Covered bridges are like the old-school charmers of rural America, and many have stuck around for a reason. You’ve probably seen them in paintings or movies, like The Bridges of Madison County. But why all the fuss about these roofed wooden bridges? Turns out, that roof wasn’t for travelers’ protection or to keep animals calm on the bridge as they crossed—it was super practical. Back in the day, when timber was everywhere, bridges made of wood didn’t last long in the open air, thanks to rain, snow, and sun, especially in Montana-like weather. Covering them up helped protect the wood and made the bridge last longer. That’s why some covered bridges, like the Hyde Hall Bridge in New York, are still standing after nearly 200 years! While Connecticut holds the title of having the first covered bridge built, Pennsylvania holds the record for the number of covered bridges in the state at 219 in 40 of its 67 counties, according to the US Department of Transportation. Dale Travis compiled a list of Montana’s current wooden bridges.  Pretty cool.

Here is a list of Montana’s remaining covered bridges, according to Dale Travis as of January 2024, with the three covered bridges listed at the bottom of the list in the Bitterroot Valley being washed away by floods over the years: