Illinois does not usually come to mind when people picture covered bridges, yet the state quietly keeps a handful of them tucked along back roads and inside parks. Some are more than a century old, while others were rebuilt to keep the old-fashioned look alive.
Finding them takes a little patience and a willingness to drive slow country roads, which is honestly half the fun. Here are eight Illinois covered bridges that reward you for taking the scenic way there.
1. Red Covered Bridge, Princeton
Bright barn-red paint makes this one hard to miss once you find the gravel road just north of Princeton in Bureau County. Built in 1863, it stretches across Big Bureau Creek and is one of the oldest surviving covered bridges in the state.
An old sign on the bridge once warned travelers to cross at a walk, and that slow-and-steady spirit still fits the setting. The wood-truss construction is the kind you rarely see up close anymore.
Drivers can still pass through it, which is a rare treat for a bridge this old. It sits in a quiet, tree-lined spot that makes for an easy photo stop.
If you are mapping a route through north-central Illinois, this is a natural anchor point to build the rest of your day around.
2. Wolf Covered Bridge, Knox County
Farmland stretches in every direction around this bridge near Oneida in Knox County, which is part of what makes stumbling onto it feel like a small victory. It carries traffic over Cedar Fork and dates back to the 1870s.
The structure has been maintained and reinforced over the years so it can keep serving the rural roads around it. That mix of old design and continued everyday use gives it real character.
Because it sits well off the busier highways, you get the full country-drive experience getting there. Bring a full tank and enjoy the open scenery.
I like this one for travelers who want a bridge that still feels lived-in rather than roped off as a display piece.
3. Thompson Mill Covered Bridge, Shelby County
Spanning the Kaskaskia River in Shelby County, this bridge holds the distinction of being one of the last original covered bridges in Illinois that stayed in continuous public use for well over a century. It was built in the late 1860s.
The setting is peaceful, with the river slipping quietly beneath the long wooden span. It sits near the tiny community of Cowden, deep in farm country.
The bridge has been preserved as a historic site, so you can walk out and take in the woodwork and the river view. Interpretive details help explain how these structures were made and why they lasted.
For anyone tracing the history of Illinois bridges, this is one of the most important stops on the list.
4. Sugar Creek Covered Bridge, Sangamon County
Just south of Springfield near Chatham, this bridge gives central Illinois travelers an easy detour that does not require a long haul across the state. It crosses Sugar Creek and is one of the older covered bridges still standing in the region.
Records point to construction in the late 1820s, making it a genuine link to Illinois pioneer days. That age alone earns it a spot on any covered bridge route.
The site is set up for visitors, with room to park and walk over to the bridge itself. Its location close to Springfield makes it a friendly add-on if you are already exploring Lincoln-related history nearby.
A quiet creek and a shady setting make it a pleasant place to stretch your legs.
5. Little Mary’s River Covered Bridge, Chester
Down in southern Illinois near Chester, this bridge sits close to the Mississippi River corridor and rewards drivers willing to head to the state’s lower reaches. It carries a country road over the Little Mary’s River.
The wooden construction fits the wooded, rolling landscape of Randolph County. The area feels a world away from the flat prairie farther north.
Because Chester is already known as a destination town, you can pair a bridge visit with a broader afternoon of small-town sightseeing. The drive there winds through pretty river-country terrain.
I would save this one for travelers making a full loop through southern Illinois rather than a quick day trip.
6. Allen’s Mill Covered Bridge, Fulton County
Fulton County offers rolling hills and quiet roads, and its covered bridge near the Cuba area fits right into that unhurried landscape. The bridge honors the old mill-crossing tradition that once dotted this part of Illinois.
Getting there means driving through classic west-central Illinois farm and timber country. The route is as much of the draw as the destination.
These older mill sites once served as gathering points for surrounding communities, and the covered crossings were a practical part of daily travel. Standing near one gives you a sense of that slower pace.
If you enjoy piecing together a route through lesser-traveled counties, Fulton County makes a rewarding stop.
7. Covered Bridge at Lake of the Woods, Mahomet
Set inside the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve near Mahomet in Champaign County, this bridge is one of the most accessible on the list because it lives inside a public park. That makes it a low-effort win for families and first-timers.
The preserve includes gardens, trails, and open space, so the bridge becomes one piece of a larger outing. You can walk the grounds and turn the visit into a relaxed afternoon.
Its park setting means paved parking, restrooms, and easy access, which is not always the case with rural bridges. That convenience matters if you are traveling with kids or older relatives.
For central Illinois travelers, this is the simplest covered bridge to reach without a long country drive.
8. Jackson Creek Covered Bridge, near Sycamore
Northern Illinois gets its turn with a covered crossing set in the countryside near Sycamore in DeKalb County. The surrounding farmland and quiet roads make the trip out a calming one.
Small wooden bridges like this one keep alive a building style that has mostly disappeared from the modern landscape. Seeing one in person helps you appreciate the craftsmanship.
The area around Sycamore is dotted with historic small towns worth a wander, so the bridge fits neatly into a broader loop. Autumn is an especially scenic time to make the drive.
Rounding out the list up north, it gives travelers in the Chicago region a covered bridge within reasonable reach.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.