Humpback Bridge
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Humpback Bridge is a historic covered bridge spanning Dunlap Creek just west of Covington, Virginia. Built in 1857, it is Virginia’s oldest surviving covered bridge and a distinctive stop for a short walk, photos, or a picnic in the wayside park. Check current site conditions before setting out, as visitor amenities and access can change.[1][2]
What to see
The bridge’s defining feature is its raised, curved profile: the center of its 100-foot span sits higher than the ends, creating the “hump” that gives it its name. The single-span bridge crosses Dunlap Creek without a middle support. It is a pedestrian landmark, not a route for vehicle traffic.[3][4]
The surrounding wayside makes the bridge more than a roadside photo stop. The local destination organization describes picnic tables and restroom facilities at the park; confirm current amenity availability before visiting.[5]
History and significance
Humpback Bridge was built in 1857 as part of the James River and Kanawha Turnpike, an important early route through western Virginia. Several earlier bridges at this crossing were lost to floods. Traffic stopped using the bridge in 1929, and it was later restored as the centerpiece of a public wayside.[6]
The bridge is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012. Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources identifies it as the nation’s only surviving curved-span covered bridge and the oldest covered bridge in Virginia.[7]
Planning your visit
The bridge is in Alleghany County, just west of Covington, along Route 60. The Virginia Department of Transportation gives directions from Interstate 64’s Exit 10: take Route 60 and travel about half a mile east, or follow Route 60 west from Covington. Check current road conditions and signs as you approach.[8]
No admission charge is listed by the local destination organization. The site is presented as a wayside park rather than a staffed attraction; verify current access, amenities, and any arrangements for special uses directly with local visitor information before traveling.[9]
Nearby
Covington, Virginia is the closest town and a useful base for exploring the Alleghany Highlands. For more regional ideas, see Alleghany County, Virginia and Virginia's Scenic Drives.
Related books: Browse related Virginia books on Amazon
References
- ↑ Humpback Bridge, Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Humpback Bridge, Alleghany Highlands. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Humpback Bridge, Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Covered bridges, Virginia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Humpback Bridge, Alleghany Highlands. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Covered bridges, Virginia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Humpback Bridge, Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Covered bridges, Virginia Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Humpback Bridge, Alleghany Highlands. Retrieved October 24, 2026.