Covered Bridges of Madison County
Six surviving timber covered bridges in an Iowa farming county, made famous by a novel and the film after it.
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Madison County had nineteen covered bridges at the peak; six remain, built between 1870 and 1884, roofed and sided because covering the timber deck kept it dry and made the structure last far longer than an open one. Several were moved to their present sites for preservation. Robert James Waller's 1992 novel and the 1995 film made them internationally known and turned a quiet county into a destination, which the county has managed rather than resisted - there is a festival each October and a marked driving route. The Roseman and Holliwell bridges are the two most visited. Cedar Bridge burned twice by arson and has been rebuilt both times.
What you actually see
- Six bridges from 1870 to 1884 - roofed to keep the deck dry.
- Roseman and Holliwell - the two most photographed.
- Cedar Bridge - burned twice and rebuilt both times.
- A marked driving route - linking them across the county.
When to go
May to October; the festival is in October. Half a day.
Honest expectations
They are spread out and need a car, some on gravel roads. Several have been relocated from their original crossings. The film association draws crowds to two of the six. There is little else in the county.
Nearby
Winterset is central; Des Moines is north-east.
What to pack for Covered Bridges of Madison County
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
