If you’re looking for the best swinging bridges in Pennsylvania, you’re in the right place!
Popularized in films like the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, swinging bridges (officially known as suspension bridges) solve a simple problem – how to span a river, stream, or gorge without requiring a lot of expensive and complicated infrastructure.
Swinging bridges have become so popular that adventurous folks (myself included) now go out of their way to visit and cross them.
So if you fall into that category, what follows is a guide to some of my favorite swinging bridges in Pennsylvania.
Simply click on the blue text links to view more details about each PA swinging bridge mentioned below.
Where to Find the Best Swinging Bridges in PA
1. Hyde Park Walking Bridge
At 630 feet in length, the Hyde Park Walking Bridge spanning the Kiski River between Westmoreland and Armstrong counties is the longest pedestrian swinging bridge in Pennsylvania.
The Hyde Park Walking Bridge (also known as the Hyde Park Foot Bridge) can be most easily accessed by parking along Railroad Street in Hyde Park – CLICK HERE to read a more in-depth article about the bridge.
2. Butler Swinging Bridge
The Butler Swinging Bridge spans Sullivan Run near downtown Butler, between historic Pullman Park (home to a baseball stadium) and Rotary Park.
The Butler Swinging Bridge is most easily accessed by parking directly behind the center field fence at Pullman Park – CLICK HERE to open a Google Map to the parking area.
3. Tom’s Run Swinging Bridge
Tom’s Run Swinging Bridge is one of the prettiest suspension bridges in Pennsylvania, spanning Tom’s Run at Cook Forest State Park.
You’ll find easy directions to Tom’s Run Swinging Bridge in my guide to exploring Cook Forest State Park.
4. Blue Rock Swinging Bridge
The Blue Rock Swinging Bridge is a 40 foot-long suspension bridge spanning Little Toby Creek in Elk County.
The Blue Rock Swinging Bridge is a popular attraction alongside the 18 mile-long Clarion-Little Toby Trail, a rail trail that extends from Ridgway in Elk County to Brockway in Jefferson County.
You’ll find easy directions to the Blue Rock Swinging Bridge in my detailed write-up about it HERE.
5. The Cedar Creek Swinging Bridges
The Cedar Creek Gorge Trail is a beautiful 1.5 mile loop hike featuring two suspension bridges over Cedar Creek in Westmoreland County.
The trail is located in Cedar Creek Park, a 479 acre county park located on the banks of the Youghiogheny River.
You’ll find easy directions to both of the Cedar Creek swinging bridges in my detailed write-up about the hike HERE.
6. Trough Creek Swinging Bridge
The Trough Creek Swinging Bridge spans the Great Trough Creek at Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County.
One of the “bounciest” suspension bridges on this list, you’ll find easy directions to the Trough Creek Swinging Bridge in my guide to exploring Trough Creek State Park.
7. Clear Shade Creek Swinging Bridge
The Clear Shade Creek Swinging Bridge serves as a connector between the 2 loops that make up the John P. Saylor Trail in the Gallitzin State Forest.
One of the most remote bridges on this list, you’ll find easy directions to the Clear Shade Creek Swinging Bridge in my detailed write-up on the hike to it HERE.
8. Talleyrand Park Suspension Bridge
The Talleyrand Park Suspension Bridge is one of the most-recognizable landmarks in this beautiful public space in the heart of Bellefonte, Centre County.
Built in 1986 and spanning Spring Creek, you’ll find easy directions to the bridge in my detailed guide to exploring Talleyrand Park.
9. MYO Park Swinging Bridge
The MYO Park Swinging Bridge in Dauphin County spans Wiconsico Creek and connects MYO Park (an acronym for the long-defunct Millersburg Youth Organization) with Riverfront Park.
The MYO Park Swinging Bridge can be most easily accessed by parking at MYO Park – CLICK HERE to open a Google Map to the parking area.
Related Articles
If you like bridges, be sure to check out The 10 Longest Covered Bridges in PA Road Trip, which provides driving directions to the 10 lengthiest covered bridges in Pennsylvania.
Exploring Kinzua Bridge State Park in McKean County is your guide to what was once the longest and tallest railway bridge in the entire world – The Kinzua Viaduct.
The Salisbury Viaduct is just one of the many engineering marvels along the 150 mile-long Great Allegheny Passage, the longest multi-use rail trail in Pennsylvania.
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