Discover 8 Of Maine’s Most Picturesque Hidden Bridges On This Trip
There’s a kind of quiet magic in Maine that most people just drive right past. It’s tucked along back roads, where old covered bridges still stand with their weathered wood and simple, careful craftsmanship.
You don’t really expect them, and then suddenly there one is, and you can’t help but slow down. Stepping inside feels different, too.
The light softens, the sounds change, and for a moment everything feels a little more still. It’s a small thing, but it sticks with you.
These bridges are scattered through Maine’s forests, hills, and farmland, each with its own story and personality. Some sit beside calm water, others feel almost hidden among the trees.
Take your time, bring a camera, and let the road lead you, you’ll be glad you did.
1. Babb’s Bridge, South Windham / Gorham
Few things in Maine feel as satisfying as finding a covered bridge tucked along a quiet back road, and Babb’s Bridge delivers exactly that kind of reward. Spanning the Presumpscot River on the border between South Windham and Gorham, this bridge has been a local landmark for generations.
The current structure is a reconstruction, rebuilt after the original was lost to arson in 1973, and it was carefully restored in a historic style commonly identified as a queenpost or Howe truss design.
The bridge sits in a peaceful, wooded setting that makes it feel far removed from the busy world just a short drive away. In autumn, the surrounding maples and birches turn brilliant shades of orange and red, creating a postcard-worthy scene that photographers chase every year.
Spring brings rushing water beneath the bridge, while summer offers a shaded, cool crossing that feels almost like stepping into another century.
The area around Babb’s Bridge is also a popular spot for a quiet picnic or a short walk along the riverbank. Families enjoy bringing kids here to skip stones and explore the gentle shoreline.
The bridge is open to both vehicle and foot traffic, so you can drive or walk across and peer through the wooden slats at the river flowing below.
It is one of those places where time seems to slow down in the best possible way, and you will almost certainly want to linger longer than you planned before moving on to the next stop on your Maine bridge adventure.
2. Hemlock Bridge, Fryeburg
Built in 1857, Hemlock Bridge in Fryeburg is one of the oldest surviving covered bridges in Maine, and it wears its age with remarkable grace. The bridge spans the Old Course of the Saco River, a gentle, meandering channel that winds through some of the most beautiful farmland in western Maine.
Getting there involves a short drive down a dirt road, which only adds to the sense of discovery when the bridge finally comes into view.
The Paddleford truss construction is sturdy and impressive, and the weathered red exterior gives the bridge a warm, rustic look that fits perfectly into the surrounding landscape. Tall hemlock trees shade the approach on both sides, keeping the area cool even on the hottest summer days.
The river here is calm and shallow, making it a favorite spot for wading, kayaking, and simply sitting on the bank and watching the water drift by.
What makes Hemlock Bridge particularly special is how untouched it feels. There are no crowds, no gift shops, and no admission fees.
Just you, the bridge, the trees, and the soft sound of the river.
The nearby town of Fryeburg offers charming shops and a classic New England main street if you want to extend your visit. The Fryeburg Fair, held every October, draws visitors from across the region and makes this corner of Maine especially lively in the fall.
Hemlock Bridge is the kind of place that stays with you long after you have driven away, quietly reminding you that the best things really are free.
3. Lovejoy Bridge, South Andover
At just 70 feet long, Lovejoy Bridge in South Andover might be the shortest covered bridge in Maine, but do not let its modest size fool you. This compact crossing over the Ellis River packs a serious amount of charm into every inch.
Built in 1868, it has survived more than 150 years of New England winters, spring floods, and the general wear that comes with being a working piece of history in a rural community.
The setting is genuinely lovely. Rolling hills rise behind the bridge, and the Ellis River flows clearly beneath it, reflecting the sky and the surrounding trees.
In summer, wildflowers grow along the banks, and the air carries that particular freshness that only comes from being deep in the Maine countryside.
Autumn is spectacular here, with the hills turning fiery shades of gold and crimson that frame the bridge like a painting.
South Andover is a tiny community in the Oxford Hills region, and visiting Lovejoy Bridge gives you a real sense of what rural Maine life looks like away from the tourist trail. The roads leading to the bridge pass through quiet farmland and dense forest, offering plenty of scenic views along the way.
There is a small pull-off area where you can park and walk across the bridge on foot, giving you a chance to appreciate the craftsmanship up close. Running your hand along the old wooden beams, you get a genuine sense of connection to the people who built and used this bridge more than a century and a half ago.
4. Lowes Bridge, Guilford
Crossing the Piscataquis River in the small town of Guilford, Lowes Bridge is one of those places that feels genuinely off the beaten path even though it is not far from a main road.
Originally built in 1857, the bridge was destroyed by flooding in 1987 and replaced in 1990 with a modern covered bridge based on a historic Long truss design. That combination of age and engineering makes it a fascinating stop for history lovers and architecture fans alike.
The bridge is still open to vehicle traffic, which means you can actually drive through it, an experience that is surprisingly fun and a little bit thrilling.
The wooden boards rattle pleasantly underfoot, and the enclosed space creates a brief, cozy tunnel effect that makes the open river view on the other side feel even more dramatic. The Piscataquis River below is wide and scenic, popular with local anglers who know its reputation for good fishing.
Guilford itself is a small, friendly community in Piscataquis County, surrounded by forests and farmland that characterize this quieter part of central Maine. The town has a modest downtown with a few local shops and diners where you can grab a bite after your bridge visit.
