PA Covered Bridges

Exploring the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County

Somerset County's Longest Covered Bridge

A picture-perfect winter day at the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA

The Barronvale Covered Bridge isn’t just the longest covered bridge in Somerset County.

It’s one of the longest covered bridges in all of Pennsylvania!

Aerial side view oof the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA. — Aerial side view of the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA.

So if visiting the biggest and best covered bridges in PA is on your bucket list, you have to make visiting this elongated beauty a priority!

Barronvale Covered Bridge FAQs

Where is the Barronvale Covered Bridge located?

The Barronvale Covered Bridge is located just off of Covered Bridge Road in southwestern Somerset County.
It is approximately 5 miles west of New Centerville, or 3 miles southwest of Laurel Hill State Park. Map to Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania.

Can I navigate to the Barronvale Covered Bridge by GPS?

Yes – use GPS coordinates 39.953030, -79.269958.
Aerial front view of the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA

When was the Barronvale Covered Bridge built?

1830.
A chilly winter scene at the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania

Who built the Barronvale Covered Bridge?

Cassimer Cramer, at a cost of $300.00.

History of the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania.

How long is the Barronvale Covered Bridge?

162 feet long.
A blue sky summer morning at the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA

What type of trusses were used to construct the Barronvale Covered Bridge?

The Barronvale Covered Bridge utilizes Burr-arch trusses in its construction, the most common style of trusses used in the remaining covered bridges in Pennsylvania.
The Burr-arch trusses inside the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania.

What are the inventory numbers for the Barronvale Covered Bridge?

The World Guide to Covered Bridges inventory number for this bridge is 38-56-03.
The National Register of Historic Places inventory number for Barronvale Bridge is 80003633.

Laurel Highlands fall foliage in full swing at the Barronvale Covered Bridge, Somerset County PA

What body of water does Barronvale Covered Bridge span?

Laurel Hill Creek.
A late summer/early autumn view of Barronvale Covered Bridge and Laurel Hill Creek in Somerset County, PA

Can I drive through the Barronvale Covered Bridge?

No – only foot traffic is permitted on the bridge.
Large boulders on either side prevent vehicles from entering and damaging the bridge.
A light dusting of snow at the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA.

When to Visit the Barronvale Covered Bridge

There is really no bad time to visit the Barronvale Bridge.

In the spring and summer it is enveloped in greenery and wild flowers.

Springtime greenery emerging around the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA — Springtime greenery emerging around the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA.

It also makes a great autumn location for “leaf peeping” in the Laurel Highlands.

Autumn arrives in the Laurel Highlands at the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA.

And of course in the winter the bright red (as are all Somerset County covered bridges) bridge really stands out against a snow white backdrop.

A low-angle winter view of Laurel Hill Creek and the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA — A low-angle winter view of Laurel Hill Creek and the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA.

Final Thoughts

The Barronvale Covered Bridge is an exceptionally well-maintained covered bridge that is pleasant to visit any time of the year.

The fact that it is only open to foot traffic, and has plentiful parking makes it easy to spend as much time as you want to exploring it.

The Barronvale Covered Bridge.

Somerset County’s longest covered bridge.

Put it on your PA Bucket List!

Looking for more Somerset County Covered Bridges?

Kings Covered Bridge is located one mile from the Barronvale Covered Bridge, and also spans Laurel Hill Creek.

A springtime view of Kings Covered Bridge in Somerset County.

The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge is the most famous covered bridge in Somerset County.

A lone fisherman on Brush Creek below the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA.

Lower Humbert Covered Bridge is the southernmost covered bridge in Somerset County.

Autumn at Lower Humbert Covered Bridge — Lower Humbert Covered Bridge near Confluence, Somerset County.

Glessner Covered Bridge is on the outskirts of Shanksville, near the Flight 93 Memorial.

The Glessner Covered Bridge over the Stoneycreek River near Shanksville PA — The Glessner Covered Bridge over the Stoneycreek River near Shanksville, PA.

New Baltimore Covered Bridge spans the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River in eastern Somerset County.

New Baltimore Covered Bridge in the fall.

For complete driving tour directions to all 10 Somerset County covered bridges, be sure to check out my write-up “Exploring the Covered Bridges of Somerset County”.

Fall foliage at Walters Mill Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA — Walter’s Mill Covered Bridge in Somerset County.

Nearby Attractions

If waterfalls are your thing, be sure to check out 22 Must-See Waterfalls in the Laurel Highlands.

Selfie at Lower Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park — The author at Lower Jonathan Run Falls in the Laurel Highlands.

If mountain vistas are your thing, be sure to check out “The 11 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Laurel Highlands”.

Beam Rocks Overlook in the Forbes State Forest.

For a unique underground experience, the Big Savage Tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage offers you the chance to hike/bike a 3,294 foot long former railroad tunnel, originally constructed in 1912.