Ashtabula County in northeastern Ohio is one of the best places in the Midwest to see covered bridges. Scenic rural roads, wooded valleys, and historic crossings give this area a slower, more old-fashioned feel that makes it especially fun to explore in fall, though the bridges are worth visiting in any season.
On our October drive through the area on the way to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we stopped at several of the county’s covered bridges. Even seeing just a few of them gives you a sense of why Ashtabula County is so well known for these historic structures.
General Info
| Location | Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Trail |
| State | Ohio |
| Region | Northeastern Ohio |
| Known For | Historic covered bridges, scenic drives, rural landscapes, and fall color |
| How Many Bridges | 19 covered bridges countywide |
| Best Time to Visit | Fall for color, though the bridges are scenic year-round |
| Good For | Photography, road trips, history, and quiet rural stops |
| Official Bridge Viewer | Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Viewer |
| Google Map | View the Covered Bridges on Google Maps |
If you want to see more than just a couple of bridges, start with the official viewer or countywide Google Map before you go. The bridges are spread out, so planning your route ahead of time makes the drive much easier.
Bridges We Saw on This Trip
We only saw a small portion of the full covered bridge trail on this visit, but even these few stops made it clear why this area is worth exploring. Each bridge had a slightly different setting, from broad scenic valleys to quiet wooded roads.
Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge
Location: Ashtabula Township
Map: 4878 Plymouth Ridge Road, Ashtabula, OH
The Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge is the most famous covered bridge in the county and one of the biggest reasons people make the drive. Spanning the Ashtabula River, it is especially striking because of its scale and its setting above the valley.
- Spans the Ashtabula River between Plymouth and Ashtabula townships
- Known as the longest covered bridge in the United States
- A popular stop for photography and scenic driving
- One of the best-known landmarks on the county’s bridge trail
If this is your first bridge stop in the county, it sets the tone well. It feels both historic in spirit and dramatic in scale.
State Road Covered Bridge
Location: 5882 State Rd, Kingsville, OH 44048
The State Road Covered Bridge crosses Conneaut Creek in Monroe Township. Its longer profile and windowed sides make it feel a little different from some of the other bridges on the trail.
- Spans Conneaut Creek in Monroe Township
- Features a Town truss design
- Long side openings help bring in more light than some older covered bridges
- A nice stop if you enjoy bridge details as much as the surrounding scenery
Olin’s Covered Bridge
Location: 1945 Dewey Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004
Olin’s Covered Bridge carries Dewey Road over the Ashtabula River in Plymouth Township. It feels more tucked into the landscape and has the kind of older, quieter character many people picture when they think of historic covered bridges.
- Crosses the Ashtabula River in Plymouth Township
- Known for its older historic feel
- A good stop for anyone who prefers quieter, more traditional bridge settings
- One of the bridges that helps show the deeper history of the county’s bridge trail
Riverview Covered Bridge
Location: 4878 Plymouth Ridge Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004
Riverview Covered Bridge is a pedestrian bridge in Indian Trails Park below the Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge. It is one of the more interesting stops because it gives you a different perspective on the landscape and lets you explore the valley on foot.
- Pedestrian-only bridge in Indian Trails Park
- Located beneath the Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge
- A good place to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery on foot
- Especially nice for photography and river-valley views
This one feels a little different from the others because it works as both a bridge stop and a short scenic walk.
Tips for Visiting the Covered Bridges
- Use the official county map or bridge viewer before you start driving
- Allow more time than you think you will need because the bridges are spread out
- Fall is especially beautiful, but summer and winter can also be very scenic
- Bring a camera if you enjoy rural photography, historic structures, or roadside stops
- Combine your drive with other northeast Ohio stops if you are already traveling through the area
If You Get a Chance to Visit
Ashtabula County’s covered bridges are more than simple road crossings. They are part of the region’s character, tied to its rivers, valleys, and rural roads. Even if you only visit a few of them, the drive gives you a nice mix of history, scenery, and quieter backroad travel.
If you enjoy old structures, scenic drives, and places that still feel a little slower and less polished, this is a very worthwhile stop in northeastern Ohio.