Lowes Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a recognition that reflects just how significant it is to Maine’s architectural heritage. Visiting feels less like a tourist activity and more like being let in on a well-kept local secret that the town is quietly proud of.
5. Robyville Bridge, Corinth
There is something wonderfully unexpected about Robyville Bridge, a single-span covered bridge that stands quietly along a back road in the small town of Corinth in Penobscot County. Built around 1876, the bridge crosses Kenduskeag Stream and has been a fixture of this rural community for nearly 150 years.
It is a Long truss bridge, a design closely associated with Maine’s covered bridge heritage, and it remains in remarkably good condition considering its age.
The surrounding landscape is classic central Maine: tall pines, rolling hills, and a stream that reflects the tree canopy above it. In spring, the stream runs high and fast, creating a satisfying soundtrack as you stand on the bridge and look downstream.
By midsummer, the water calms and the area becomes a peaceful retreat from the heat, shaded by the bridge’s wooden walls and the thick forest nearby.
Corinth is not a town that shows up on most tourist maps, and that is exactly what makes a visit here feel so rewarding. You are not sharing the experience with a crowd.
You might have the bridge entirely to yourself, which gives you the freedom to take your time, take your photos, and really absorb the atmosphere.
The roads around Corinth wind through farmland and woodland, making the drive itself part of the pleasure. If you enjoy finding places that feel genuinely undiscovered, Robyville Bridge should absolutely be on your Maine itinerary.
It is a small treasure hiding in plain sight, waiting for curious travelers to find it.
6. Sunday River / Artist’s Covered Bridge, Newry
Of all the covered bridges on this list, the Sunday River Bridge in Newry might be the most photographed, and once you see it, the reason is completely obvious.
Officially known as the Artist’s Covered Bridge, this stunning red structure spans the Sunday River against a backdrop of western Maine mountains, creating a scene so beautiful that it has attracted painters and photographers for well over a century.
The nickname comes from the many landscape artists who set up their easels here in the late 1800s, drawn by the same dramatic scenery that still pulls visitors today.
Built in 1872, the bridge uses a Paddleford truss design and sits just a short distance from the Sunday River ski resort, and it is now open to pedestrians only. In the warmer months, the river is a favorite for swimming and picnicking, with clear, cold water running over smooth rocks beneath the bridge.
In winter, the snow-covered bridge framed by bare birches and mountain ridges looks like something out of a holiday card.
The town of Newry is small but beautifully situated in Oxford County, close to Bethel and the White Mountain foothills. The drive to the bridge along Sunday River Road is scenic on its own, passing through open meadows and dense forest.
Whether you are a painter, a photographer, or simply someone who appreciates genuinely beautiful places, this bridge will not disappoint. It earns its artistic reputation every single season, and standing beside it, you completely understand why so many people felt compelled to capture it on canvas.
7. Porter-Parsonsfield Bridge, Parsonsfield
Connecting the towns of Porter and Parsonsfield in Maine, the Porter-Parsonsfield Bridge links two communities that have shared this crossing for generations.
It spans the Ossipee River between the town of Porter in Maine and Parsonsfield, connecting two communities that have shared this crossing for generations.
Built in 1859, the bridge uses a Paddleford truss design with laminated wooden arches, making it an especially interesting stop for covered bridge enthusiasts.
The Ossipee River is a beautiful body of water at this point, wide and clear, with forested banks that provide excellent scenery in every season.
Summer brings canoeists and kayakers paddling beneath the bridge, while fall transforms the surrounding hillsides into a blaze of color that makes the already-photogenic bridge look even more spectacular. The bridge is no longer open to vehicle traffic, but you can walk across it and enjoy the quiet rural setting.
The surrounding area offers a relaxed, rural atmosphere that feels genuinely unhurried. Small farms, stone walls, and winding roads characterize this corner of western Maine, and the drive through Parsonsfield is pleasant in its own right.
The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its importance as a piece of shared New England heritage. For travelers making a loop through southern Maine and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, this bridge makes a perfect and memorable midpoint stop on a scenic day trip.
8. Bennett Bridge, Lincoln Plantation
If you are the type of traveler who finds joy in going the extra mile, literally, then Bennett Bridge in Lincoln Plantation is the bridge you have been waiting for.
Located deep in the Oxford County wilderness near the New Hampshire border, this remote covered bridge spans the Magalloway River in one of the most rugged and scenic corners of Maine.
Getting there requires a commitment, with a long drive on logging roads that are best suited to vehicles with some clearance, but the reward at the end of that drive is absolutely worth the effort.
Built in 1901, Bennett Bridge is a Paddleford truss structure and one of the most isolated covered bridges in the entire state. The Magalloway River here is wild and fast-moving, framed by dense boreal forest that stretches in every direction without a building in sight.
Moose sightings in this area are common, especially in the early morning and around dusk, adding a genuine wildlife element to what is already a spectacular natural setting.
The Lincoln Plantation area is part of Maine’s remote western mountains, a region known for hunting, fishing, and serious outdoor adventure. Aziscohos Lake is nearby, offering excellent fishing and a stunning mountain backdrop.
Because the bridge sits so far off the main road and is closed to vehicle traffic, visitor numbers are low, and you are very likely to have the place entirely to yourself.
That sense of true solitude, combined with the beauty of the bridge and the river, makes Bennett Bridge the kind of discovery that serious Maine explorers talk about for years afterward.