Exploring the Pack Saddle Bridge in Somerset County

A summertime view of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA.

If you have never been to the Pack Saddle Bridge, there is one thing that sets it apart from all other covered bridges in Pennsylvania – waterfalls!

Fall foliage around the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in October, 2021.
Fall foliage around the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in October, 2021.

Frothy and surging when Brush Creek is swollen by heavy rain.

Summer downpours in the Laurel Highlands mean huge flow on Brush Creek and the waterfalls beneath the Pack Saddle Bridge.
Summer downpours in the Laurel Highlands mean huge flow on Brush Creek and the waterfalls beneath the Pack Saddle Bridge.

Sluggish and COLD in the Laurel Highlands winter!

The partially frozen waterfalls on Brush Creek beneath the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge.
The partially frozen waterfalls on Brush Creek beneath the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge.

Sometimes seeming to literally grind to a halt in February, although the current is always moving beneath the ice and snow.

A hard winter freeze at the Pack Saddle Bridge in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania.
A hard winter freeze at the Pack Saddle Bridge in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania.

The waterfalls at the Pack Saddle Bridge are a perfect backdrop to a popular local fishing hole.

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

And a tremendously popular setting for senior portraits and engagement photos.

The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge is an extremely popular spot for senior portraits and engagement photos.
The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge is an extremely popular spot for senior portraits and engagement photos.

As the only Pennsylvania covered bridge that spans a waterfall, it is a favorite of visitors from around the globe!

The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge - quite possibly the most beautiful covered bridge in Pennsylvania.
Waterfalls beneath the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in Somerset County.

Of course there really is no bad angle to photograph the Pack Saddle Bridge from.

Fall foliage at the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in the Laurel Highlands of PA.
Fall foliage at the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in the Laurel Highlands of PA.

The view from upstream is almost Currier and Ives perfect.

A wintertime view f the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge near Fairhope, Somerset County, PA.
A wintertime view of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge near Fairhope, Somerset County, PA.

Even from above it looks great!

Upstream view of the Pack Saddle Bridge during fall foliage season.
Aerial view of the Pack Saddle Bridge during fall foliage season.

But it’s the downstream view, with the bridge framed by sky, hemlocks, and waterfalls, that sets the Pack Saddle Bridge apart from every other covered bridge in Pennsylvania.

On a snowy winter day the red sides of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge jump out like in no other season.
On a snowy winter day the red sides of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge jump out like in no other season.

How to Find the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge

Most visitors to the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge arrive by turning off of Route 31/Glades Pike, travelling 5.5 miles on Glen Savage Road, then turning right onto Pine Valley Road and descending the hill roughly 1/3 of a mile to the bridge (just follow the sign indicating a bridge ahead).

A map showing the location of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in Fairhope Township, Somerset County, PA.
A map showing the location of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in Fairhope Township, Somerset County, PA.

GPS coordinates for the Pack Saddle Bridge are 39.867592, -78.817354.

A late springtime view of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge and the waterfalls on Brush Creek beneath it.
A late springtime view of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge and the waterfalls on Brush Creek beneath it.

An informational plaque is located near the eastern side of the bridge.

Monument at the Pack Saddle Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania
Monument at the Pack Saddle Bridge in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Pack Saddle Bridge Rehabilitation Project

An even more recent rehabilitation project than is indicated on the plaque took place at the Pack Saddle Bridge in April/May of 2020.

The Pack Saddle Bridge refurbishing project in May 2020.
The Pack Saddle Bridge refurbishing project in May 2020.

The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge had suffered a considerable amount of insect damage in recent years.

The Pack Saddle Bridge being restored in May 2020
The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge during restoration in May 2020.

The fact that this bridge is used for everyday vehicular traffic made the repairs a matter of public safety.

Pack Saddle Bridge construction progress as of May 2020
Pack Saddle Bridge restoration project in May 2020

Thankfully, the repairs were made with the original aesthetics and historical authenticity in mind as well.

Replacement beams at the Pack Saddle Bridge on Somerset County Pennsylvania
Replacement beams at the Pack Saddle Bridge on Somerset County Pennsylvania

Photos of the waterfalls beneath the Pack Saddle Bridge looked a little strange in the interim.

Waterfall at the Pack Saddle Bridge near Fairhope PA May 2020
Waterfall at the Pack Saddle Bridge near Fairhope PA May 2020

Although I admit as a photographer, having the chance to document such an historic event was exciting.

Waterfall beneath the Pack Saddle Bridge in Somerset County PA May 2020
Waterfall beneath the Pack Saddle Bridge in May 2020

And now the bridge is back in good working order, open to everyday traffic once again.

Fall foliage starting to turn in the Laurel Highlands at the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge, Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
Fall foliage starting to turn in the Laurel Highlands at the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge, Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

The Pack Saddle Bridge Mystique

For nearly 150 years (since 1870) the Pack Saddle Bridge has been both a necessity for travel in the area, as well as a source of pride in the Laurel Highlands.

The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge near Fairhope Pennsylvania.
The Pack Saddle Covered Bridge near Fairhope, PA.

Whether the unknown builder intentionally laid this bridge out with aesthetics in mind (in addition to the practical necessity of getting across Brush Creek), we’ll never know.

View of the Pack Saddle Bridge from Brush Creek.
View of the Pack Saddle Bridge from Brush Creek.

But certainly all who have stopped to gaze upon the bridge, or cast a line beneath it, or snap a photo of it owe a debt of gratitude to the builders of the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge, perhaps Pennsylvania’s most beautiful covered bridge!

The waters of Brush Creek tumble over rocks beneath the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge, as they have for nearly 150 years.
The waters of Brush Creek tumble over rocks beneath the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge, as they have for nearly 150 years.

Looking for more Somerset County Covered Bridges?

The nearby New Baltimore Covered Bridge spans the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River.

New Baltimore Covered Bridge surrounded by fall foliage.
New Baltimore Covered Bridge in Somerset County.

Barronvale Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in Somerset County, at 162 feet.

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

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

The Glessner Covered Bridge near Shanksville Pennsylvania
The Glessner Covered Bridge near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Kings Covered Bridge is a great spot for a creekside picnic, with a covered pavillion right next to the bridge.

An autumn reflection of Kings Covered Bridge.
An autumn reflection of Kings Covered Bridge.

Nearby Attractions

If waterfalls are your thing, be sure to check out 23 Must-See Waterfalls in the Laurel Highlands of PA.

Selfie at Lower Jonathan Run Falls, Ohiopyle State Park

If scenic vistas are your thing, be sure to check out The 14 Best Scenic Overlooks in the Laurel Highlands.

An October morning at Beam Rocks in the Forbes State Forest.
An October morning at Beam Rocks in the Laurel Highlands.

If fall foliage is your thing, be sure to check out 22 Fabulous Fall Foliage Destinations in the Laurel Highlands of PA.

The Low Bridge over the Youghiogheny River surrounded by fall foliage.
The Low Bridge over the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park, surrounded by fall foliage.

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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.