2 Covered Bridges in the Smoky Mountains that You Should Visit

Covered bridges are a rare and romantic sight in the Smoky Mountains, and Sevier County has two well worth seeking out — one a genuine 19th-century landmark still carrying traffic, the other a beautiful modern tribute to the region's heritage. Both make a perfect stop on a scenic drive, camera in hand.

Harrisburg Covered Bridge

The Harrisburg Covered Bridge is the real historic article — built in 1875 by Elbert Stephenson Early and one of the oldest structures of its kind in the region. Spanning the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River east of Sevierville, it's an 88-foot king post truss bridge that still carries local traffic today, more than a century and a half after it was built. It replaced the earlier McNutts Bridge, which a flood had washed away; the people of Harrisburg funded and built the replacement themselves, donating lumber, labor, and money.

By the 1970s the bridge had fallen into disrepair and faced possible demolition, but preservation efforts led by two chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, working with the Sevier County Highway Department, saved and restored it. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 10, 1975, with a further federal-grant restoration completed in 2005. It's a one-lane working bridge, so drive through slowly and pull off nearby to photograph it — the setting over the river is especially pretty in fall.

Emerts Cove Covered Bridge

The Emerts Cove Covered Bridge looks like it stepped out of the 1800s, but it's actually a modern tribute — built in 2000 by the town of Pittman Center to honor the area's covered-bridge heritage. The 84-foot bridge crosses the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River in the quiet community of Pittman Center, just outside Gatlinburg. It's named for Frederick Emert, a Revolutionary War soldier who arrived in 1790 as the area's first settler; the Emert family is buried about half a mile away in the Emert's Cove Cemetery, which you can walk to.

With its deep-green roof, natural wood construction, cut-out windows framing the mountains, and seasonal decorations, it's one of the most photogenic spots in the area — you'll often see bridal parties taking pre-wedding photos here. One practical note: legal parking is very limited (room for only a car or two just before the bridge), and the surrounding land is private, so plan to drive through and photograph from a nearby pull-off rather than expecting a parking lot. It's free to visit.

Make it a scenic drive

The two bridges sit within a short drive of each other on the Sevierville/Pittman Center side of the Smokies, making them an easy pair for a relaxed afternoon loop. Combine them with other nearby stops — the Dolly Parton statue in downtown Sevierville, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community loop, or a meal at a local Sevierville eatery. For more ideas, see our guides to things to do in Sevierville and the best scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains. If you'd like to add a third covered bridge, Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park has the charming Whispering Winds Covered Bridge, though it's inside the park and requires admission.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Harrisburg Covered Bridge?

It was built in 1875, making it around 150 years old and one of the oldest covered bridges in the region. It was restored in the 1970s (with help from the Daughters of the American Revolution) and again in 2005, and it still carries local traffic across the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River today.

Is the Emerts Cove Covered Bridge historic?

Not literally — despite its old-fashioned appearance, it was built in 2000 to honor the region's covered-bridge heritage. It is named, however, for Frederick Emert, the area's first settler who arrived in 1790, and it sits in a genuinely historic community. It's a beautiful, photogenic stop even though the structure itself is modern.