Sanford Covered Bridge stands in Alabama, in Cullman County.

Covered bridges like this one were built with roofs and siding not for the comfort of travelers but to protect the load-bearing timber trusses from rain and snow. Without this protection, exposed wooden bridges typically lasted only ten to fifteen years, while covered bridges could stand for a century or more with proper maintenance.

Alabama’s covered bridges are among the southernmost examples of this distinctly American architectural form, built to withstand the region’s heavy rains and humid climate.

Visitors can typically view and photograph the bridge year-round from nearby roads and paths. Fall foliage season provides an especially picturesque setting, when the surrounding hardwood forests frame the weathered timbers in brilliant color. Many covered bridge enthusiasts plan driving tours connecting multiple bridges in a single region, making these structures ideal waypoints for a day of scenic exploration.

Explore Nearby

• Wind Creek State Park — State Park in Alabama
• Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park — State Park in Alabama
• William B. Bankhead National Forest — National Forest in Alabama
• Tuskegee National Forest — National Forest in Alabama
• Talladega Scenic Drive — Scenic Byway in Alabama