We don’t see a lot of covered bridges in KY anymore, but they do still exist. A bridge can be a lot more than just a way to get to the other side. These bridges come with stories that reflect unique, yet simpler times in our state’s history.

Unfortunately, many of these traditional structures have been destroyed over the years, but we have a few Kentucky covered bridges that have been preserved.

Here are 12 covered bridges in Kentucky to remind us of simpler times when bridges had charm and style:

 

Covered bridges of Kentucky per county:
KY Atlas
12. Cabin Creek Cove Covered Bridge, circa 1867.
Cabin Creek Cove Covered Bridge, Fearisville, KY 41179, USA
KY Atlas Jeff Rogers
Starting off this list of covered bridges in Kentucky is Cabin Creek Cove Covered Bridge. On the northwestern part of Lewis County, the Cabin Creek Bridge/Rectorville Bridge stands near KY 984. It is a 114-foot single-span Burr truss built in 1867. It was closed from 1983 to May 2014 but has since been reopened.

Learn more about the Cabin Creek Cove Covered Bridge near Tollesboro, Kentucky in this video from History in Your Own Backyard:
11. Bennett’s Mill Covered Bridge, circa 1855.
Bennett's Mill Covered Bridge, KY-7, South Shore, KY 41175, USA
chm2315fl/Flickr
The Bennett's Mill Bridge was built over Tygarts Creek in 1855 in the northern part of Greenup County. It is a Wheeler Truss bridge off KY 7, around eight miles south of South Shore. It is the only preserved example of its kind in the state making it one of the most important historic places in Kentucky. Visit the Kentucky Historical Society for a map and more information.
10. Hillsboro Covered Bridge, circa the late-1860s.
Grange City Covered Bridge, Hillsboro, KY 41049, USA
cmh2315fl/Flickr
Also known as the Grange City Bridge, it connects Hillsboro and Grange City across Fox Creek in Fleming Counties' southeastern side. The bridge is an 86-foot-long double post and brace design from 1865. Visit the Kentucky Historical Society website for a map and directions.
9. Colville Covered Bridge, circa 1877.
Colville Covered Bridge, 543-509 Colville Rd, Paris, KY 40361, USA
cmh2315fl/Flickr
This bridge allows Colville Road to cross Hinkston Creek in Bourbon County. The location is close to Ruddell's Mills and it is a double post and brace design. The Colville Covered Bridge was damaged in 1997 but has since been repaired and restored to its original 124-foot span.
8. Dover Covered Bridge, circa 1835.
Dover Covered Bridge, Old Lee's Creek Rd, Dover, KY 41034, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
KY 3113 crosses Lees Creek via the Dover Bridge in Mason Counties' northwest side. The Dover Covered Bridge was built in 1835, is around 61 feet long, and is one of the oldest preserved covered bridges in Kentucky. The double set of queen-post trusses on each side is the original design, but iron beams were installed later for support due to weight limitations.

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7. Johnson Creek Covered Bridge, circa 1874.
Johnson Creek Covered Bridge, Covered Bridge Rd, Mt Olivet, KY 41064, USA
cmh2315fl/Flickr
This bridge across Johnson Creek lies north of Blue Licks State Park on what was once a crossing for KY 1029. The 1874 Smith truss-designed bridge sits in southern Robertson County and is 131 feet long. Preservation has deemed the bridge to no longer be used for passenger vehicles. Visit the Kentucky Tourism website for more information.
6. Oldtown Covered Bridge, circa 1880.
Oldtown Covered Bridge, Tunnel Branch Rd, Argillite, KY 41121, USA
cmh2315fl/Flickr
At southern Greenup County in Oldtown, this 1880s double post and brace bridge crosses over the Little Sandy River. The Oldtown Covered Bridge is 187 feet long and remains preserved as one of the historic places in Kentucky of that time.

Enjoy aerial footage of one of the covered bridges in Kentucky, the Oldtown Covered Bridge in Green County, in this video from Freeman Kelly Dronography:
5. Goddard Covered Bridge, circa 1880.
Goddard Covered Bridge, Hillsboro, KY 41049, USA
KY Tourism
Fleming County is home to the Goddard/White Bridge which crosses Sand Lick Creek. This 90-foot lattice truss bridge is the last of its kind of covered bridge in Kentucky. The original build date is guestimated around 1880 but is not known for sure.
4. Walcott Bridge circa 1880.
Walcott Covered Bridge, AA Highway, Brooksville, KY 41004, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
This 74-foot king and queen post-truss-designed bridge is now a preserved historic site that cannot be used. Initially, the Walcott Bridge carried what is now known as KY 1159 over Locust Creek.
3. Switzer Covered Bridge, circa 1855.
Switzer Covered Bridge, 3392 Jones Ln, Frankfort, KY 40601, USA
KY Tourism
This bridge crosses over North Elkhorn Creek in Switzer. It was initially built as a 120-foot Howe truss design in 1855 but was knocked off its foundation in 1997 and rebuilt close to the original design with a few modern engineering improvements.
2. Ringos Mill Covered Bridge, circa 1867.
Ringos Mill Covered Bridge, KY-158, Hillsboro, KY 41049, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
This double-posted 81-foot-long bridge was built in 1867 to cross Fox Creek near Ringos Mills in Fleming County. The Ringos Mill Covered Bridge originally carried the section of what is now KY 158 across the creek.
1. Beech Fork Covered Bridge, circa 1865.
Beech Fork Covered Bridge, Mooresville, KY 40069, USA
Tom Gill/Flickr
The last on our list of covered bridges in Kentucky is Beech Fork Covered Bridge. This two-span Burr truss bridge is 102 feet long and was the longest-standing covered bridge in Kentucky. It crosses over the Beech Fork River on Washington Counties' northwest side just off KY 458 n or Mooresville. It is no longer used, but the structure has been preserved for history. Some refer to it as the Mt. Zion Bridge. Unfortunately, this historic bridge burned down in 2021.

View footage of the iconic Beech Fork Covered Bridge, also known as the Mount Zion Covered Bridge, in this video from Lee Hardin Photography:

If only we could hear the stories these rustic, covered bridges in KY have to tell, we’d probably be entertained for weeks. These are the oldest still-standing bridges that we are aware of, but we’re hoping there are still more historic covered bridges to be found. One of the best ways to enjoy these iconic relics is by renting an RV and taking a covered bridge road trip.

What is your favorite covered bridge in the Bluegrass State? Are there any covered bridges near you? Let us know in the comments.

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Covered Bridges In Kentucky

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