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:

Number County Name Water Spans Length Built Truss GPS Description
26-16-A Gallatin Mike’s Hyalite Farmers Canal 1 39′ 1980 King N45 34.427 W111 05.225 S. of Bozeman. 19th Av. (becomes 19th Rd.) S. (curves W.) 7.5 miles from jct with US191 (Main St.) in Bozeman, S. (will curve E.) on Cougar Dr. 1.1 miles (taking a right at the circle), S. (right – curves E.) on Lodgepole Rd. 0.2 miles, SW (sharp right) on Black Bear Rd. (probably unmarked) 0.2 miles, SE (left) & up a hill on driveway 200′ to the bridge. Private Built by Mike.
26-16-b Kevin Mundy Memorial Bridger Creek 1 58′ 2009 Stringer N45 42.333 W110 58.762 NE of Bozeman. 7th Av. N. 0.2 mies from jct with I90 exit 306 on the N. side of Bozeman, E. on Griffin Dr. 0.7 miles, N. (curves E.) on Bridger Dr. 2.9 miles, S. on Fish Hatchery Rd. 0.3 miles to the bridge on the W. side of the road.
26-24-A Lake Harry’s Hyacinth Crane Mt Brook 1 40′ 1978 Stringer UNK 8 miles SE of Bigfork, E. of SR35. (On Bug Creek Rd., off Crane Mountain Rd. on the Harry Rose property.) Built by Harry M Rose. (Bug Creek Rd. starts at N48 01.320 W114 00.374)
26-27-A Lincoln Yaak River 3 ~65′ Stringer on I-beams N48 52.215 W115 39.426 NE of Yaak. Yaak River Rd. E. (curves N.) 4.15 miles from jct with MT567 in Yaak, veer right onto gravel road to driveway to the right ~0.3 miles. Ask permission.
26-32-(a Missoula Rail Link RR tracks 1 184′ Stringer N46 52.693 W113 59.801 In Missoula. S. of the intersection of Worden & Grand Avs.
26-41-A Ravalli Camp Ground Twins #1 Lick Creek 1 23′ 1973 –Gone– Stringer GONE S. of Hamilton. S. of village on US93. Lost in flood.
26-41-B Camp Ground Twins #2 Lick Creek 1 23′ 1973 –Gone– Stringer GONE Same as 26-41-A. Lost in flood.
26-41-C Trinity Ranch Bitterroot River 1 114′ Steel GONE Conner. S. of village on US93. Lost in flood.
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