County, this bridge spans the West Branch of the Delaware River. It is one of the longest covered bridges in the state, measuring 128 feet long by 18 feet wide. The posted load for this Long Truss style design bridge is 3 tons!
Provided photo
Hyde Hall Bridge (Cooperstown)
Set on the grounds of the historic mansion, and located across the road from the popular Glimmerglass State Park, this is a bridge with a lot of history behind it. Hyde Hall Bridge was built in the Burr Arch Truss style in 1825 and extends only 53 feet. It is certified as the oldest covered bridge in the United States!
photoman1561 via flickr
Jay Bridge (Jay)
This historic 1857 bridge crosses the Ausable River and is the only covered bridge located in the Adirondack State Park. It is built in the Howe Truss Design fashion. In 1953, a heavy truck fell through the floor of the bridge into the river below.
Jeff Goulding for nyup.com
Perrine's Bridge (Rosendale)
This Ulster County bridge covers the Wallkill River. Located just 90 miles north of New York City, this is one of the southernmost of New York's 29 covered bridges (and at one time Ulster County had more than 30 of its own!). It was built in 1844 by Rosencrans Wood. A Mr. James Perrine had an inn near one of the bridge's entrances. He employed his young son as a "snower" who would shovel snow into the bridge so horse sleigh could traverse it in the winter.
Hank Bickel via flickr
Rexleigh Bridge (Salem)
This bridge spans the Barren Kill River in Washington County. The Town of Salem has three of the state's 29 covered bridges, making Salem a destination for history lovers, outdoors enthusiasts and professional and amateur photographers. One of the three bridges (in hamlet of Shusan in the town of Salem) is now a covered bridge museum. The bridge is the only covered span in the U.S. to use "cast iron shoes" in its structural design. The bridge opened in 1874.
Hank Bickel via flickr
Salisbury Historic Bridge (Dolgeville)
Erected in 1875 by Alvah Hopkins, this bridge crosses Spruce Creek. The roaring creek below the bridge once provided power for nine mills located along its banks. Dolgeville itself is located in parts of two counties: Herkimer and Fulton. The covered bridge is a popular tourist spot and even has its own Facebook page!
Storm King Art Center. Photo by Dominick Fiorille for nyup.com
Read more: Hidden gems in Upstate NY
While you're out looking at covered bridges, keep an eye open for these hidden gems in Upstate New York.
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