Drawing travelers and history buffs from across the country, Georgia’s covered bridges intrigue most with their rustic charm and mysterious atmosphere. Dating back to the early 1800s, these historic covered bridges are certainly worth planning a trip to Georgia, namely North Georgia. In fact, when you stay in Blue Ridge, GA, you’ll be within a reasonable drive to most of the covered bridges in North Georgia, making it an easy trip to see many notable covered bridges in the state.
Photo opportunities are ideal anytime of year — surrounded by a colorful backdrop in fall, blanketed with snow in winter (exclusive to northernmost regions), kissed by wildflowers in spring, and enveloped by lush growth in summer. Decorated with picturesque scenes, it’s no surprise visitors to Blue Ridge find themselves attracted to find and explore gorgeous covered bridges nearby.
How many covered bridges are in Georgia?
In total, there are roughly 16 covered bridges in Georgia — with 7 nestled in North Georgia. Only 13 Georgia covered bridges are still functional throughout the state.
North Georgia Covered Bridges
Romantic by day and mysterious by night, North Georgia’s covered bridges beckon visitors of all ages to come see their unique designs and builds. While on your Blue Ridge vacation, make time to check out a few of these enchanting historic structures — including the longest covered bridge in all the state!
Concord Covered Bridge in Smyrna | Built in 1848
Looking for the most popular covered bridge in Georgia? Concord Bridge in Smyrna takes first prize with the highest traffic count of all the covered bridges in the state — combined. This North Georgia covered bridge stretches about 132 feet across Nickajack Creek, making its second name Nickajack Creek Covered Bridge.
Cromer’s Mill Covered Bridge in Carnesville | Built in 1906
Featuring a Town lattice design and extending 132 feet across Nails Creek, Cromer’s Mill Covered Bridge in Carnesville is a beautiful find with many trees and lush grass surrounding the structure. It’s a top spot to whip out your camera for a scenic selfie!
Euharlee Covered Bridge in Euharlee | Built in 1886
West of Cartersville, GA, is the Euharlee Covered Bridge in…Euharlee! Leading across Euharlee Creek, this covered bridge in North Georgia spans 138 feet. If you’re really into history, pop into the Euharlee History Museum just minutes from the bridge.
Hurricane Shoals Covered Bridge in Maysville | Built in 1884, Rebuilt in 2002
Crossing the North Oconee River, Hurricane Shoals Covered Bridge in Maysville spans 127 feet. Although the original build was set on fire by vandals in 1972, a newly constructed covered bridge was erected in 2002 to commemorate the historic work. Upon closer look, you can still see portions of the original footings.
Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge in Cumming | Built in 1901
Tucked away in Poole’s Mill Park — a unique 10-acre property with play areas, nature trails, and picnic tables in Cumming, GA — Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge features a more open-air design. Spanning Settendown Creek (about 95 feet), this Georgia covered bridge replaced an original uncovered bridge built by Cherokee Chief Georgia Welch in the 1820s.
Stovall Mill Covered Bridge in Sautee Nacoochee | Built in 1895
Resting over Chickamauga Creek is the smallest covered bridge (still open to the public) in all of Georgia — Stovall Mill Covered Bridge in the Sautee Nacoochee and Helen area. It was constructed with a queen post truss design and spans 37 feet. A nice picnic area invites you to relax with family and friends over a yummy meal (grab some bits from the weekly farmers market) while taking in the sounds and sights of this peaceful bridge.
Watson Mill Bridge in Comer | Built in 1885
Reigning as the longest covered bridge in the state, Watson Mill Bridge in Comer spans a whopping 229 feet across the South Fork of the Broad River and is 236 feet long in total. Visit Watson Mill Bridge State Park to check out this monster of a bridge in North Georgia!
South Georgia Covered Bridges
To the east, west, and south of Atlanta, you’ll find even more covered bridges in South Georgia. These stunning structures are worth mentioning for any covered bridge enthusiasts who want to know more about these historic gems in the great Peach State.
Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge in Thomaston | Built in 1892, Rebuilt in 1997
Perhaps the funnest to pronounce (or attempt anyway) is Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge in Thomaston, GA. This 96-foot-long bridge is also known as the Hootenville Covered Bridge, spanning Auchumpkee Creek in the Hootenville Militia District of Upson County. Originally destroyed after nearly a century by floodwaters in 1994, it was later rebuilt.
Callaway Gardens Covered Bridge in Pine Mountain | Built in 1870
At 60 feet long, Callaway Gardens Covered Bridge in Harris County is a modest covered bridge in South Georiga. Originally built in Troup County across Wehadkee Creek, the bridge was saved and moved to Callaway Gardens when a new dam threatened to sink the historic bridge.
Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge in Blakely | Built in 1891
Notably the southernmost historic covered bridge in the country, Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge styles a modified queen post truss and unique angled rods. Stretching 96 feet across Cohelee Creek in the tree-studded woods of Blakely, GA, this covered bridge is a beautiful sight.
Elder Mill Covered Bridge in Watkinsville | Built in 1897
Just east of Atlanta, you can drive through Elder Mill Covered Bridge for the full experience or pull over to take in the enchanting scenery. This wooden covered bridge reaches 99 feet across and was moved from Calls Creek to Rose Creek in 1924.
George L. Smith State Park Covered Bridge in Twin City | Built in 1880
Take a self-guided tour through the covered bridge at George L. Smith State Park. It’s a lovely historic bridge that’s part of the refurbished Parish Mill — also encompassing a grist mill, a sawmill, and a dam — set in an outdoorsy paradise.
Rockdale County Covered Bridge in Conyers | Built in 1997
Formerly known as Haralson Mill Bridge, Rockdale County Covered Bridge is nestled in Conyers, GA, spanning the shoals of Mill Rock Creek. As the first of its kind (a wooden covered bridge) to be built in Georgia since the 1890s, it features a stunning lattice design with lights inside. Nearby you’ll find a general store, an old mill site, a blacksmith shop, and the Haralson Mill House.
Howard’s Bridge in Lexington | Built in 1905
Reaching 168 feet across Big Clouds Creek, Howards’ Bridge in Lexington is a charming historic covered bridge in Georgia. Fun fact: it was named after the original pioneer family that settled in the area almost 250 years ago in the late 1700s.
Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge in Woodbury | Built in Early 1840s
Constructed with a Town lattice design by Horace King, a freed slave and expert bridge builder of his time, Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge is a stunning sight. As the only surviving bridge of this design by Horace King, it’s a remarkable bridge, to say the least. Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge is also the oldest covered bridge in Georgia and the longest wooden bridge in the state at 391 feet total!
Stone Mountain Bridge in Athens | Built in 1891
Made of pine and cedarwood, Stone Mountain Bridge at Stone Mountain Park lies just east of Atlanta. Moved from the North Fork of the Oconee River to Stone Mountain Lake in 1969, this Georgia covered bridge now leads to Indian Island — 151 feet across the shoals to a picnic paradise.
Georgia Cabins for YOU
Where to stay when exploring the many covered bridges in North Georgia? Georgia Cabins for YOU just makes sense. Staying at a cabin rental in Blue Ridge will keep you within driving distance to many of the area’s best covered bridges. Oh, and did we mention the gorgeous river or mountain views?
Check out as many North Georgia covered bridges as you like, then return to relax in a hot tub, sip local wine by the fireplace, shoot pool with friends and family, or hit the hay early in your king suite. Book online today or reach out to us anytime at 1.800.580.5524 to plan your memorable mountain getaway!
