Exploring the Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County

A collage of four images featuring the Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA. The top left image shows visitors walking along the exposed stone arches of the historic bridge against a backdrop of fall foliage. The top right is a vintage black-and-white photo of the bridge leading into the former town of Somerfield. The bottom left image captures a modern view of the bridge partially submerged with the Route 40 bridge overhead, while the bottom right shows a distant perspective of visitors walking along the dry lakebed toward the exposed bridge, surrounded by a rugged, rocky shoreline and autumn-colored hills.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, you’re in the right place!

Historic Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, emerges from the lowered waters of Youghiogheny River Lake, revealing its stone arches and detailed masonry. People walk along the bridge, enjoying a rare opportunity to explore the exposed structure. Surrounding autumn trees in shades of orange, red, and brown enhance the scene, adding seasonal color to the bare, rocky landscape.

The Great Crossings Bridge, a long-submerged piece of Pennsylvania history, is now visible once more at Youghiogheny River Lake in southwestern Somerset County.

The Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, is exposed due to historic low water levels at Youghiogheny River Lake, revealing its stone arches and the dry, cracked lakebed surrounding it. Visitors walk across the bridge and along the lakebed, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to explore the normally submerged structure. The hills in the background are covered with autumn foliage, adding warm colors to the scene beneath a vibrant blue sky.

Due to recent drought conditions, water levels have dropped to a historic low, allowing this 206-year-old bridge and the nearby remnants of Somerfield to reappear.

Visitors walk along the exposed Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, which is normally submerged under Youghiogheny River Lake. The detailed stonework of the bridge is clearly visible, with weathered sandstone blocks lining the sides. A scenic landscape of rolling hills with autumn foliage serves as a backdrop, while the lake’s low water levels reveal the dry, rocky shore extending toward the bridge under a clear blue sky.

Visitors have a unique chance to walk on both, gaining a rare firsthand view of these early American landmarks.

People stand and walk along the exposed Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, which is usually submerged beneath the waters of Youghiogheny River Lake. The bridge’s weathered surface extends into the water, with rocky, sloped shores and autumn-colored trees surrounding the lake. The low water levels provide visitors with a rare opportunity to explore this historic structure up close on a clear, sunny day.

Directions to the Great Crossings Bridge

The Great Crossings Bridge is located adjacent to the Somerfield Recreation Area in southwestern Somerset County.


If navigating by GPS coordinates, use 39.75505, -79.39415 to find the large parking lot next to the lake, roughly 250 yards from the bridge.

Entrance to the Somerfield Recreation Area near Youghiogheny Lake in Somerset County, PA, with a view of autumn foliage and hills in the background. A paved road leads toward the lake, where the historic Great Crossings Bridge is visible in the distance due to low water levels. A wooden building and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sign mark the recreation area, creating a welcoming entry point for visitors exploring this rare historical site.

History of the Great Crossings Bridge

Constructed in 1818, the Great Crossings Bridge is a stunning sandstone structure originally built to carry the National Road, better known now as Route 40, across the Youghiogheny River.

A vintage black-and-white photo of the Great Crossings Bridge over the Youghiogheny River in Somerfield, PA, showing its three graceful stone arches reflecting in the calm water below. Dense trees and natural vegetation frame the bridge, creating a serene, scenic view of this historic structure along U.S. Route 40. Utility poles are visible atop the bridge, indicating its past role in transportation.

The bridge, with its three elegant stone arches, spans 375 feet in length and stands 40 feet high.

A vintage postcard image of the Great Crossings Bridge, also referred to as the "Big Crossings" National Highway Bridge, spanning the Youghiogheny River near Somerfield, PA. The postcard showcases the bridge’s three stone arches, with water flowing gently beneath and dense trees in the background. The scene captures the natural beauty of the area, with soft hues in the sky and lush green foliage along the riverbanks.

On July 4, 1818, this engineering marvel was dedicated with a ceremony attended by President James Monroe, underscoring its national importance.

A portrait of President James Monroe, a Founding Father of the United States who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825.

At the eastern end of the bridge, the small town of Somerfield was established in 1817, thriving alongside the traffic from the National Road.

A historic black-and-white photograph of Somerfield, PA, showcasing the Great Crossings Bridge with its stone arches spanning the Youghiogheny River. The bridge leads into the town, which is filled with buildings and homes nestled on a hillside. Surrounding trees and the river create a picturesque scene, capturing the charm of this early 20th-century Pennsylvania town before it was submerged under Youghiogheny River Lake.

But in 1940, the landscape changed forever when Youghiogheny River Lake, a reservoir created by the Army Corps of Engineers, submerged the bridge and town as part of a federal flood control initiative.

