The state of Georgia is home to some of the most picturesque covered bridges in the South. But what often makes these bridges even cooler is the rich history behind Georgia’s covered bridges.
Each one has its own unique story, with certain Georgia bridges dating back to the 1800s.
Although Georgia used to have over 200 covered bridges spanning the state, there are less than an eighth of that number standing today. So appreciating their beauty and historical significance is important.
We’ve outlined a list of some of the coolest covered bridges in Georgia, including where they’re located as well as a little bit about each one’s history.
If you’re interested in learning more about some of these bridges, or you’re planning on taking a road trip to see some in person, read on for more details (including a handy map)!
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Coolest Covered Bridges in Georgia Guide
- Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge (Blakely GA)
- Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge (Thomaston GA)
- Concord Covered Bridge (Smyrna GA)
- Cromer’s Mill Covered Bridge (Carnesville GA)
- Elder Mill Covered Bridge (Watkinsville GA)
- Parrish Mill Covered Bridge in Georgia L. Smith State Park (Twin City GA)
- Euharlee Covered Bridge (Euharlee GA)
- Haralson Mill Covered Wooden Bridge (Conyers GA)
- Howard’s Bridge (Lexington GA)
- Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge (Cumming GA)
- Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge (Woodbury GA)
- Stone Mountain Bridge (Stone Mountain State Park GA)
- Stovall Mill Bridge (Sautee Nacoochee GA)
- Watson Mill Bridge (Cromer GA)
- Vickery Creek/Roswell Mill Bridge (Roswell GA)
1. Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge
(Blakely GA)
Located in the woods of southwest Georgia, the Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge is the southernmost historic covered bridge in the United States.
The bridge was built in 1891 by William Baughman for just under $500, and underwent a restoration project to stabilize and repair it in 1984.
The 96-foot-long old wooden bridge still stands today, and is regarded as one of the most unique and picturesque landmarks of the Deep South.
It sits atop Coheelee Creek, which spills into a small waterfall just after it flows under the bridge.
There’s also an interpretive marker at the end of the bridge where you can read a short summary of its history.
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2. Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge
(Thomaston GA)
The original Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge was built by Dr. J.W. Herring’s company, Herring & Alford, in 1892.
This was the fourth bridge built at this site, after the Hootenville Bridge, Wilmont Bridge, and Respess Bridge.
After a tropical storm overflowed the creek and destroyed the original structure, it was reconstructed in 1997.
The 96-foot-long bridge still stands today, and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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3. Concord Covered Bridge
(Smyrna GA)
Also known as the Nickajack Creek Covered Bridge (due to its location on the creek), the Concord Bridge has the highest traffic count of all the covered bridges in Georgia combined.
Built in 1872, this covered bridge measures 131.7 feet long and 16 feet wide. It’s the only historic covered bridge in Cobb County, and it’s still open to Smyrna traffic today.
The bridge is the focal point of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District, which has a number of houses and structures that date back to the mid-19th century.
Along with the bridge, there are also remnants from Ruff’s Mill (where a Civil War battle took place) and an old railroad bed that has been converted into a bike trail.
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4. Cromer’s Mill Covered Bridge
(Carnesville GA)
The Cromer family settled on Nails Creek in 1845 and operated a woolen mill near the land this bridge was built on.
They also later had a cotton gin, flour mill, and sawmill, although those operations all ceased by 1943.
In 1907, the county contracted with James M. Hunt to build the bridge, which can still be found on the property today.
It was constructed with a town lattice design, and was built to span 110 feet.
A descendent of the Cromer family, Will Cromer, later built the stone abutments that support this GA covered bridge.
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5. Elder Mill Covered Bridge
(Watkinsville GA)
The Elder Mill Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge along the Georgia Antebellum Trail.
It’s also one of only a few historic covered bridges in Georgia that still carries thru-traffic.
Nathaniel Richardson built the 99-foot-long bridge in 1897, using the town lattice design to span Calls Creek on the road from Watkinsville to Athens.
In 1924, it was moved by wagon to its current location spanning Rose Creek. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
For an especially beautiful sight, visit the bridge during the Christmas holidays to see it all lit up, thanks to a neighbor who decorates the bridge with Christmas lights each year!
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6. Parrish Mill Covered Bridge in George L. Smith State Park
(Twin City GA)
George L. Smith State Park is best known for the dam of Parrish Mill, its combination grist mill, and the covered bridge.
Located in a small town about halfway between Macon and Savannah, it’s one of the more secluded Georgia State Parks.
It’s an awesome place to “get away from it all,” where you can explore the area’s exquisite natural beauty and historic structures.
There are myriad campsites along the water’s edge, and cabins are scattered throughout the woods.
You can trek seven miles of hiking trails, or kayak/canoe in the mill pond for a great view from below the bridge.
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7. Euharlee Covered Bridge
(Euharlee GA)
The Euharlee Covered Bridge was built in 1886 by Jonathan H. Burke and Washington W. King.
The latter was the son of architect Horace King, a freed slave who is considered the most respected bridge builder of the 19th century Deep South. He built many impressive bridges in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.
