PA Abandoned Places

Exploring Graffiti Bridge in Berks County

A collage of four photos taken at Graffiti Bridge in Berks County, PA. The first photo depicts the graffiti-covered bridge extending into the distance, surrounded by green trees and overlooking a water body. The second photo shows a close-up of the bridge railing with graffiti, including a large "Cancer 21" tag, and the lake in the background. The third photo features a colorful, graffiti-covered path curving through a green landscape with dense vegetation on both sides. The fourth photo captures a brightly painted concrete barrier with vibrant flowers and swirls, marking the entrance to the bridge, blending urban art with natural scenery just north of Reading, PA.

If you’re looking for information about visiting Graffiti Bridge in Berks County, you’re in the right place!

A colorful, graffiti-covered concrete bridge extends into the distance, flanked by dense green vegetation on both sides. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, features various street art and vibrant designs. The surrounding natural landscape includes lush trees and a body of water, creating a striking contrast between urban art and nature just north of Reading, PA.

Located just north of Reading, Graffiti Bridge is a 96-year-old, graffiti-covered, abandoned concrete bridge that spans Lake Ontelaunee and is part of the 0.7 mile-long West Shore Drive Trail.

A colorful, graffiti-covered concrete bridge extends into the distance, flanked by lush green trees on one side and a body of water on the other. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, features vibrant street art and messages, contrasting with the serene natural surroundings just north of Reading, PA. The greenery and water create a picturesque backdrop, enhancing the unique urban artwork displayed on the bridge.

For those who lament the loss of hiking along Graffiti Highway in Centralia, this is a safer, legal alternative.

A colorful, graffiti-covered path leads through a lush, green landscape. The path, part of the West Shore Road Trail, features vibrant street art and messages on its surface. Tall trees line one side of the trail, with glimpses of a calm body of water visible through the foliage. The combination of urban artwork and natural surroundings creates a unique visual experience just north of Reading, PA, near the abandoned Graffiti Bridge over Lake Ontelaunee.

Here, you can enjoy the vibrant street art without worrying about trespassing or safety hazards.

A colorful, graffiti-covered concrete bridge extends into the distance, with vibrant street art adorning its surface and railings. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, is surrounded by dense green trees and overlooks a body of water covered with lily pads. The combination of urban artwork and natural scenery creates a striking visual contrast just north of Reading, PA.

Directions to Graffiti Bridge

Graffiti Bridge is located at GPS coordinates 40.47069, -75.92066, along a now-abandoned portion of West Shore Drive.

Pull-off parking is available at either end of the West Shore Drive Trail; use GPS coordinates 40.47683, -75.91274 to find the parking at the northeastern end of the trail, and 40.47057, -75.92086 to find the parking area at the southwestern end of the trail.

A zoomed-out map showing the location of Graffiti Bridge over Lake Ontelaunee in Berks County, PA. The bridge is highlighted with a yellow pin labeled "Graffiti Bridge," and nearby parking areas are marked with red pins labeled "P." The map displays surrounding roads, including Ridge Road and the City of Reading Water Bureau, as well as contour lines indicating elevation. The bridge is part of the West Shore Road Trail, providing a clear view of its position over the lake and its proximity to Evansville and the surrounding landscape just north of Reading, PA.

If you’re not interested in hiking the entire trail and just want to see the bridge, park at the southwestern end of the trail, right next to the bridge.

A map showing the location of Graffiti Bridge over Lake Ontelaunee in Berks County, PA. The bridge is highlighted with a yellow pin labeled "Graffiti Bridge," and a nearby parking area is marked with a red pin labeled "P." The map details surrounding roads, including Ridge Road and the City of Reading Water Bureau, as well as contour lines indicating elevation. The bridge is part of the West Shore Road Trail, situated just north of Reading, PA, and the map provides a clear view of the trail's path and the bridge's position over the lake.

Lake Ontelaunee the second-largest lake in Berks County, and is owned by the city of Reading.

A wooden sign with white text stands on a grassy area, providing information about Lake Ontelaunee Watershed, managed by the City of Reading Bureau of Water. The sign indicates the watershed area of 3,142 acres, a water area of 1,082 acres, and a lake capacity of 3.8 billion gallons. Behind the sign, lush green trees and shrubs frame a view of the expansive lake, creating a scenic and informative spot just north of Reading, PA, near the abandoned Graffiti Bridge, now part of the West Shore Road Trail.

Lake Ontelaunee was created as a reservoir for the city in 1926, and while fishing is allowed, boating and swimming are not.

A serene view of Lake Ontelaunee with calm waters extending into the distance, surrounded by lush green trees. The scene is framed by overhanging branches and leafy vegetation along the shoreline, creating a peaceful and picturesque natural setting just north of Reading, PA, near the abandoned Graffiti Bridge, now part of the West Shore Road Trail.

What You’ll See at Graffiti Bridge

Walking across Graffiti Bridge, you’ll be greeted with a kaleidoscope of colors and designs.

