Historic Gold Brook Covered Bridge
4.6(627)google
5.0(8)yelp
Historic BuildingTransit HeritagePhoto SpotRomanticHistoryEerie & Haunted
Overview
Built in 1844 in Stowe, the Historic Gold Brook Covered Bridge, affectionately known as 'Emily's Bridge', is a beautiful wooden structure famed as the only covered bridge in New England with an active ghost story. Constructed using a classic Howe truss design, this historic engineering landmark spans Gold Brook and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Travelers visit not only for its picturesque rustic charm but also to hear the legendary paranormal folklore surrounding a brokenhearted 19th-century girl.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration15-30 minutes
Best TimeThis legendary, haunting 1844 Howe truss wooden covered bridge—world-famous under its ghostly moniker 'Emily's Bridge'—is an open-air historical marvel. The absolute defining slot is sunset leading into twilight (6:00 PM to 7:30 PM) on a clear evening; low slanting sun rays pierce the dark interior timber framing, creating a dramatic gothic shadow grid.
Getting ThereSituated in rural south Stowe at 142 Emily's Bridge Rd. Private vehicles can drive directly through the single-lane bridge; note that tall RVs are legally banned due to low clearance. From VT-100 S, turn left onto Gold Brook Rd, travel for 1 mile, and turn onto Emily's Bridge Rd. A small free gravel public roadside pull-off space sits directly at the bridge mouth.
Travel Tips
- As an active single-lane historic wooden bridge, the clearance height is restricted to 11ft 6in; oversized RVs and high-top trailers must never enter.
- Properties on both flanks are privately owned; camping and prolonged idling are prohibited, with roadside clearings restricted to quick 15-minute photo stops.
- Known locally as Emily's Bridge, the area lacks streetlights and features narrow blind curves; avoid after-dark visits due to high ditch-rollover risks.
Reviews
Positive
- Famous as the 'Screaming Emily' haunted bridge, it preserves classic 19th-century wooden truss engineering enhanced by a mysterious urban legend, rich in history and fun.
- Completely free to the public, cars can still drive through slowly; the raw wooden textures and surrounding clear stream are incredibly photogenic for a quick photo stop.
- The surrounding area is quiet and elegant, escaping the crowds of Stowe's core commercial district with zero over-commercial footprint, offering a pure Vermont rural vibe.
- Google Maps navigation is precise, and both ends of the bridge feature small temporary pull-off areas; car turnover is fast, requiring zero lines for close-up viewing.
Heads up
- The function is highly singular—essentially a short single-lane covered bridge taking just 5-10 minutes to photograph; a dedicated trip from afar might feel underwhelming.
- The surrounding public infrastructure is completely zero; with no restrooms, trash cans, or shaded benches, visitors must pack out their own waste.
- Since it operates as an active single-lane public road, standing on the narrow shoulder to take photos requires constant vigilance for oncoming cars, posing safety risks for kids.
- The site lacks multilingual background story plaques and dedicated accessible ramps; the gravel shoulder gets muddy after rain, making wheelchair or stroller access bumpy.