The Elizabethton Covered Bridge crosses the Doe River in downtown Elizabethton, Tennessee, at Third Avenue. Its historic timber design and riverside setting make it a natural starting point for a walk around the city centre.
- Location: Third Avenue, downtown Elizabethton, Carter County
- Park address: 717 E Elk Ave, Elizabethton, TN 37643
- Typical access: Covered Bridge Park is described as open year-round
Finding the covered bridge
The Elizabethton Covered Bridge stands over the Doe River at Third Avenue in downtown Elizabethton. Covered Bridge Park, at 717 E Elk Ave, provides the named park setting for the bridge.
Also called the Doe River Bridge, it sits in the city centre, so you can make it the first stop on a downtown walk. From Travelers Inn Elizabethton, the bridge is about 1.2 miles away.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development describes Covered Bridge Park as a park and a place for picnics, festivals and live entertainment. Check the official site before you go for current visitor details.
A short walk around downtown
Downtown Elizabethton’s covered bridge and riverfront give you a clear focal point for a walk, while the surrounding city centre adds a broader sense of place. Main Street Elizabethton provides an interactive downtown map and a downloadable PDF map for finding businesses and points of interest.
Covered Bridge Jams take place on Saturday evenings in summer. Covered Bridge Days is a September festival featuring live music, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Another historic stop in the area is Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.
Historic details to look for
The covered bridge is a Howe truss built between 1882 and 1884. Its structure was designed with a span of 137 feet and a total length of 154.3 feet, according to the Historic American Engineering Record.
The same record names E.E. Hunter as general contractor and Thomas E. Matson as supervising engineer. The bridge also has a place in local flood history: it survived the 1901 flood, when floodwaters, logs and a barn damaged it.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation survey describes one traffic lane and one sidewalk. From the outside, the bridge’s timber framework and covered form are the defining features to take in as you approach.
Parking and access for visitors
Covered Bridge Park is the practical reference point for reaching the bridge, and its address is 717 E Elk Ave. The bridge is a historic crossing in downtown rather than a stand-alone attraction outside the city.
For current access and parking details, check the official site before you go; the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development describes the park and its recurring events.
FAQs
What is another name for the Elizabethton Covered Bridge?
It is also called the Doe River Bridge.
What kind of bridge is it?
It is a Howe truss covered bridge.
When do Covered Bridge Jams take place?
Covered Bridge Jams take place on Saturday evenings in summer.
What happened to the bridge during the 1901 flood?
The bridge survived, although floodwaters, logs and a barn damaged it.