Historic covered bridge in Yosemite National Park, built in 1868 by Galen Clark. The only covered bridge in the western region of the National Park System.
Nestled within the breathtaking landscape of Yosemite National Park, the Wawona Covered Bridge holds the unique distinction of being the only covered bridge in the entire western region of the National Park System. This charming 130-foot structure, spanning the South Fork of the Merced River, serves as the historic gateway to the Pioneer Yosemite History Center—a remarkable outdoor museum that preserves the stories of Yosemite's earliest visitors and guardians.
Built in 1868 by Galen Clark, Yosemite's first guardian and one of its most influential early conservationists, the bridge originally formed a crucial component of the road connecting Wawona to Yosemite Valley. The open bridge wasn't covered until 1878, when the Washburn brothers from Vermont added the distinctive cladding—partly for practical protection against the elements, but also, according to family accounts, from nostalgia for their New England homeland. Today, visitors from around the world walk across this historic span to experience a tangible connection to Yosemite's pioneering past.
The story of Wawona Covered Bridge is inseparably linked with Galen Clark, one of Yosemite's most important historical figures. Clark arrived in the Wawona area in 1855, seeking to cure his tuberculosis in the mountain air. He established Clark's Station, a rustic waystation for travelers, and became captivated by the giant sequoias of the nearby Mariposa Grove. His tireless advocacy helped convince President Abraham Lincoln to sign the 1864 Yosemite Grant, which set aside Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove for preservation—a groundbreaking action that presaged the national park concept.
Clark received permission from the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors in May 1868 to construct a toll bridge across the South Fork of the Merced River. By June 1st, he was authorized to collect tolls, and his hand-hewn bridge became operational as part of his ambitious but ultimately unrealized plan to build a complete road to Yosemite Valley. The original bridge structure was an open-truss design, with massive Ponderosa pine beams hewn with ax and adze, braced by iron tie rods in a modified queen-post truss configuration.
In 1874, Clark sold his station and property to the Washburn Group of investors, who completed the road to Yosemite Valley by 1875. In 1878, the Washburn brothers—Henry, Edward, and John from Vermont—added the Douglas fir covering and distinctive gabled roof. While the covering protected the structural timbers from weather deterioration (extending the bridge's lifespan considerably), family tradition suggests the brothers were also homesick for Vermont's iconic covered bridges. The lumber for the covering came from the Washburns' own local sawmill.
The bridge served all automobile traffic to Yosemite until 1937, when the Wawona Road was rerouted to a new concrete bridge about 200 meters southwest. Severe flooding in 1955 nearly destroyed the covered bridge, leaving it sagging 3-4 feet with broken floor beams and failing structural members. Park superintendent John Preston warned that "several inches of new snow upon the bridge could cause it to collapse." However, National Park Service landscape architect Thomas Chalmers Vint successfully advocated for the bridge's preservation rather than replacement. The subsequent restoration became part of Mission 66, the Park Service's ambitious mid-century infrastructure program, with the bridge becoming the centerpiece of the newly created Pioneer Yosemite History Center in 1957.
The Wawona Covered Bridge measures 130 feet, 4 inches in overall length and 16 feet, 6 inches in width, with a total height of 30 feet from the peak of its gabled roof to the top of the transverse floor beams. The structure employs a modified queen-post truss design constructed with native woods—primarily hand-hewn Ponderosa pine for the principal truss members, with plain-sawn Douglas fir for vertical and diagonal elements.
The truss system is braced by steel tie rods that provide the tension necessary to keep the structure stable under load. A pair of longitudinal stringers spans between the trusses, supported by seven transverse floor beams (outriggers) that carry the deck planking. This elegant arrangement efficiently distributes weight and accommodates seasonal expansion and contraction of the wooden members.
The covering structure, added in 1878, features Douglas fir siding and a traditional gabled roof that creates the tunnel-like passage so characteristic of covered bridges. This covering serves multiple purposes: it protects the structural timbers from weathering, provides shelter for travelers and horses during Yosemite's occasional storms, and helps calm nervous horses who might otherwise be frightened by the sight of rushing water below.
The Wawona Covered Bridge is located within Yosemite National Park in the Wawona area, approximately 27 miles south of Yosemite Valley via Highway 41 (Wawona Road). The bridge is at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, directly behind the Wawona Store and shuttle stop. GPS coordinates: 37.5356°N, 119.6564°W. Note: A $35 entrance fee (per vehicle, valid 7 days) is required to enter Yosemite National Park.
Park at the day-use lot near the Wawona Store or at designated parking areas for the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. The bridge is a short, easy walk from parking areas—look for the covered bridge behind the store near the riverbank. The structure is open for pedestrian crossing year-round during daylight hours. The surrounding History Center grounds feature interpretive signs, historic buildings, and picnic areas. Restrooms are available at the Wawona Store and visitor facilities.
The bridge is accessible year-round, with each season offering unique experiences. Spring (April-June) brings rushing water in the South Fork Merced from snowmelt, along with blooming dogwoods and wildflowers. Summer (July-September) offers warm weather, living history demonstrations at the Pioneer Center, and occasional wagon rides. Fall (October-November) features spectacular autumn colors and smaller crowds. Winter (December-March) can bring snow to Wawona (elevation 4,000 feet), creating picturesque scenes, though road conditions require winter tires or chains. For living history programs and wagon rides, visit during summer weekends when volunteer docents and park rangers conduct interpretive activities.
The Wawona Covered Bridge offers enchanting photo opportunities in every season. Position yourself on the riverbank downstream for classic three-quarter views showing the bridge's relationship to the South Fork Merced. Spring's rushing water and blooming dogwoods add dynamic elements. Shoot from inside the bridge looking out toward either end—the tunnel framing creates compelling compositions, especially with people as scale references. Early morning light (7-9 AM) provides soft, warm illumination with fewer visitors. The bridge photographs beautifully with snow on its roof in winter. For reflections, visit during late summer/fall when water levels drop and flow calms. Include historic buildings from the Pioneer Center in wider compositions to establish context. The bridge interior's weathered wood beams and hand-hewn details reward close-up photography. Golden hour (late afternoon) brings warm light that accentuates the wood tones and creates long shadows across the structure.
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