Four Covered Bridges Near Conway New Hampshire

This past autumn was really a good one for clearing some covered bridges off my to-do list. I’m always looking for new ones or trying to get just a few better versions. Sometimes I’m passing by, and it’s the wrong time of day. But other times, the weather is crap or more likely the fall colors are not their best. So this becomes a good ‘Plan B’ activity.

I consider the following four covered bridges to be good for beginners, but this does not make them easy. These four are easy to find and right next to the main road, two are carrying traffic, and one is a gift shop. Most first-time New England visitors claim these covered bridges because they are 10-20 minutes away from North Conway in the Southern White Mountains

North Conway New Hampshire

Conway and North Conway are a tourist mecca at any time of the year and during the autumn they fill to the brim on the weekends with tourists. The weekdays are marginally better, but not much. You won’t hear me say “avoid it like the plague” except maybe on Columbus Day Weekend. I’m drawn to all the stores, restaurants, the Conway Scenic train station, and so many places to stay [affiliate link].

North Conway is a great central location to begin your travels with easy access up Route 16 or South on 16 to Route 112 and yes that is the Kancamagus and I-93. There is also Route 113 to 302 and into south-central Maine. So this is a great stepping-off point to where ever you want to go during the early to mid-October fall foliage season.

Saco River Covered Bridge

Let’s start at the Saco River just below where it meets the Swift River. Washington Street diverges and splits into East Side Road and West Side Road.[Here is a google map] There is a Triangle of land that you can park around and walk along the East side Road to the Saco River Covered Bridge.

The bridge has several good sides to photograph and you can do straight-on views or even side views from here on East Side Road which connects to Route 16. Another side view of the Saco can be seen from our next bridge.

Swift River Covered Bridge

Just up West Side Road, you will find a parking lot with room for a few cars. The Swift River Covered Bridge is one of the nicer red and white bridges.[Here is a map] It’s no longer in service but you can sit at one of the picnic benches inside and have lunch.

Yes, it is…just a little fun with this. In reality, that is not painted on the side!

The views for this covered bridge vary between the different angles straight on of the opening or if you are careful, you can go back to the parking lot and you will find many people before you have made paths down the rocks below.

The river in fall is usually low so you should be able to walk out onto the banks of the river and look back at the bridge. One bonus if you go just a little way downriver you will see the Saco Covered Bridge beyond the Swift River. I think this is a great side view of the Saco bridge. Now we’ll get back in the car and head north (a right) on West Side Road.

West Side Road will take you past a couple of scenic spots like Cathedral Ledge and Diana’s Baths. They are both left turns off West Side Road.

Bartlett Covered Bridge

West Side Road will end at Route 302. To the left is Crawford Notch (as scenic as it gets), but today we will turn right and then keep your eyes peeled on the left side of the road because the Bartlett Covered Bridge is just a short 2000 feet up. [Here is a map]

bartlett gift shoppe and covered bridge — Bartlett Covered Bridge on Covered Bridge Lane

The Bartlett Covered Bridge used to take traffic over the Saco River like the other two bridges I’ve listed. There is one small difference, this one had a gift shop built in the middle of it. Yes, you heard me right. They turned a covered bridge into a gift shop. This may be why I only have one single picture of it. There is also the Covered Bridge House which is a B&B if you need a place to stay. I have not stayed there, so don’t know how it is, and I guess I’d rather see the bridge rescued and maintained rather than have it neglected. It would be nice if they didn’t have that huge sign hanging there though.

Now that you have gotten your photos, and maybe done some shopping, let’s move on to our final bridge for today.

Jackson Covered Bridge

We’re going to continue on 302 towards Glen New Hampshire, and turn left onto Route 16 at the light. We’re now on Pinkham Notch Road and if you are so motivated, once you find the fourth bridge, continue past Jackson up to Mount Washington and some real scenic country, but that is for another article like this one and this one.

The Jackson Covered Bridge is one of the most picturesque covered bridges around, and if you go across the road, you can get a view of the hills behind the bridge. If you are really lucky, they will be in peak fall colors.

You can find this oh-so-easy covered bridge right off Route 16. To enter Jackson, you have to drive through the covered bridge. This bridge and town are just along New Hampshire’s Route 16 as it winds its way north to Pinkham Notch and Mount Washington.

The covered bridge No. 51 is in Jackson New Hampshire. View this in my online art gallery.

The Jackson Covered Bridge is also known as the Honeymoon Bridge. Lisa and I first found the Jackson Covered Bridge during our first fall trip together. It was an easy one, and we fell in love with the picturesque little town. I bet all of you who have been there, know what I mean.

It has taken me years to get the bridge with the mountain beyond the bridge in peak fall colors. This particular year good fall foliage was later than normal, and I thought I had missed it. This year, being late, I was here just at the perfect time. You just never know.

Covered Bridge Photography and Determination

Covered Bridge Photography is one part photographer and one part treasure hunter. There are many covered bridges out there but finding them is not always easy. Some are still functioning and current roads go through them. But many of them are on old, infrequently -used side roads that have been bypassed. So that is where determination plays a part. Stop, get out of the car, and ask a local.

Good luck finding your covered bridges and if you have questions, you know where to find me.

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

Visit my Amazon affiliate store for items that Lisa and I have curated for you. These items are either New England-made or things we think will make your fall foliage trip more successful.