A partially exposed foundation, possibly from the submerged town of Somerfield, lies in the foreground with the historic Great Crossings Bridge visible in the background. Due to low water levels, the bridge and surrounding remnants are accessible, allowing visitors to walk across the bridge and explore the area. The modern Route 40 bridge can be seen in the distance, spanning the autumn-colored hills under a bright blue sky.

Over 175 residents were relocated, and the area slipped beneath the lake, becoming part of Pennsylvania’s hidden history.

A dry, cracked lakebed is exposed due to low water levels at Youghiogheny River Lake, revealing a rectangular stone foundation—possibly part of the submerged town of Somerfield, Pennsylvania. The barren, parched earth stretches toward a hillside covered with autumn trees in shades of orange and yellow under a bright blue sky, offering a rare view of structures usually hidden underwater.

What You’ll See at the Great Crossings Bridge

As of October 2024, the lake, which normally spans six miles, has receded enough to reveal both the bridge and parts of Somerfield’s original main street.

Remnants of an old road surface, possibly part of the submerged town of Somerfield, are exposed on the dry lakebed beneath the modern Route 40 bridge at Youghiogheny River Lake in Somerset County, PA. The road leads toward the partially visible historic Great Crossings Bridge, with autumn-colored trees and hills providing a scenic backdrop. The modern bridge looms above, contrasting past infrastructure with contemporary engineering under a clear blue sky.

This rare sight has drawn history enthusiasts and curious visitors from all around, eager to explore this architectural relic that’s usually underwater.

The historic Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, is fully exposed due to low water levels, displaying its impressive sandstone arches above the Youghiogheny River Lake. Visitors walk along the top of the bridge, taking in the intricate stonework and rugged surroundings. The hills in the background are adorned with autumn-colored trees, creating a warm, seasonal atmosphere under a bright blue sky.

During my recent visit, dozens of other people joined me in enjoying this fleeting glimpse of history.

Visitors walk and fish along the exposed Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, which is normally submerged under Youghiogheny River Lake. The historic stone bridge is visible above the waterline due to unusually low lake levels, providing a rare opportunity for exploration. Autumn-colored hills and a clear blue sky create a scenic backdrop, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of this unique historical site.

Visitors are treated to a surreal scene where the historic bridge runs parallel to the modern Route 40, juxtaposing early 19th-century infrastructure with today’s elevated highway.

The historic Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, partially exposed due to low water levels, shows its stone arches stretching over the shallow water of Youghiogheny River Lake. Visitors walk along the bridge, taking in the rare sight, while the modern Route 40 bridge stands in the background, contrasting the historical structure with contemporary infrastructure. Surrounding hills covered in autumn foliage add a warm, colorful backdrop to the scene under a clear blue sky.

Final Thoughts

The chance to experience this submerged landmark on foot, combined with the beauty of the surrounding landscape, makes the Great Crossings Bridge a must-visit while it remains visible.

The Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, partially submerged in the Youghiogheny River Lake, is exposed due to low water levels, revealing its classic stone arches. Visitors walk along the bridge, surrounded by an expansive rocky shore, while autumn foliage with shades of orange and gold lines the background. A large, weathered tree stump sits prominently in the foreground, adding to the scene's rustic charm under a clear blue sky.

For those who appreciate history, the bridge’s reappearance offers a tangible connection to the past and a striking reminder of how landscapes evolve over time.

Visitors walk along the dry lakebed toward the historic Great Crossings Bridge in Somerset County, PA, which is exposed due to low water levels. The scene reveals a wide, rocky shoreline and a distant view of the bridge’s stone arches set against a backdrop of autumn-colored trees on the hillside. The clear blue sky and seasonal colors enhance the rare experience of accessing this submerged landmark on foot.

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The western portal of Rays Hill Tunnel along the Abandoned PA Turnpike

Nearby Attractions

23 Must-See Attractions in Somerset County is your guide to more of the best things to see and do on the east side of the Great Crossings Bridge.

A collage of four images showcasing attractions in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features a fisherman by a creek in front of a picturesque red covered bridge surrounded by autumn foliage. The top right photo shows a person standing on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast landscape of colorful fall trees under a clear sky. The bottom left picture captures a well-lit tunnel with multiple lights creating a starburst effect. The bottom right image is a tranquil scene of a park with a bicyclist on a path next to a lake reflecting the vibrant autumn trees and blue sky.

21 Must-See Attractions in Fayette County is your guide to the best things to see and do on the west side of the Great Crossings Bridge.

Collage of four seasonal outdoor scenes in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, showcasing a hiker photographing the autumn foliage, Fallingwater house surrounded by winter snow, a photographer capturing a frozen waterfall, and a person jogging on a wooden bridge amidst vibrant fall colors.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.