Tennessee is both full of natural beauty and steeped in rich history, and nowhere can you see those two intersect than with one of the state’s few remaining covered bridges. These artifacts of a simpler time are growing fewer and fewer, but there are still a handful around the Volunteer State that you can not only go visit, but you can also drive on some of them! So if you’re looking for some beautiful spots to visit on your next weekend road trip, these covered bridges are the perfect excuse to get out of the house and explore.
- Doe River Covered Bridge
Brent Moore - Flickr The Doe River Covered Bridge is right in the heart of downtown Elizabethton in far East Tennessee. The bridge was built in 1882 and has survived multiple catastrophic floods, making this one of the sturdier in the state. While the bridge is closed for car traffic these days, you can still walk and bike across it.
- Bible Covered Bridge
Jimmy Emerson, DVM - Flickr The Bible Covered Bridge is a bit shorter, but after a full restoration in 2004, it’s one of the prettiest bridges in the state. The nearly 100-year-old bridge spans the Little Chutney Creek in Midway, originally connecting the main road to the Bible Farm.
- David Crockett State Park Covered Bridge
Brent Moore - Flickr Located in the David Crockett State Park in Middle Tennessee, this covered bridge was originally built in 1959, though it was destroyed and quickly rebuilt in the late 90’s to the structure seen here today. You can still drive across this bridge, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this is the spot to go!
- Harrisburg Covered Bridge
Brent Moore - Flickr The Harrisburg Covered Bridge spans the famous Little Pigeon River in Sevierville, Tennessee. The 64-foot bridge fell into drastic disrepair in the mid to late 20th century, but a 2004 renovation gave it a beautiful facelift and the ability to carry heavier loads. Even still, this secluded bridge only sees about 20 cars per day.
- Church Street Bridge
Brent Moore - Flickr You can find the Church Street Bridge in the small town of Red Boiling Springs, and while you can drive over this bridge as well, just know before you try that it’s a wooden plank bridge and as such, it requires a bit more care and attention than most bridges.
- Emerts Cove Covered Bridge
Brent Moore - Flickr The Emerts Cove Covered Bridge is the newest bridge on this list, constructed in 2000 over the middle prong of the Little Pigeon River in Sevier County. The bridge was named in honor of Frederick Emert whose family was the first to settle the area in 1790.
- Parks Covered Bridge
Brent Moore - Flickr The Parks Covered Bridge was originally built in the early 1900s but was moved to its current location in 1997 due to erosion that was threatening the integrity of the original bridge. Now, it’s in a park in the town of Trimble where you can explore its beautifully restored woodwork.
The Inskip Grill in Knoxville was recently named one of the best diners in America, and it’s definitely a spot you don’t want to pass up.
Brent Moore - Flickr
The Doe River Covered Bridge is right in the heart of downtown Elizabethton in far East Tennessee. The bridge was built in 1882 and has survived multiple catastrophic floods, making this one of the sturdier in the state. While the bridge is closed for car traffic these days, you can still walk and bike across it.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM - Flickr
The Bible Covered Bridge is a bit shorter, but after a full restoration in 2004, it’s one of the prettiest bridges in the state. The nearly 100-year-old bridge spans the Little Chutney Creek in Midway, originally connecting the main road to the Bible Farm.
Located in the David Crockett State Park in Middle Tennessee, this covered bridge was originally built in 1959, though it was destroyed and quickly rebuilt in the late 90’s to the structure seen here today. You can still drive across this bridge, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this is the spot to go!
The Harrisburg Covered Bridge spans the famous Little Pigeon River in Sevierville, Tennessee. The 64-foot bridge fell into drastic disrepair in the mid to late 20th century, but a 2004 renovation gave it a beautiful facelift and the ability to carry heavier loads. Even still, this secluded bridge only sees about 20 cars per day.
You can find the Church Street Bridge in the small town of Red Boiling Springs, and while you can drive over this bridge as well, just know before you try that it’s a wooden plank bridge and as such, it requires a bit more care and attention than most bridges.
The Emerts Cove Covered Bridge is the newest bridge on this list, constructed in 2000 over the middle prong of the Little Pigeon River in Sevier County. The bridge was named in honor of Frederick Emert whose family was the first to settle the area in 1790.
The Parks Covered Bridge was originally built in the early 1900s but was moved to its current location in 1997 due to erosion that was threatening the integrity of the original bridge. Now, it’s in a park in the town of Trimble where you can explore its beautifully restored woodwork.
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Address: Bible Covered Bridge, 990-998 Bible Branch Rd, Midway, TN 37809, USAAddress: 90 Parks Plaza, Trimble, TN 38259, USAAddress: 36.532595, -85.849236Address: 35.860943, -83.482549Address: David Crockett State Park, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464, USAAddress: Elizabethton, TN 37643, USAAddress: West Prong Little Pigeon River,, Sevierville, TN 37876, USAAddress: 250 Hills Creek Rd, Pittman Center, TN 37876, USA
