Hop In The Car And Visit 7 Of Wisconsin's Covered Bridges In One Day
By Daniella DiRienzo|Updated on September 07, 2023(Originally published October 21, 2019)
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
Does Wisconsin have covered bridges? While covered bridges are undeniably charming – and also pretty rare, luckily for us, there are several covered bridges in Wisconsin. And what better way to visit them all than to pack the car and take a road trip across the Badger State? If you agree, read on for all the details, gas up the car, and head out on what will surely be one of the most charming scenic drives of your life.
At a total of 804 miles, this route will require just under 14 hours of total driving time to complete – of course, that doesn’t take into account the time you’ll spend at each bridge.
This makes it perfect for a long weekend If you wish to follow along on your smartphone or need to alter the route, simply click or tap on this handy Wisconsin covered bridges map that we put together with Google Maps.
Complemented by a rushing waterfall, this bridge in Amnicon Falls State Park is the perfect way to kick off your road trip to explore Wisconsin covered bridges. As historic as it is beautiful, this bridge was designed by Charles M. Horton in the late 1800s and built in 1930. It helps to create one of the most picturesque settings in Wisconsin.
Spanning Norwegian Creek, this bridge is located three miles north of Brodhead on the Sugar River Bike Trail. It was built in 1984; however, it has an old-fashioned feel – and that’s no coincidence since it’s a replica of the site’s original bridge, which was constructed in the mid-1800s.
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3. Glacial River Trail Covered Bridge - Fort Atkinson
This bright red bridge has got to be one of the most charming sites along the Glacial River Trail. You may think it resembles a barn, which probably has something to do with the fact that it was built with wood from an actual barn - and it happens to be painted red. Regardless, it certainly can add a little whimsy to a long hike or bike ride.
Though only partially covered, the bridge on Seven Bridges Trail in Grant Park is too charming not to mention. Like something straight from a fairy tale, it features an inscription that reads, "Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature." A great spot for some outdoor exploring, the bridge is the starting point of the Seven Bridges Trail.
You can preview the trail in this YouTube video from BassMan Strikes Kayak Fishing:
5. Covered Bridge in Covered Bridge County Park - Cedarburg
Covered Bridge County Park, 1700 Covered Bridge Rd, Cedarburg, WI 53012, USA
Your road trip to explore covered bridges in Wisconsin wouldn’t be complete without visiting the state’s oldest, which dates back to 1876 and is located in Covered Bridge County Park near Cedarburg. The bridge was originally designed for vehicle traffic, but today it’s reserved solely for pedestrians who wish to stroll across Cedar Creek and back in time.
6. Springwater Volunteer Covered Bridge - Wild Rose
Springwater Volunteer Covered Bridge Park, Wild Rose, WI 54984, USA
One of the state’s newer covered bridges, this one was built in 1997. However, despite its more-recent construction date, it still bears resemblance to bridges from years past – and that’s because it’s designed to look like the bridge that was originally located at the site. Absolutely picture-perfect in a setting to match, the bridge is a great place to visit any time of year.
You’ll definitely want to spend some time at this bridge, which leads to The Red Mill, an eatery and gift shop housed in a grist mill from the 1800s. The grounds also include Chapel in the Woods, which is a lovely chapel and popular wedding venue, along with stunning natural features, such as the Crystal River - which the bridge spans.
We think you’ll really enjoy visiting these seven covered bridges in Wisconsin. Did we leave any out or fail to mention your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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More to Explore
Scenic Road Trips In Wisconsin
Trent Jonas|September 07, 2023
What are some other scenic road trips to take in Wisconsin?
Apart from the road trip discussed above to several covered bridges in Wisconsin, there are many other scenic road trips to take in Wisconsin. For example, you could visit several of Wisconsin's waterfalls. Here are some ideas for waterfall road trips in Wisconsin:
You could even combine a visit to several Wisconsin waterfalls with trips to other waterfalls in nearby states to create the ultimate Midwest waterfall road trip. With so much to offer in terms of scenic and natural beauty, you'll find countless possibilities for scenic road trips in Wisconsin.
