Timber Humpback Bridge above Dunlap Creek with autumn trees
CreekVA

Humpback Bridge

By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated

Background photo from a past visit, not current conditions. View photos and source links

Preview Virginia's Humpback Bridge near Covington with reviewed covered-bridge and creek photos, wayside picnic context and clear limits on unverified swimming access.

Water type
Creek
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Current admission or parking charges were not independently verified. No universal free-access guarantee is made.
Best season
Check current site hours with the operator before planning a visit
Nearby towns
Lexington, Covington
Water body
Dunlap Creek

Location

Map & Directions

VA
Nearby towns
Lexington, Covington
Access location not verified
37.793453, -79.993948
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.

Sources & checks

This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.

Swimming rules
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
Access location not verified
The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
Record updated
· This is a data update, not a field visit.

Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.

A covered-bridge stop near Covington

Humpback Bridge is worth considering for a short architecture and landscape visit. The reviewed photos show the timber bridge above the creek, its surroundings and a LOVE sculpture in the wayside setting. They help preview a stop, not assess water depth.

Make the bridge the destination

The Virginia tourism listing describes the historic covered bridge and a picnic wayside on Midland Trail near Covington. Navigate to that named destination and confirm current designated parking. The tourism contact can help direct planning questions, but it is not an emergency number.

Do not turn a scenic creek into a swimming guarantee

Current operator approval for swimming has not been established. Old advice about rope swings and entering the creek has been removed, including suggestions to wade when water is high. Plan a bridge-viewing visit unless the responsible operator confirms another authorized activity.

Check facilities for your group

A picnic setting does not establish toilets, changing rooms or an accessible route into the creek. Ask about the parking surface and approach if anyone in your group needs a step-free visit. Keep children close near the bank and avoid slippery rocks.

Use the photos as a preview

The selected gallery provides both wider and closer bridge context without visitor-filled swimming scenes. Stay on authorized paths when looking for your own angle; a camera position in an older image is not a route recommendation. Leave time for a relaxed picnic if conditions and current site arrangements allow it.

Getting There

Use the Humpback Bridge wayside destination on Midland Trail near Covington and confirm current designated parking. Old rope-swing and water-entry instructions have been removed. The retained coordinate is not a verified swimming entrance.

Access Notes

The Virginia tourism listing supports a historic bridge and picnic visit, not a current swimming designation or universally accessible creek route.

Plan Your Visit

Parking & Access

Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.

Regulations & Fees

Confirm current rules with the site operator before any water activity. Tourism descriptions and photographs of the creek do not establish swimming approval. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.

Seasonality & Flow

Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.

Nearby Facilities

Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.

Map data retrieved 2026-06-15

100 Virginia St Garage

Parking lot

2.3 (3)

100 E Virginia St, Covington, VA 24426

Humpback Bridge Wayside

Park

4.8 (349)

9211 Rumsey Rd, Covington, VA 24426

Barbecue grillPicnic tables

Buckhorne Country Store and Campground

Campground

4.4 (186)

3508 Douthat Rd, Clifton Forge, VA 24422

Whispering Pines Campground

Campground

4.8 (50)

Clifton Forge, VA 24422

Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water

Morris Hill Campground

Campground

4.2 (75)

Coles Mountain Rd, Hot Springs, VA 24445

Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water

Public Restroom

Public bathroom

4 (3)

100 Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 22314

Covington Parks & Recreation

Park

4.3 (9)

333 W Locust St, Covington, VA 24426

Public restroom

VTC-Welcome Center

Tourist information center

4.6 (1716)

100 Welcome Center Dr, Covington, VA 24426

Restroom

Frequently Asked Questions About Humpback Bridge

Is Humpback Bridge a designated swimming location?

A current swimming designation has not been verified. The tourism source supports a historic bridge and picnic visit.

Are rope swings recommended?

No. Rope-swing and bridge-jumping instructions have been removed.

Is the creek bank accessible to everyone?

That has not been established. Ask the operator about the parking-to-bridge route and specific mobility needs.

Are toilets or changing rooms verified?

No. Current availability was not verified; plan accordingly.

Highlights

Historic covered bridge
Dunlap Creek landscape
Wayside picnic setting

Location & Area Map

Safety Information

Important Safety Tips

  • Do not use rope swings, jump from the bridge or enter high water
  • Keep children away from the creek edge; a scenic shallow section is not proof of safe conditions

Cultural & Historical Context

Historical Background

Humpback Bridge is a historical landmark dating back to 1857, offering insight into early American engineering and local culture.

Photography Guide

Photo Opportunities

Three reviewed photos show two covered-bridge views and a LOVE sculpture beside the bridge. A visitor-filled water scene was withheld.

Conservation & Ethics

Protect This Place

Follow Leave No Trace principles to protect the creek and surrounding ecosystem. Avoid disturbing wildlife and pack out all trash.

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At a Glance

Best Time to Visit
Check current site hours with the operator before planning a visit.
Difficulty Level
Confirm the parking-to-bridge surface for your mobility needs. No universal accessibility claim is made for the bank or water.
Fee
Current admission or parking charges were not independently verified. No universal free-access guarantee is made.
Facilities
The area includes toilets, picnic tables, and ample parking, ensuring a comfortable visit.
Activities
Historic bridge viewing, photography and authorized picnicking; swimming permission unverified
Phone
540-962-2178 (tourism contact listed by Virginia.org; not an emergency number)

Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

Camping Information

No bridge-site camping permission verified; arrange overnight accommodation separately.

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Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

  • Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
  • Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
  • Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
  • Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
  • Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
  • Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes

Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.

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