The bridge spans 138 feet and crosses Euharlee Creek in Euharlee GA.
Next to the bridge is the Euharlee History Museum, which was founded by a group of local residents in 1997.
The museum and welcome center showcase the history of the town and surrounding area through educational events, local outreach, and interpretive exhibits.
The bridge is open seven days a week, while the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday.
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8. Haralson Mill Covered Wooden Bridge
(Conyers GA)
This covered bridge in Conyers was built in 1997, replacing a historic ford that crossed Haralson Mill Road.
The bridge is 150 feet long and 36 feet wide, and was the first of its kind to be built in North Georgia since the 1890s.
The wooden bridge was chosen instead of the usual concrete and steel structures because of its historical significance.
In fact, specific bridge designs from the early 1800s were considered during construction.
Immediately south of the bridge is the Haralson Mill Historic District, which includes the Haralson Mill House, the old mill site, a general store, and a blacksmith shop.
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9. Howard’s Bridge
(Lexington GA)
Constructed in Lexington GA (near Athens) in 1904 to 1905, Howard’s Bridge is 164 feet long.
It was built by convicts with timber transported from south Georgia via the Smith & Dunlap Railroad.
The bridge goes over Big Cloud’s Creek, and features a historical marker posted by the Georgia Historical Society.
After suffering some neglect and all-around wear and tear, the Oglethorpe County bridge was repaired in April of 1998. As a result, it is still standing strong today.
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10. Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge
(Ball Ground GA)
The site of Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge in Ball Ground has a rich history dating back to 1820.
Cherokee Chief George Welch constructed a grist mill, sawmill, and simple bridge at the site, and maintained the structures until the Cherokee Indians were forcibly removed via the Trail of Tears in 1838.
The original bridge was washed away by a flood in 1899, and a new bridge (the one you see today) was built in 1901.
It crosses over Settendown Creek, a tributary of the Etowah River, in Poole’s Mill Park.
The park spans 10 acres of land that showcases the bridge and has a variety of hiking trails, picnic spots, and even a playground for kids.
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11. Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge
(Woodbury GA)
The Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge is the only surviving bridge that was built by influential 19th century architect Horace King after he was freed from the bonds of slavery.
It was built with the town lattice design in the 1840s, and was later repaired in the 1980s. Today it stands as one of the oldest wood-covered bridges still in use in Georgia.
With a total length of 391 feet (including approaches), it’s also the longest wood-covered bridge left in Georgia.
Highly praised for its strength and durability, the bridge (which was featured in the film Lawless) is still open to traffic today.
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12. Stone Mountain Bridge
(Stone Mountain Park, GA)
This pine and cedar bridge was built in 1891 by Washington W. King.
It was originally located in Athens GA, where it connected downtown Athens with the North Georgia farms that were just across the Oconee River.
After two floods subjected the bridge to major damage in 1910 and 1963, it was partially disassembled and moved to its current location in 1965.
During the re-assembly process, it was shortened from its original length of 162 feet to 151 feet for its new home at Stone Mountain Park.
In its current location, the bridge connects the picturesque Indian Island in Stone Mountain Lake to the mainland.
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13. Stovall Mill Bridge
(Sautee Nacoochee GA)
In the late 1800s, Fred Dover constructed a covered bridge and grist, saw, and shingle mill complex in the Sautee Nacoochee area (just outside Helen GA).
After this original bridge was washed away in the 1890s, it was replaced by the bridge you can see today, which was built by Will Pardue in 1895.
The bridge crosses Chickamauga Creek near Helen, and was featured in the 1951 film, I’d Climb the Highest Mountain.
At just 38 feet long, the Stovall Mill Bridge is the shortest historic covered bridge in Georgia, but it lies just off the road and is only accessible to foot traffic.
Unfortunately, it has fallen victim to vandalism in recent years, and the walls inside the bridge are covered in graffiti.
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14. Watson Mill Bridge
(Comer GA)
Located just outside Athens in the tiny town of Comer, Watson Mill Bridge spans 229 feet across the South Fork River, making it one of the longest covered bridges in Georgia.
It’s located in Watson Mill Bridge State Park, which is a great place to enjoy a picnic or stay overnight in one of the campgrounds.
There are also biking and hiking trails that wind throughout the forest and alongside the river.
Washington W. King built the Watson Mill Bridge in 1885, using a town lattice truss system held together with wooden pins.
The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in Georgia in 1991.
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15. Vickery Creek/Roswell Mill Bridge
(Roswell GA)
The Roswell Mill Bridge is located at Old Mill Park in Roswell GA, which is part of the Chattahoochee River Recreation Area.
In the early 1800s the area was home to one of the first industrial centers in Georgia, Roswell Manufacturing, and the largest cotton mill prior to the Civil War.
The mill was powered by Vickery Creek, and produced myriad textiles and yarns.
The Mill and the original bridge that spanned Vickery Creek were burned down during the Civil War, after which some of the structures were eventually rebuilt.
In 2005, the covered bridge you can see today was built to connect Old Mill Park to some six miles of hiking trails, featuring one of the most spectacular man-made waterfalls in Georgia. -by Christina Maggitas
