A waterfall runs directly beneath one of the covered bridges on this list, giving autumn leaves some serious competition.
It is wonderful how a wooden crossing can share the spotlight with moving water instead of standing alone beside a road.
Elsewhere, a bridge used by Civil War armies now welcomes pedestrians, while another still carries traffic through farm country.
Those different roles make Pennsylvania’s covered bridges more interesting than a collection of pretty wooden frames, especially when you notice how their surroundings shape the view.
Fall gives you another reason to slow down and look beyond the entrance.
Creek banks, park trails, and wooded hills can become part of the same outing, without requiring a packed schedule or an ambitious hike.
I’d rather leave room for a second look than rush toward the next photo.
Which sounds more tempting: a creekside stroll, a countryside drive, or that waterfall?
1. Historic Sachs Covered Bridge
Cars have to sit this one out, which gives your covered bridge visit a pleasantly different rhythm. Sachs welcomes pedestrians across its 100-foot span, with Marsh Creek providing the scenery below.
You can take your time studying the wooden structure without sharing the crossing with through traffic. That makes it a useful choice when your idea of sightseeing includes stopping to notice small details.
The bridge also carries a substantial chapter of Pennsylvania history alongside its scenic appeal. Both Union and Confederate armies used the crossing during the Gettysburg campaign, giving the location meaning beyond its fall colors.
Look at the crisscrossed wooden members that form its Town truss design as you move through the interior. You don’t need engineering training to appreciate how a repeated pattern becomes part of the bridge’s visual character.
Outside, include some creek bank in your photographs rather than cropping tightly around the roof and entrance. When water and light conditions cooperate, reflections can add interest without requiring a dramatic camera angle or special equipment.
Pair the stop with other Gettysburg sightseeing, but leave room for an unhurried walk across the bridge itself. Comfortable shoes and an extra layer help make a short outdoor visit more enjoyable when autumn temperatures shift.
For families, a pedestrian crossing offers a straightforward chance to compare the view from each end together. Stay mindful near the creek, and let the bridge’s history start a conversation instead of turning the outing into homework.
Address: Waterworks Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
2. Historic Forksville Covered Bridge
A mountain town gives this working covered bridge a backdrop that doesn’t need much help from your camera. Forksville’s setting brings the crossing and surrounding hills into the same small-town outing.
The bridge remains in use, so treat it as part of the road rather than a closed display. Watch for approaching traffic, and choose a safe viewing position before pausing to admire the woodwork or take photographs.
Among Sullivan County’s three covered bridges, this one offers an appealing mix of useful infrastructure and scenic interest. You can appreciate the craftsmanship while remembering that the structure still has an everyday job to do.
Fall makes the wider setting worth your attention, especially when the forested mountain slopes show changing leaves. Instead of chasing only an entrance photo, look for a composition that connects the bridge with its surroundings.
A nearby general store and restaurant give you an option for extending the stop beyond bridge viewing. Check their separate schedules before planning a meal, since the bridge’s accessibility doesn’t establish a neighboring business’s opening hours.
You might prefer to make Forksville part of a leisurely drive through the Endless Mountains rather than a single destination. Leave time between stops so you can enjoy the route without feeling pressured to collect photographs on a deadline.
Keep your plans flexible, because foliage timing and weather can change the look of a mountain outing. The wooden crossing still gives you something concrete to study when the leaves haven’t reached your preferred shade yet.
Address: Bridge St, Forksville, PA 18616
3. Historic Poole Forge Covered Bridge
Your picnic gets a historical upgrade when a covered bridge shares the park with old buildings and walking paths. Poole Forge lets you turn bridge viewing into a relaxed break in the Pennsylvania countryside.
The grounds include a river, picnic tables, and places to sit, giving you several reasons to linger. Bring a simple lunch if that suits your day, then save some time for exploring on foot afterward.
Rather than treating the bridge as an isolated roadside stop, notice how it fits into the larger historic property. Nearby buildings add context, while the park setting gives your outing room to stretch beyond a single photograph.
Walking paths offer another way to enjoy autumn without committing to a lengthy hike or a complicated route. Choose a comfortable pace and watch the ground, especially where fallen leaves may cover uneven or damp spots.
Available parking makes it practical to leave your vehicle and take a closer look at the surrounding grounds. Follow posted directions when you arrive, since access arrangements matter more than assumptions about how a covered crossing usually works.
For photographs, consider including the river or trees so the season becomes part of the composition. A wider frame can explain why the location appeals to you better than a close view of wooden siding alone.
I like an outing that leaves space for lunch, a short walk, and a little curiosity about the past. Here, you can choose that slower rhythm without building the entire day around a demanding outdoor adventure.
Address: 131 S Pool Forge Rd, Narvon, PA 17555
4. Historic Kurtz’s Mill Covered Bridge
A park walk can come with a wooden roof, at least for the stretch across this historic bridge. Kurtz’s Mill combines a covered crossing with trails and creekside scenery in Lancaster County Park.
The bridge spans Mill Creek and measures 94 feet, making its structure worth more than a passing glance. Its double Burr arch truss combines curved supports with a wooden framework that you can study while crossing.
You can walk or drive over the bridge, so keep traffic in mind when exploring its interior. If you’re taking photographs, step into a safe position instead of letting an interesting angle distract you from approaching vehicles.
Surrounding parkland gives you options after you’ve looked at the crossing itself, including hiking trails and a waterside walking path. Choose a route that matches your available daylight, especially if your bridge stop begins late in the afternoon.
Autumn leaves can make the creek and neighboring trees as interesting as the bridge’s wooden lines. Try taking one wider photograph of the setting, then a closer image that focuses on the structure and its supports.
