Tennessee still hangs on to a handful of covered bridges, and most of them sit in small towns where the pace slows down and the creek keeps rolling underneath. Some date back to the 1800s, while others are newer replicas built to keep the old-timey look alive.
Each one gives you a free, easy stop with good photos, quiet water, and a bit of history. Here are eight covered bridges worth pointing your car toward, each in its own little corner of the state.
1. Historic Elizabethton Covered Bridge, Elizabethton, TN
Built way back in 1882, this white wooden bridge stretches 134 feet across the Doe River and still carries foot traffic today. That makes it one of the few historic covered bridges in the state you can actually walk through.
The setting is what keeps people around longer than they planned. The bridge sits in a park with a river, a weir dam, picnic tables, and plenty of ducks and geese hanging around the water.
You will find it basically at the end of Main Street, right in the heart of downtown Elizabethton in Carter County. The park hosts concerts and food trucks at times, so there is often a little something happening nearby.
Parking is easy and free, with both a lot and street spots. It is a good stop for kids, and the walking trail gives you room to stretch after a drive.
You can find it at 717 E Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643.
2. Historic Harrisburg Covered Bridge
Elbert Stephenson put this bridge up in 1875, and it has held its ground ever since. It replaced the earlier McNutts Bridge that washed away in a flood, so the spot has a long history with the water.
The design is a traditional king post truss, and the whole structure got a full restoration in 1972, plus another round of work in 2005. That care is a big reason it is still standing and still drivable.
It crosses the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River in a rural valley in the foothills of the Smokies. Getting there means winding, tree-covered roads that make the drive part of the fun.
There is a free parking lot, though no restroom, so plan accordingly. Weekends and afternoons tend to be the busiest, while evenings are quieter.
You will find it in Sevierville, TN 37876.
3. Historic Bible Covered Bridge, Midway, TN
Out in the middle of open farmland, this 1923 bridge crosses Little Chucky Creek with mountain views in the distance. It was built by A.
A. McLean, a noted Tennessee bridge-builder who added covers to protect the timbers from the weather.
The bridge is closed to vehicles now, but you can still walk across it and take your time. There is a small parking area, so pulling over is simple.
Midway is a tiny rural hamlet in Greene County, the kind of place where the bridge really does feel like it sits out in the middle of nowhere. The trade-off for that quiet is worth it.
One honest note: the inside has picked up a good bit of graffiti over the years. Even so, the structure itself and the water below make it a nice stop.
Admission is free, and it is good for kids. Hours run 8 AM to 8 PM daily, and you can find it at State Highway 349 and Bible Branch Rd, Midway, TN 37809.
4. Emert’s Cove Historic Covered Bridge, Pittman Center, TN
Here is a fun twist: despite its historic look, this bridge was actually built in 2000 as a replica of a traditional covered bridge. It was designed to blend right in with the older ones around the state.
The bridge crosses Hills Creek, and the water below runs clear and clean. A pedestrian walkway and lattice work side portals give it that classic covered-bridge feel.
Several plaques on-site share information about covered bridges and about the man the bridge was built to honor. If you like a little reading with your sightseeing, that is a nice touch.
Pittman Center is a small Appalachian mountain town with a population under 600, which keeps the whole area calm and postcard-like. It is open around the clock and good for kids.
You will find it at 250 Hills Creek Rd, Pittman Center, TN 37876.
5. Historic Townsend/Sunshine Covered Bridge, Townsend, TN
Right off the highway in Townsend, this covered bridge gives you a quick and easy stop with a great view of the river. It sits over water with a creek nearby, so there is plenty to look at.
Full disclosure: it is not an original covered bridge. It is a converted disused vehicle bridge, so it is more of a modern take than a piece of 1800s history.
Even so, it is well maintained and popular for photography and for crossing the water on foot. The setting does most of the work here.
Townsend is a quiet mountain town of around 500 people, known as the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Some folks walk over from Towns End Coffee Shop, dog in tow, and make an easy loop of it.
Free street parking makes it a simple pull-over, and it is good for kids. Look for it at 7018 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882.
6. Covered Bridge, Lawrenceburg, TN
Tucked into David Crockett State Park, this covered bridge spans the waters of Shoal Creek and comes wrapped in nature and history. That combination makes it feel like the cherry on top of a Tennessee road trip.
It is worth being upfront that this is not believed to be a historic bridge, so think of it as a scenic feature rather than an antique. It still makes a beautiful picture with the creek running below.
Lawrenceburg is a small rural town in southern Middle Tennessee, and the bridge is nestled along wooded park creek beds. The park setting means you can pair the bridge with a walk or a picnic.
There is no restaurant on-site, so bring your own snacks if you plan to linger. It is good for kids and easy to work into a park visit.
You can find it at 288 Crockett Pk Rd, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464.
7. Historic Sycamore Springs Covered Bridge, Bethpage, TN
Middle Tennessee does not get much credit for covered bridges, which is exactly why this one in Bethpage lands as a total surprise. It sits on the Sycamore Springs grounds and spans a creek branch on the property.
The bridge is a nod to the covered-bridge traditions that are slowly fading from the state, and it is nice to see the look being kept alive out this way. For a quick photo stop, it delivers.
Bethpage is a small unincorporated farming community in Sumner County, so the drive out gives you rolling rural scenery along the way. It is a change of pace from the mountain bridges farther east.
It is good for kids and makes an easy addition to a country drive. You will find it at 3700 US-31E, Bethpage, TN 37022.
8. Telliquah Covered Bridge, Tellico Plains, TN
Saving one of the most scenic drives for last, this bridge sits near the Tellico River along the Cherohala corridor. If you are chasing mountain roads, it fits right into the plan.
The bridge crosses a creek branch and makes a good pause on the way to bigger adventures. Even longtime locals are not always sure who the bridge is named after, which adds a little mystery to the stop.
Tellico Plains is a historic rural foothills town in Monroe County with a population around 900. It serves as the gateway to the Cherohala Skyway, one of the prettiest drives in the region.
The bridge is good for kids and easy to reach along the highway. You can find it at 1641 TN-165, Tellico Plains, TN 37385.
Pair it with a skyway drive and you have got yourself a full day of mountain views and quiet water.
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