Springwater Covered Bridge, Saxeville
In 1989 the town of Saxeville in Waushara County wanted to build a modern bridge across the Pine River south of Waupaca. But locals wanted something more picturesque and raised money and volunteered their time to build a scenic, one-lane wooden structure in 1997. If it looks like the Smith Rapids bridge, that’s no coincidence — the town visited that bridge for inspiration and built theirs in the same style, a design patented by Ithiel Towne in 1820.
Find it: On Covered Bridge Road between County Highway A and Portage Road, about 6 miles east of Wild Rose. Search Google Maps for Volunteer Fire Department Park and Covered Bridge in Wild Rose.
Bridge 18, Kickapoo Valley Reserve
In Wisconsin’s hilly Driftless Region, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve protects 8,600 acres of that unique topography, including part of the winding Kickapoo River. Near the reserve’s visitor center north of La Farge, the Old Highway 131 Trail crosses that river via a lovely lattice bridge. The paved, multi-use trail is open to hiking year-round.
Find it: On maps of the reserve, the covered bridge is labeled as Bridge 18. From the visitor center at S3661 Highway 131, La Farge, follow the Old Harris Road Trail west to the Old Highway 131 trail. Turn south to find Bridge 18 over the Kickapoo River. Note that the trails around the visitor center are not paved. Day use permits to hike in the reserve are $5 per person and are available at the visitor center.
Glacial River Trail Red Covered Bridge, Fort Atkinson
This red covered bridge is part of the Glacial River Trail, a 39-mile on- and offroad bike trail between Watertown and Janesville (it connects with the Glacial Drumlin State Trail north of Jefferson).
South of Fort Atkinson, the off-road paved trail follows an old railroad bed along Highway 26. The bridge is a nod to that past and was designed to look like a train caboose, complete with a cupola on top; some of the hardware used to build it came from the old railroad. It was built in 2000, and the wood came from a local barn that was built in 1906.
Find it: The bridge is south of Fort Atkinson on the west side of Highway 26, north of County Line Road. Find parking for the trail at County Line Road and Old Highway 26. From there, it’s a half-mile walk or ride north to the bridge.
Clarence Covered Bridge, Brodhead
Here’s another covered bridge on a rail-trail, this one the 24-mile Sugar River State Trail between New Glarus and Brodhead. The crushed-stone trail crosses the Sugar River and its tributaries via a handful of trestle bridges and this replica covered bridge, built in 1984 over Norwegian Creek. The original bridge crossed the Sugar River south of Brodhead on what is now Highway 11.
Brodhead celebrates the bridge during the Covered Bridge Days festival every August.
Find it: Northwest of Golf Course Road, about 2 miles north of Brodhead. The bridge is marked on the DNR’s map of the trail: dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/ name/sugarriver. Cyclists age 16 and older need a state trail pass to ride the trail ($5/day, $25/year).
Elroy Pedestrian Covered Bridge, Elroy
Wisconsin has a thing for covered bridges on bike trails. This open-lattice truss bridge built in Elroy in 1998 is on the 12.5-mile Omaha Trail and is close to two other bike trails: the Elroy-Sparta State Trail — the country’s first railtrail, which passes through three historic The Old Highway 131 Trail crosses the Kickapoo River via Bridge 18 in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
railroad tunnels — and the 400 State Trail. (Note that all trails experienced damage from floods this summer; check trail conditions before you head out.)
Find it: East of Highway 80, near the intersection of North St. and 2nd Main St. as the trail crosses the Baraboo River. Cyclists age 18 and older need a Juneau County trails pass ($2/day, $10/year); they’re available at the Elroy Commons Trail Shop, 303 Railroad St., which also has parking and information on the area’s trails.
Horton Bridge, Amnicon Falls State Park, South Range
This footbridge crosses the Amnicon River between Upper and Lower Amnicon Falls, a scenic cascade that plunges then slides over craggy black basalt rock. The Horton bridge was originally not covered and was on a highway over the river near the park. It was moved to the park in 1930 and a roof was added in 1939; the roof has been replaced twice since and it continues to serve as a favorite spot for photos in the park.
Find it: In Amnicon Falls State Park, 4279 South County Highway U, South Range, about 15 miles southeast of Superior.