Covered Bridges in Maryland: A Scenic Frederick County Driving Tour
Explore the covered bridges in Maryland with a scenic Frederick County driving tour. Visit Roddy Road, Utica, and Loys Station plus parks and a hidden wooden slide.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
I have a soft spot for covered bridges.
Not because Maryland has dozens of them (we don’t), but because the few that remain feel like little pieces of history tucked into quiet corners of the state.
And the funny thing is that most Maryland families drive past them without even realizing they exist.
The best cluster of covered bridges in Maryland sits in Frederick County, where three historic bridges are still standing and still open to traffic. They’re close enough together that you can visit all three in a single afternoon.
What makes this outing especially fun with kids is that two of the bridges sit next to great parks and playgrounds. And hidden nearby is one of the most unexpectedly fun kid attractions in the area — a long wooden covered slide that looks like it belongs at summer camp in 1955.
If you’re looking for a simple Maryland day trip that’s a little different from the usual playground circuit, a Frederick County covered bridge tour is surprisingly fun.
Looking for a full outing? Explore these perfect Maryland day trip ideas that combine parks, historic sites, and great local food.
Related: Check out the best playgrounds in Frederick County
Quick Snapshot: Covered Bridges in Maryland
Maryland actually has six known covered bridges, though only four are easy for visitors to see.
| Bridge | County | Built | Why Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roddy Road Covered Bridge | Frederick | 1856 | Most scenic |
| Utica Covered Bridge | Frederick | 1868 | Next to a playground |
| Loys Station Covered Bridge | Frederick | 1880 | Park + playground |
| Jericho Covered Bridge | Baltimore/Harford | 1865 | Inside Gunpowder Falls SP |
| Gilpin’s Falls Covered Bridge | Cecil | 1860 | Oldest bridge |
| Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge | Cecil | modern | Private property |
For most visitors, the Frederick County bridges are the main event.
They’re close together, easy to find, and make a perfect half-day outing.
A Simple Frederick County Covered Bridge Route
The Frederick County bridges sit within a small rural pocket of the county, so you can visit them without much driving.
This is the route that works best:
- Roddy Road Covered Bridge
- Utica Covered Bridge + Utica District Park
- Mount Tabor Park wooden slide
- Loys Station Covered Bridge + park
Even with playground time, the whole outing can easily fit into three or four hours.
Related: A great park to visit in Frederick County s Cunningham Falls State Park
Roddy Road Covered Bridge (The Most Scenic)
If someone asked me which covered bridge in Maryland is the prettiest, I wouldn’t hesitate: Roddy Road Covered Bridge.
It sits in the middle of classic Frederick County farmland, crossing Little Owens Creek.
The road leading to the bridge curves through fields and pastures, and when the bridge suddenly appears ahead of you it looks exactly like what people imagine when they think of a covered bridge.
Roddy Road was built in 1856, which makes it the oldest of the Frederick County bridges. It’s also the longest covered bridge in Maryland, stretching about 128 feet.
Unlike the other bridges on this tour, there isn’t really a park next to Roddy Road. It’s more of a scenic stop.
But that’s part of the charm.
You can pull off the road, walk through the bridge, and listen to the creek running underneath. The massive wooden trusses inside the bridge are still visible, and it’s easy to see how the structure works once you’re standing inside it.
In fall, when the surrounding trees change color, this bridge becomes one of the most photogenic spots in the county.
Related: If your kids love animals, visit Catoctin Wildlife Park for a few hours!
Utica Covered Bridge (Great Stop with Kids)
The Utica Covered Bridge is smaller and quieter than Roddy Road, but it’s a really fun stop if you’re exploring with kids.
The bridge itself was built in 1868 and crosses Fishing Creek.
One thing that surprises visitors is that the bridge doesn’t really have its own parking area. If you try to stop right next to it, you’ll quickly realize there isn’t much space.
The trick is to park at Utica District Park, which sits immediately beside the bridge.
And honestly, that works out better anyway.
Utica District Park has:
- a large playground
- ball fields
- walking paths
- plenty of open space
Once you park, you can walk over to the bridge in just a minute or two. Or, pull over in the grassy area next to the bridge. Just know that there isn’t much there other than the bridge itself.
Kids usually enjoy walking through the bridge and looking at the heavy wooden beams that hold the structure together. It’s a quick stop, but paired with the playground it becomes a really nice break during the drive.
Related: Sophie and Madigan’s Playground is an absolute gem for kids!
A Hidden Kid Favorite: Mount Tabor Park’s Covered Slide
If you’re visiting the Frederick County bridges with kids, there’s one stop that almost nobody expects.
Mount Tabor Park.
At first glance it looks like a small neighborhood park. But tucked into the hillside is a long wooden covered slide that kids absolutely love.
The slide runs through a covered wooden structure and is much longer than a typical playground slide. Instead of plastic, the entire thing is made of smooth wood.
Kids slide down using pieces of cardboard, which makes them go surprisingly fast.
The first time we stopped here, I figured my daughter would try it once and move on.
Instead, she ran back up the hill about ten times.
It’s simple, a little quirky, and one of those places that feels like a throwback to an earlier era of playgrounds.
Related: 30 Easy Hikes for Kids in Maryland!
Loys Station Covered Bridge (Best Stop for Families)
Of the three Frederick County bridges, Loys Station Covered Bridge is probably the easiest and most family-friendly stop.
That’s because the bridge sits right next to Loys Station Park, which has:
- a playground
- picnic tables
- open grassy space
- easy parking
If you’re planning to bring lunch or snacks, this is the best place on the tour to stop and relax.
The bridge itself was built in 1880 and crosses Opossum Creek. Like the other Frederick County bridges, it’s still open to vehicles — though it’s only one lane wide.
Kids usually like walking through the bridge and peeking through the narrow openings along the sides to watch the creek below.
Because the park sits right beside the bridge, this stop tends to last a little longer than the others.
And that’s not a bad thing.
Jericho Covered Bridge (Gunpowder Falls State Park)
Frederick County may get most of the attention, but Maryland has another historic covered bridge tucked into Gunpowder Falls State Park.
The Jericho Covered Bridge sits along the Little Gunpowder Falls and dates back to 1865.
Unlike the Frederick County bridges, Jericho is no longer open to vehicle traffic. Today it serves as a pedestrian crossing within the park.
The setting here feels very different from the farmland scenery in Frederick County. Instead of fields and country roads, the bridge is surrounded by forest and river views.
Visitors often combine a stop at Jericho with exploring the nearby Jerusalem Mill area, which has trails, historic buildings, and access to the river.
Map With All the bridges and parks
You don’t have to wonder how to get to all the bridges.. I made a map!
Related: 50 Best Maryland Day Trips for Families in Maryland
Why This Makes a Great Maryland Day Trip
Some outings require a lot of planning.
This one doesn’t.
Within a relatively small corner of Frederick County you can visit three historic covered bridges, stop at a couple playgrounds, and discover one of the most unexpectedly fun wooden slides in the state.
It’s simple, scenic, and just quirky enough to make the day memorable.
And sometimes that’s exactly the kind of adventure families need.