Bring comfortable walking shoes even if you originally planned only a brief visit and a few pictures. A park setting makes it easy to add a stroll, and suitable footwear gives you more freedom to change plans.
Families can use the stop to notice how an old-fashioned bridge still fits into a place used for recreation. Let younger companions choose a detail to examine, whether that’s the roof, an arch, or the creek below.
Address: Kiwanis Dr, Lancaster, PA 17602
5. Barronvale Covered Bridge
At just over 162 feet, Somerset County’s longest remaining covered bridge gives your wide-angle lens a proper assignment. Barronvale rewards a look at the whole span, not merely a photograph of its entrance.
The historic crossing stands in a creek valley near Rockwood and no longer serves regular vehicle traffic. Its setting lets you focus on the structure as a landmark rather than watching a steady stream of passing cars.
A historical plaque offers something to read before you start deciding which camera angle looks most promising. Take a moment with it, then compare the information with the wooden crossing in front of you.
Creek access on the northwest side provides another perspective on the landmark and its surrounding autumn scenery. Judge footing carefully before moving closer to the water, because fallen leaves can conceal changes in the ground beneath them.
You won’t need an admission budget for this free-entry landmark, which makes a brief visit easy to fit into a drive. Several other covered bridges lie in the area, though a relaxed itinerary beats trying to rush between them.
Let the bridge’s length guide your photographs, with enough space in the frame to show its creekside surroundings. If the leaves cooperate, they can supply the decoration while the long wooden span handles the main event.
Address: Rockwood, PA 15557
6. Historic McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge
A covered bridge, a gristmill, and a rocky gorge make a convincing case for clearing your afternoon schedule. At McConnells Mill State Park, you can build an outing around more than a quick photograph of the entrance.
The historic crossing spans Slippery Rock Creek and remains open to both vehicles and pedestrians. Surrounding forest gives the bridge its autumn setting, while the creek adds another layer to views from nearby ground.
You don’t need an ambitious hiking plan to appreciate the pairing of the bridge and nearby mill. Start with those landmarks, then decide how much time and energy you want to give the surrounding trails.
For a longer visit, the park offers extensive hiking routes through a landscape of large rocks and crevices. Wear shoes with dependable grip, because fallen leaves can hide uneven footing and make damp surfaces harder to judge.
The mill adds useful context to the scene rather than serving as just another building in your photograph. Interior access follows a separate schedule, so check park information before making a mill tour central to your plans.
Try framing the bridge with the creek and trees instead of taking only a straight shot through its opening. Keep clear of moving vehicles, and choose a safe place to stop before reaching for your camera or phone.
I like the variety here: you can focus on engineering, woodland scenery, or a manageable afternoon outdoors. Give yourself enough daylight to enjoy the setting without turning the return walk into a hurried finish.
Address: McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, PA 16051
7. Historic Banks Covered Bridge
A television filming credit gives this country crossing a conversation starter beyond the usual discussion of wooden beams. Banks Covered Bridge served as a location for an episode of The West Wing, and it remains in use.
You can visit the single-lane crossing during a drive through the farmland around Volant in Lawrence County. The rural setting is part of its appeal, so give the approach some attention rather than watching only for the entrance.
Because the bridge still carries traffic, resist the temptation to treat its roadway as a place for lingering. Pull over only where it’s safe and permitted, then look around without blocking drivers or interfering with the crossing.
The surrounding Amish country adds context to the countryside route, but private properties aren’t part of the attraction. Keep your photographs centered on the bridge and public surroundings, and respect the people who use these roads daily.
Fly fishing is associated with the bridge area, offering another possible reason to spend time nearby. If you plan to fish, check Pennsylvania license requirements and applicable rules before packing your gear or choosing a place to cast.
For a fall photograph, look for an angle that includes seasonal trees alongside the working wooden structure. You don’t need to recreate a television scene to make the stop memorable; the actual location supplies plenty of interest.
I like the combination of screen trivia and a bridge that still performs its original kind of job. Let the outing stay simple: a countryside drive, a careful stop, and time to appreciate the setting.
Address: 202 Covered Bridge Rd, Volant, PA 16156
8. Historic Packsaddle Covered Bridge
A waterfall beneath a covered bridge feels like nature decided the wooden span needed its own supporting act. Packsaddle brings those two features together over Brush Creek in a secluded Somerset County setting.
The 48-foot crossing dates to 1870 and remains open to vehicles, so your photo stop needs a little planning. Keep the roadway clear, and find a safe place to look before concentrating on the bridge and water.
Its multiple kingpost truss and substantial stone abutments give you details to notice beyond the waterfall. The short span also offers a useful contrast to longer covered bridges elsewhere, especially if you’re comparing structures during your trip.
Fall leaves can help frame the crossing, but water conditions will influence how the waterfall appears on your visit. Avoid building expectations around a particular photograph, since creek flow and seasonal color don’t follow a photographer’s preferred schedule.
An informational plaque near the eastern end adds a little background to the scene without requiring a lengthy detour. Read it before heading toward another viewpoint, and let the bridge’s construction become part of what you notice.
Photograph from stable ground and resist climbing onto wet rocks for a closer view of the falling water. A secure viewpoint gives you time to adjust your composition while keeping your attention on the landscape rather than your balance.
Bring enough daylight for the approach, the stop, and the drive onward through this rural area near Fairhope. The bridge and waterfall already share the spotlight nicely; your main assignment is simply to enjoy their autumn pairing.
Address: 682 Packsaddle Rd, Fairhope, PA 15538
