Madison County, Iowa, is home to six remaining historic covered wooden bridges, the most of any county in the state and the subject of Robert James Waller's 1992 novel and the 1995 film The Bridges of Madison County. Located 35 miles southwest of Des Moines via I-35 South and US-169, Winterset serves as the hub for a self-guided driving tour through rural Madison County farmland. The journey takes roughly 45 minutes by car from Des Moines; no public transit serves this route. Six bridges survive from the original 19 that once dotted the county. The Roseman Bridge (1883), spanning Middle River on Cox Farm Road, is the most photographed and appeared prominently in the film adaptation. The Hogback Bridge (1884) crosses the North River on Pammel Park Road near Pammel State Park. Holliwell Bridge (1880) is the longest of the six at 122 feet, arching over Middle River on Elderberry Avenue. Cedar Bridge on Cedar Bridge Road was rebuilt after an arson fire in 2002. Cutler-Donahoe Bridge, relocated to Winterset City Park and walkable from downtown, and Imes Bridge complete the six. A recommended itinerary begins at the Madison County Welcome Center on Jefferson Street in Winterset, where staff provide a free county map marking all six bridges with GPS coordinates. Morning light on the eastern bridges — Imes and Roseman — favors photography. After visiting two or three bridges, a stop in downtown Winterset provides lunch options on the courthouse square. The Madison County Museum complex on Summit Street includes three outbuildings and an 1850s cabin offering historical context in about 30 minutes. The afternoon suits the remaining bridges before finishing at Winterset's Northside Cafe or the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, located near the town square. The entire self-guided circuit covers approximately 30 to 40 miles of rural road. October brings peak fall foliage framing the aged timber bridges in brilliant color and draws weekend visitors for the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, typically held the second weekend of October.
How to get there
- Car (essential)
- Seasonal guided tours from Des Moines advertised at madisoncounty.com
Location
Madison County Welcome Center, 73 Jefferson St, Winterset, IA 50273
41.3305, -94.0158 View on map
Highlights
- Roseman Bridge (1883) — most-photographed covered bridge in Iowa and the filming location for The Bridges of Madison County
- Holliwell Bridge — longest of the six at 122 feet, spanning Middle River with original timber construction intact
- Hogback Bridge — positioned beside Pammel State Park, combining a bridge visit with accessible nature trails along the North River
- John Wayne Birthplace Museum — childhood home of the film star, located in downtown Winterset near the Welcome Center
- Madison County Covered Bridge Festival — annual second-weekend-of-October celebration with arts, crafts, and guided bridge tours
Tips for visiting
- Pick up the free bridge map at the Madison County Welcome Center before starting — GPS coordinates for all six bridges are printed on it
- Start with Imes and Roseman bridges in the morning when eastern light favors photography
- Weekday visits avoid the October festival crowds; the festival brings heavy traffic on county roads
- Cedar Bridge Road is unpaved and can be muddy after rain — check local road conditions before driving off the main route
- Combine with a lunch stop on Winterset's courthouse square, where independent cafes are within walking distance of the Welcome Center
When to visit
October offers peak fall foliage framing the aged wooden bridge timbers in color, coinciding with the Covered Bridge Festival on the second weekend. Spring and summer visits are quieter, with green farmland providing a pastoral backdrop without festival crowds.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors walk through the covered bridges?
Yes, all six bridges are accessible on foot and visitors can walk through them. Vehicles are permitted through several bridges, though some have posted weight or width restrictions. The bridges are lit naturally by gaps in the wooden siding.
Is there an admission fee to see the bridges?
The bridges themselves are free to visit. The Madison County Covered Bridge Festival charges a small admission. The John Wayne Birthplace Museum and the Madison County Museum complex have separate entry fees.
What is the best order to visit the bridges?
A logical circuit begins at Cutler-Donahoe Bridge in Winterset City Park, proceeds northeast to Imes, then loops to Hogback, Cedar, Holliwell, and Roseman. This route minimizes backtracking over roughly 30 miles of county roads.
Are the county roads passable year-round?
Most county roads are passable but some gravel sections become muddy in spring or after heavy rain. All-season vehicles are not required, but checking local road conditions before a wet-season visit is advisable.