A colorful, graffiti-covered concrete bridge stretches into the distance, surrounded by lush green trees and bordered by a calm body of water. The bridge, now part of the West Shore Trail, showcases vibrant street art and messages, creating a striking contrast against the natural scenery. The bridge, abandoned for 96 years, adds an urban, artistic element to the serene landscape just north of Reading, PA.

Each step reveals new artworks, from intricate murals to simple tags, all contributing to the bridge’s ever-evolving canvas.

A brightly painted concrete barrier decorated with vibrant flowers, swirls, and the initials "GK 2025" stands at the entrance of a graffiti-covered bridge. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, extends into the distance, flanked by dense green vegetation. The colorful street art contrasts with the surrounding natural landscape, creating a unique and visually engaging scene just north of Reading, PA.

The contrast between the bright graffiti and the lush greenery is striking, making it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts.

A low-angle view of a colorful, graffiti-covered concrete bridge stretching into the distance. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, features various street art and vibrant designs. Lush green vegetation grows along the sides of the bridge, with trees densely covering the background. The bridge crosses over Lake Ontelaunee, creating a striking blend of urban art and natural scenery just north of Reading, PA.

The bridge provides stunning views of Lake Ontelaunee, where you can see the calm waters dotted with lily pads.

A colorful, graffiti-covered concrete bridge spans over a body of water covered with lily pads and surrounded by dense green trees. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, features vibrant street art along its railings, creating a stark contrast with the natural scenery of Lake Ontelaunee just north of Reading, PA. The lush greenery and calm water add to the picturesque setting.

The graffiti-covered railings add an urban flavor to the picturesque rural landscape, making it a one-of-a-kind destination.

A graffiti-covered concrete bridge railing overlooks a calm body of water with an island in the distance. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, features vibrant street art and messages, including a large "Cancer 21" tag. The surrounding landscape includes lush green trees and a serene lake, creating a striking contrast between urban art and natural beauty just north of Reading, PA.

The West Shore Drive Trail itself is an easy, paved-highway walk, suitable for all ages.

A colorful, graffiti-covered path curves gently through a lush, green landscape. The path, part of the West Shore Road Trail, features vibrant street art and messages on its surface. Tall trees and dense vegetation line both sides of the trail, creating a serene and picturesque natural setting. This unique blend of urban artwork and natural beauty is located just north of Reading, PA, near the abandoned Graffiti Bridge over Lake Ontelaunee.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re an urban art lover, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique outing, Graffiti Bridge along the West Shore Drive Trail has something for everyone.

A colorful, graffiti-covered concrete barrier blocks the entrance to an abandoned bridge, which is also covered in vibrant street art. Above the barrier, several road signs are also heavily graffitied, creating an artistic and urban scene. The bridge, surrounded by dense green foliage, is part of the West Shore Road Trail and crosses over Lake Ontelaunee, blending urban artwork with the natural landscape just north of Reading, PA.

The combination of artistic expression and natural tranquility makes it a memorable visit.

A colorful, graffiti-covered concrete bridge extends into the distance, featuring vibrant street art on its surface and railings. The bridge, part of the West Shore Road Trail, is flanked by lush green trees on one side and a body of water on the other. This striking blend of urban artwork and natural scenery creates a unique visual experience just north of Reading, PA.

So next time you’re near Reading, take a detour to explore this hidden gem in Berks County!

A vibrant, graffiti-covered concrete barrier stands at the entrance to an abandoned bridge, now part of the West Shore Road Trail. The barrier is adorned with colorful flowers and swirls, and the bridge itself is decorated with a variety of street art. Dense green foliage surrounds the bridge, blending urban art with the natural landscape just north of Reading, PA.

35 Abandoned Places in PA You Can Legally Explore highlights 35 abandoned destinations in Pennsylvania that continue to fascinate visitors decades after they outlived their intended purposes.

A collage of abandoned places in Pennsylvania that can be legally visited.

Nearby Attractions

Situated on the southern tip of Mt. Penn, the Reading Pagoda stands as a symbol of the city of Reading, Pennsylvania.

This collage showcases four photos of the Reading Pagoda in Berks County, PA. The top left image features the Pagoda with its seven stories and distinctive red roofs, framed by trees and overlooking the city below. The top right photo captures a panoramic view from the Pagoda, highlighting the lush green landscape and distant cityscape. The bottom left image provides a close-up of the Pagoda's detailed stonework, balcony, and red-tiled roof. The bottom right photo shows visitors enjoying the scenic overlook, with the Pagoda and parked cars visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Crystal Cave in Berks County was the first “show cave” to open in Pennsylvania, with official tours beginning shortly after it was discovered in 1871!

Exploring Crystal Cave in Berks County Pennsylvania

Koziar’s Christmas Village is a magical Christmas time destination in Berks County that beckons with its twinkling lights and festive cheer.

This collage presents four festive images from Koziar's Christmas Village in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Top left is an aerial night view of the village lit up; top right features a horse statue by a decorated wagon; bottom left shows the 'Santa's Train Center' sign; and bottom right captures a panoramic view of the village's sparkling lights and reflective water.

Find even more great destinations to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

Did you enjoy this article?

If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to learn more about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!

Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.