Ohio Covered Bridges

The Riverview bridge. 10/6/2025 dwm

The Riverview bridge is literally in the shadow of it's big brother, the Smolen-Gulf bridge, which is 90-feet above.

We drove into the valley below the larger bridge to look up at it, and walked on the trail that winds through the Riverview bridge.

The Smolen-Gulf bridge is so big, it makes the Riverview look small. It's 150-feet long, which is larger than most covered bridges, but its location and that it doesn't carry vehicles, makes it feel small.

The bridge in the shadows. 10/6/202

Whether you stand next to the Riverview, looking up at the Smolen-Gulf supported by massive concrete piers, or looking down from above, it's easy to discount it.

I've ridden my bike over covered bridges, and none of them were as big as the Riverview.

The bridges weren't built at the same time. The Smolen-Gulf bridge opened in 2008, while the Riverview started construction in 2015 and opened the next year, designed by Smolen engineering.

I suspect the Riverview bridge, like the West Liberty, which was built in 2010, not only felt like natural additions in Ashtabula County, which attracts a lot of visitors to their 19 bridges, locals knew having more bridges than other counties would attract tourists.

The trail winds through a park. 10/6/25 dwm

I didn't have my bike on this trip, so riding through the park wasn't an option. If you plan to go, you might want to take yours or arrange to rent because there are several bridges to see with less than 20 miles of riding.

Riverview Covered Bridge

Style: Pratt Truss

Length: 150 feet

Built: 2016