Campbell’s Covered Bridge

Last Remaining Covered Bridge in South Carolina

Built in 1909, Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in the State of South Carolina. Built by Charles Irwin Willis, the 38 foot long, 12 foot wide bridge spans Beaverdam Creek. The bridge is named after Alexander Lafayette Campbell, who lived at the site and operated the corn grist mill located about 50 feet downstream of the bridge.

Campbell’s Covered Bridge was one of four covered bridges built in the northern part of Greenville County in the twentieth century. This bridge was the largest and most sophisticated of the four. The bridge connected several rural communities and small towns in the immediate vicinity, making a 25 mile trip that had once taken a full day of travel before the bridge was completed down to a trip that could be made in about an hour after the bridge was constructed.

Campbell’s Covered Bridge has a pretty rare construction with a four-span, Howe truss design and features vertical iron rods and diagonal pine timbers.

The Campbell bridge has been restored twice. The Crescent Garden Club, first restored it in 1964 and then again in1990.

Campbell’s Covered Bridge is a four-span Howe truss bridge with counter braces. The two outer spans are each 9’ long and the two inner spans are 8’ long. Each truss is 4” x 8”. Each counter brace is made from 2” x 8” pine boards nailed together in an interlocking pattern. Vertical tie rods, which are called kingposts, were made from 1” diameter iron rods and are in between each span. These tie the top and bottom chords together. This truss construction method absorbs and transfers a passing vehicle’s weight to the rock abutments on each end of the bridge.

Exploring What the Park Has to Offer

Located in northern Greenville County, Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the main attraction in the 18.65 acre park. Visitors can also explore the foundations of the old grist mill and home site. For those who like hiking, there is a 8/10th mile nature trail with signs describing the area. The trail is unpaved and probably not the best for strollers. However, while a bit hilly, it is definitely doable for your kiddos.

While we were visiting several families were playing in the water next to the bridge in Beaverdam Creek. You can get down to the creek from either side of the bridge. The creek is shallow and pretty wide with lots of flat rocks to sit on while you watch the kiddos splashing in the water. There’s lot of tree cover so it doesn’t get too hot. It was a great place just to relax and wind down at the end of a busy week.

There are several picnic tables and benches where you can have a quiet lunch or just sit down and relax.

There is a large parking lot so you should be able to find a place to park whenever you visit. From the parking area there is a large walkway that leads straight to the covered bridge. Although you can’t drive through the covered bridge you can walk through to the other side and explore the other sights available. Please plan ahead as there are no restroom facilities available.

Directions

From U.S. Hwy 25 north of Travelers Rest, take State Rd 414 through Tigerville. Turn right on Pleasant Hill Rd, right on Campbell’s Bridge Rd and travel approximately a quarter-mile to bridge.

Address: 171 Campbells Covered Bridge Rd, Landrum, SC 29356

Nearby Waterfalls

Falls Park on the Reedy River is located right in downtown Greenville. Falls Park is a 26 acre park with a waterfall, trails, wooden swings and Liberty Bridge (a large suspension bridge which is amazing to look at in the evening). Reedy River Falls is a 40 foot waterfall. Reedy River Falls is actually made up of three separate waterfalls with several smaller cascades surrounding the waterfalls.

Pleasant Ridge Falls, located inside Pleasant Ridge County Park, is an easy 0.2 mile hike down the nature trail. Pleasant Ridge Falls is a two-tiered waterfall. The first tier is 8 feet tall and then it continues for another 25 feet before the second tier which is another 15 feet.

Cedar Falls is located inside Cedar Falls park in Greenville County. The Reedy River at this point widens to over 200 feet, cascading over rocks to create a beautiful and picturesque waterfall.

Waterfalls in Cleveland include: Jones Gap Falls (located in Jones Gap State Park), Raven Cliff Falls (a four-mile round trip to a scenic overlook, located in Caesar’s Head State Park) and Wildcat Branch Falls. We have not visited Jones Gap Falls or Raven Cliff Falls as the water flow was low so we are saving them for another trip. Wildcat Branch Falls is comprised of three separate waterfalls and is also known as Wildcat Wayside. The first sections of Wildcat Branch Falls are easy and the third is moderate.

Nearby Bridge

Poinsett Bridge – The oldest bridge in South Carolina, completed in 1820, part of the original road connecting Greenville to Asheville. The stone bridge, named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, includes a 14-foot Gothic arch and spans 130 feet over Little Gap Creek.