PA Covered Bridges

Exploring the Covered Bridges of Sullivan County

Rusty Glessner

Collage of four photos showcasing the covered bridges of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, including views of the Forksville, Hillsgrove, and Sonestown bridges surrounded by vibrant scenery.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the covered bridges of Sullivan County, you’re in the right place!

Hillsgrove Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, reflecting on the calm waters of Loyalsock Creek, surrounded by autumn foliage and a bright blue sky.

Sullivan County was at one time home to at least 30 covered bridges.

Forksville Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, spanning Loyalsock Creek with its red wooden exterior surrounded by autumn foliage and a bright blue sky.

Today only 3 remain, all built by one gentleman – Sadler S. Rogers.

Historical portrait of Sadler S. Rogers, 19th-century bridge builder from Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, with a white beard, dark suit, and serious expression.

All three bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and I’ll provide a brief description of each one in the paragraphs below.

View from inside the Hillsgrove Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, looking out toward a rural road, farm fields, and a red barn with forested hills in the distance.

To make it as easy as possible for you to visit each one, I’ve created an interactive map to all three bridges, pictured below.

1. Forksville Covered Bridge

The Forksville Covered Bridge, a Burr arch truss structure, gracefully spans the Loyalsock Creek in the borough of Forksville.

Side view of the red Forksville Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, spanning a creek with autumn foliage and the Forksville General Store in the background.

Built in 1850, this historic bridge measures 152 feet 11 inches in length and 15 feet in width.

Forksville Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, viewed through autumn foliage with its red wooden structure spanning Loyalsock Creek on a sunny day.

Its name originates from the borough it resides in, which itself is named for its location at the confluence, or “forks,” of the Little Loyalsock and Loyalsock Creeks.

Red-painted Forksville Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, with wooden trusses, a clearance sign of 8 feet, and a scenic backdrop of trees and buildings on a sunny day.

Recognizing its historical significance, the Forksville Covered Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Historic plaque at the Forksville Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, detailing its construction by Sadler S. Rogers in the 1850s and noting that only three of his covered bridges remain in the county today.

The bridge is still open to vehicular traffic.

Interior view of the Forksville Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, showcasing its wooden beams, trusses, and plank floor with a glimpse of the road and autumn trees at the far end.

2. Hillsgrove Covered Bridge

The Hillsgrove Covered Bridge, a Burr arch truss covered bridge, spans the Loyalsock Creek in Hillsgrove Township, Sullivan County.

Hillsgrove Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, with its red wooden structure spanning the creek, surrounded by colorful autumn foliage under a blue sky.

Built around 1850 and measuring 186 feet long, it was the first covered bridge in the county to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Hillsgrove Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, with its red wooden structure reflected in the calm waters of Loyalsock Creek on a clear day with a vivid blue sky.

It gets its name from Hillsgrove Township and the nearby unincorporated village, and is also known as Rinkers Covered Bridge, named after an adjoining farm.

Historic plaque at the Hillsgrove Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, describing its 1850s construction by Sadler S. Rogers and noting the remaining covered bridges he built in the county.

The bridge is still open to vehicular traffic.

Interior view of the Sonestown Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, showing its wooden plank floor, red trusses, and sunlight filtering through the openings.

3. Sonestown Covered Bridge

The Sonestown Covered Bridge, also known as the Davidson Covered Bridge, is a historic covered bridge in Davidson Township, Sullivan County.

Sonestown Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, with its red wooden structure, clearance sign, and surrounding green trees on a sunny summer day.

Constructed around 1850, it crosses Muncy Creek and measures 110 feet in length.

In recognition of its significance, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Historic plaque at the Sonestown Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, detailing its 1850s construction by Sadler S. Rogers and mentioning the other remaining covered bridges he built in the county.

This bridge was originally built to provide access to a grist mill that operated until the early 20th century, and is still open to vehicular traffic.

Sonestown Covered Bridge in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, featuring red wooden siding, a clearance sign, and lush summer greenery surrounding the entrance.

The 10 Longest Covered Bridges in PA Road Trip features a travel itinerary I created that visits the ten longest covered bridges in Pennsylvania, and includes a route map that you can download for free to your computer or mobile device.

The PA Covered Bridges page here on PA Bucket List contains information about and directions to many of the Keystone State’s most-historic and most-popular covered bridges.

Directions to Pennsylvania's historic covered bridges.

Nearby Attractions

The 22 Best Things to Do at Worlds End State Park is a guide to the top attractions at this popular Sullivan County state park.

The best things to see and do at Worlds End State Park in Sullivan County PA.

The Eagles Mere Air and Auto Museum in Sullivan County is like stepping back in time to the golden age of aviation and automobiles.

A collage of four photos from the Eagles Mere Air and Auto Museum in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, showing colorful vintage biplanes in a bright hangar, rows of classic cars under retro neon signs and American flags, a lineup of red, green, and yellow muscle cars, and visitors viewing historic aircraft, capturing the museum’s extensive collection of classic automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft in a nostalgic setting.

High Knob Overlook in Sullivan County is one of the most spectacular roadside scenic vistas in all of Pennsylvania.

A biker enjoying the scenic view from High Knob Overlook.

28 Must-See Waterfalls in Sullivan County is a comprehensive guide to some of the areas best aquatic attractions.

A photographer takes in the scene at Big Falls on State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan County, PA.

Ticklish Rock is a gravity-defying sandstone pillar on a forested plateau in Sullivan County.

Exploring Ticklish Rock in Sullivan County Pennsylvania.

Discover more than 1000 exceptional destinations worth exploring all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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