Nothing screams New Hampshire more than a covered bridge. Not only do they look quaint, but they remind us of the rich history that went into creating the New Hampshire that we know and love today. A scenic drive through New Hampshire, especially the countryside, will often reveal a few beautiful bridges. However, it’s not hard to plan a day that purposefully leads to some of the best covered bridges in New Hampshire. In fact, there’s one county that has enough covered bridges in a small area to warrant a lovely day trip. Hop in the car in Sullivan County for under two hours of actual driving and you’ll see some of our favorites on this unforgettable NH covered bridge tour! And don’t forget to check out the Google Maps itinerary for this 70-mile route. You can even take this trip as an NH covered bridge motorcycle ride to make the most of the beautiful countryside, just don’t forget the road trip snacks!

Google Maps
1. McDermott Bridge, Langdon
McDermott Covered Bridge, Langdon, NH 03602, USA
jcbwalsh / Flickr
First up is this classic New Hampshire covered bridge example. You might also know it as the Cold River Bridge. It was built in 1869, making it one of the oldest in the area. It's about 81 feet and was originally intended to allow cars to pass easily over the Cold River. Today it's only open to foot traffic, which means you can enjoy the scenery even more closely. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Find more information on the official website of the McDermott Bridge.

Also, check out this video from the Drone Guy NH


2. Prentiss Bridge, Langdon
03602, Alstead, NH 03602, USA
jcbwalsh / Flickr
Once you've enjoyed enough of your first stop, jump in the car (or motorcycle) and head to this bridge, also known as the Drewsville Bridge, one of the most historic places in New Hampshire. This might be the shortest bridge on the trip, at just 34.5 feet long. And, it was built in 1805, making it the oldest on this list. The bridge was originally built for folks traveling along the Boston to Canada turnpike. Find more about this place from our previous coverage of the Prentiss Bridge.
3. Pier Bridge, Newport
Sugar River Trail, Newport, NH, USA
auvet / Flickr
The drive to reach bridge #3 is longer than some of the other distances between bridges, but it is a beautiful scenic drive in New Hampshire. East of Chandler Station and slightly west of Route 103 is this skinny-looking structure. Going through it means crossing over the Sugar River. It's a bit newer than the others on this list, being built in 1907. Stop by the official website of Pier Bridge for more information.

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4. Corbin Covered Bridge, Newport
Corbin Covered Bridge, Newport, NH 03773, USA
jcbwalsh / Flickr
Next, it's onto this beauty. Built in 1845, this 96-foot bridge is found just west of Route 10 on North Newport Road. It's about two miles from Newport Village. Passing through it means crossing over the Croydon Branch of the Sugar River. The original bridge was the victim of arson in 1993, but it was rebuilt in 1994. Here's the official website of Corbin Covered Bridge. You can also check out this footage of the Corbin Covered Bridge with this video from Mike Corbit Adventures:


5. Dingleton Hill Covered Bridge, Cornish
Dingleton Hill Covered Bridge, 780 Town House Rd, Cornish, NH 03745, USA
C Hanchey / Flickr
Are you having fun on this day trip to some of the most beautiful places in New Hampshire? Now, it's onto this one-span Multi-Kingpost Truss. It spans about 78 feet across the same Mill Brook as the Blacksmith Shop Covered Bridge. It was built in 1882 and allows Root Hill Road to cross over the brook. Find more on the official page of the Dingleton Hill Covered Bridge.
6. Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, Cornish
Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge, Cornish, NH 03745, USA
larry1732 / Flickr
This bridge has some serious cred! Not only is it the longest in New Hampshire, but also the entire United States. It connects Cornish, Hew Hampshire to Windsor, Vermont over the Connecticut River and was built in 1866. If you're a fan of historic places in New Hampshire, you'll love this enchanting covered bridge. Learn more about The Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge from our previous article featuring this epic bridge. Make sure you also watch this video from the Vermont Historical Society.


7. Blow Me Down Bridge, Cornish
Plainfield, NH 03781
dougtone / Flickr
Like a lot of the bridges in the state, this one still serves a purpose for those looking to cross over a body of water. It's used for Mill Road to cross the Blow Me Down Brook in Cornish. It dates back to 1877, making it one of the oldest on this list. Stop by the official website of Blow Me Down Bridge for more information.
8. Meriden Covered Bridge, Plainfield
Meriden Covered Bridge, Colby Hill Rd, Plainfield, NH 03781, USA
jcbwalsh / Flickr
And, last but certainly no less wonderful, is the Meriden Covered Bridge. It was built in 1880 by James Tasker of Cornish. It earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1963. If you time this trip with a warm day, you'll want to plan on swimming in the local swimming hole just underneath the structure. Find more details about the Meriden Covered Bridge in one of our previous articles.

Do you agree that these covered bridges are some of the most beautiful places in New Hampshire? How many covered bridges in NH have you been to? Would you ever consider taking this scenic drive or perhaps even an NH covered bridge motorcycle ride? Let us know in the comments! Looking for related content? The longest covered bridge in America is right here in New Hampshire — and you should check it out!

Before leaving on your epic adventure, don’t forget to check out our ultimate road trip essentials list.

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Covered Bridges In New Hampshire

Beth Price-Williams | October 05, 2021

Where can I take scenic drives in New Hampshire?

Below you'll find some scenic drives in New Hampshire:

 

One of the best ways to explore our beautiful state is to hit the road on a leisurely drive. Fortunately, we have no shortage of scenic drives in New Hampshire. For beautiful views of the water, follow New Hampshire Route 1A which will take you from Seabrook to Portsmouth. Moose Alley, on the other hand, will give you ample opportunity to see wildlife as you make your way to the Canadian border. It’s also a gorgeous drive when the landscape is painted in fall colors. New Hampshire Route 10 and New Hampshire Route 123 are also picture-perfect scenic New Hampshire drives any time of the year.

What are some of the most beautiful places in New Hampshire?

Some of the most beautiful places in NH include:

 

We’re spoiled with natural beauty in New Hampshire. When you want to soak up some of that beauty, visit a few of the most beautiful places in New Hampshire. Sculptured Rocks Natural Area in Groton, for example, boasts gorgeous sculpted rocks that make the perfect backdrop for photos. Drink in the sheer beauty of Flume Gorge, too, at Franconia Notch State Park. It can get pretty crowded, but the views more than make up for it. For some of the most gorgeous fall colors, make your way to Echo Lake in North Conway, where you’ll be treated to sensational views of Cathedral Ledge.

Where are the best historic places in New Hampshire?

Some of the best historic places in New Hampshire include:

 

The many historic places in New Hampshire offer the perfect way to spend a day exploring. The Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsborough provides a glimpse into life in New Hampshire in the 1800s. If you’re a poetry fan and enjoy the work of Robert Frost, make your way to the Robert Frost Homestead in Derry. It provides a glimpse into the poet’s life, and life in general, in the early 19th century. Be sure to also plan a visit to the USS Albacore in Portsmouth. The submarine was used during the Cold War and is now on permanent display in New Hampshire.

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