Bedell Bridge State Historic Site
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 New Hampshire — Site of what was once the longest two-span covered bridge in America — the 396-foot Bedell Bridge crossed the Connecticut River from 1866 until it was destroyed by a windstorm in 1979. The abutments and scenic river setting remain.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | New Hampshire |
About Bedell Bridge
Bedell Bridge State Historic Site in Haverhill preserves the site of what was once the longest covered bridge in the United States — the 396-foot Bedell Bridge spanning the Connecticut River to Vermont. Built in 1866, the two-span covered bridge served for over a century before a windstorm destroyed it in 1979. The site now offers Connecticut River access and a memorial to this engineering landmark that connected two New England states.
Things to Do
Visiting the bridge abutments and memorial, fishing and kayaking on the Connecticut River, picnicking, and learning about 19th-century covered bridge engineering.
Getting There
Located on Route 10 in Haverhill, Grafton County — in the upper Connecticut River valley. The bridge site is accessible year-round for riverside recreation. Haverhill Corner, a classic New England village with a white-steepled church and village green, is nearby. The Appalachian Trail crosses the Connecticut River 15 miles north at Hanover (home of Dartmouth College).
History & Ecology
The Haverhill area contains some of New Hampshire’s finest colonial architecture, including the 1838 Grafton County Courthouse. The Connecticut River here supports Atlantic salmon restoration efforts — the salmon were extirpated by dams in the 19th century and are slowly returning through fish ladders and stocking programs. The river valley produces some of New Hampshire’s best maple syrup.
Insider Tips
Longest covered bridge: Bedell Bridge was once the second-longest covered bridge in the US (396 feet) — it tragically collapsed in a windstorm in 1979. Pro tip: The Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont was once lined with covered bridges — many survive today. Bridge engineering: The two-span lattice truss bridge was an engineering marvel — covered bridges could span distances that astonished European visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Connecticut River valley foliage. Summer: River recreation. Year-round: Interpretive site. Spring: River views.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many covered bridges are in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has 54 covered bridges — the fourth-most of any state. The Connecticut River and its tributaries required many crossings, and New Hampshire’s timber resources made wooden bridges practical. Several are still in daily use. The Cornish-Windsor Bridge (460 feet) crossing to Vermont is the longest covered bridge in the US.
Wildlife & Nature
Bedell Bridge State Historic Site — along the Connecticut River in Haverhill — marks the location of the historic Bedell Covered Bridge, which was the longest two-span covered bridge in the US (396 feet) before it was destroyed by a windstorm in 1979. The Connecticut River floodplain supports bald eagles, great blue herons, and bank swallows. Osprey fish from perches. White-tailed deer browse in the river bottom meadows.
Nearby Attractions
Haverhill — adjacent — has a historic village center. Woodsville — nearby — sits at the Connecticut-Ammonoosuc River confluence. Grafton County offers scenic drives through the Upper Connecticut River valley. White Mountain National Forest is 20 miles east.
