This Vermont Covered Bridge Has Been a Fall Favorite for Decades

United States
By Arthur Caldwell

Deep in the Green Mountains near Stowe, Vermont, stands a red wooden bridge that has captured hearts for generations. Known as Gold Brook Covered Bridge—or Emily’s Bridge to locals—this 19th-century landmark transforms into something magical each autumn. When fall foliage explodes in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds, photographers, history lovers, and curious travelers make the pilgrimage to witness this timeless scene where legend, craftsmanship, and nature meet in perfect harmony.

A Masterpiece of 19th-Century Craftsmanship

Image Credit: Mfwills, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Master craftsman John W. Smith completed this remarkable structure in 1844, using a single-span wooden Howe truss design that was revolutionary for its time. The engineering behind this bridge allowed it to bear heavy loads while using less material than earlier designs, showcasing ingenuity that still impresses visitors today.



What makes Gold Brook truly special is its survival. Nearly 180 years of harsh Vermont winters, spring floods, and summer heat haven’t defeated its original timber framework. Unlike many covered bridges that crumbled or needed major rebuilds, this one stands strong with its authentic 1840s bones still doing the heavy lifting.



Walking through its wooden tunnel feels like stepping back in time, where every weathered beam tells stories of horse-drawn carriages and early American life.

The Only Active Timber Howe Truss Road Bridge in Vermont

© Flickr

Here’s something most people don’t realize: Gold Brook Bridge isn’t just a pretty relic you admire from afar. Cars, trucks, and bicycles cross it daily, making it Vermont’s only public road timber Howe truss bridge still carrying regular traffic. Most covered bridges got retired to pedestrian duty or replaced entirely, but this workhorse keeps doing its original job.



That combination of function and preservation is incredibly rare. Engineers marvel at how the wooden truss system continues handling modern vehicles without needing steel reinforcements or concrete supports that would erase its historical authenticity.



Driving through creates an unforgettable moment—the sudden darkness, the echo of tires on wooden planks, then bursting back into daylight on the other side.

Emily’s Ghost Story and Autumn Mystique

Image Credit: Ahale, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.

According to local legend, a heartbroken woman named Emily jumped from this bridge centuries ago, and her spirit never left. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the tale adds an undeniable chill when visiting at dusk, especially when October mist swirls through the ravine and leaves rustle mysteriously overhead.



The haunted reputation draws paranormal enthusiasts from across the country, some claiming to hear whispers or feel cold spots inside the bridge’s dim interior. Skeptics come for the spooky fun, believers come seeking proof, and everyone leaves with goosebumps and great stories.



Fall amplifies the eerie atmosphere perfectly. When golden hour light filters through fiery maples and shadows grow long, even non-believers admit the bridge feels otherworldly and beautifully haunted.

Perfect Fall Photography Destination

Image Credit: Photo taken by Jokermage at en.wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Measuring just 48.5 feet long and 17 feet wide, Gold Brook Bridge offers photographers intimate framing opportunities that larger bridges can’t match. Its compact size means you can capture both intricate architectural details and the explosion of surrounding fall colors in a single shot, creating compositions that look almost too perfect to be real.



October mornings bring magical light conditions. Sunrise filters through the forest canopy, casting dappled golden rays across the bridge’s red timbers while the brook below reflects brilliant foliage like a natural mirror. Long exposure shots of floating leaves and soft water create dreamy images that win photography contests.



Weekends get crowded with tripods and camera enthusiasts, so serious photographers arrive at dawn or twilight for solitude and optimal lighting.