Historic Big Eddie Covered Bridge
Historical landmark
05 (3)
Historic Swiftwater Covered Bridge, 7 Porter Rd, Bath, NH 03740
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
RiverNH
Swiftwater Bridge
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Explore Swiftwater Covered Bridge and the Big Eddy river setting in Bath, NH, with reviewed photos, access cautions and local historical sources.
Swimming restriction
Historical swimming recognition is not clearance for every pool or bank. Follow current postings and confirm the intended approach with the town or land manager. Do not jump from the bridge or rocks.
Official sources checked:
Water type
River
Access
Informal
Fee
No current fee schedule was established; do not treat old free-entry claims or Google parking labels as current terms.
Best season
Choose daylight and suitable weather for a land-based visit
Nearby towns
Swiftwater, Bath, Woodsville
Water body
Wild Ammonoosuc River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Swiftwater, Bath, Woodsville
Access location not verified
44.13388, -71.95095
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Swiftwater Bridge
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
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
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- 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.
Swiftwater Bridge: covered-bridge scenery and the Eddy pools
At Swiftwater, the Wild Ammonoosuc River runs through a rocky setting beneath a historic wooden bridge. A land-based visit can combine bridge photography with river scenery. Plan the approach carefully rather than treating the bridge pin as a verified swimming entry.
Understand what the local sources establish
Bath's bridge-history page distinguishes Swiftwater from the town's other covered bridges. Its 2007 master plan recognizes Big Eddy and Little Eddy as swimming areas, but explicitly says the plan has no regulatory power. That historical description is not today's permission notice or a safety inspection.
Confirm the bank approach and parking
The old advice that water is easily accessible from the area surrounding the bridge is too broad. Confirm which bank and path you may use, keep driveways and traffic lanes clear, and turn back if legal parking is unavailable. Do not interpret a river-side road name as public access.
Keep the cascades out of your swim plan
Moving water over rock can be difficult to judge from shore or a photograph. Do not jump from the bridge, dive from ledges or approach the base of cascades. No current water-quality clearance, safe depth or supervised swimming service was established in this review. Plan a scenery-only visit when permission or conditions are uncertain.
Use the gallery for place context
The selected photographs connect the named bridge facade with its river and autumn setting. They show exposed rock and moving water, not a certified swimming route. Photo dates and water levels differ, so none should be used to predict the day you arrive.
Getting There
Plan for Swiftwater Covered Bridge in Bath near NH Route 112. The saved landmark record identifies Porter Road; confirm current routing and bridge restrictions before driving. The retained pin marks historical bridge context, not a surveyed swimming entry. Find legal parking and a permitted land approach; do not assume any roadside shoulder or path is public.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The 2007 town road inventory lists Little Eddy Lane as private. Do not use its name as proof of a public approach or parking right; confirm current ownership and permission.
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
Historical swimming recognition is not clearance for every pool or bank. Follow current postings and confirm the intended approach with the town or land manager. Do not jump from the bridge or rocks. 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.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
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
Swiftwater Estates
Housing development
0.3 mi
5 (1)
Pioneer Rd, Bath, NH 03740
SWIFTWATER WAY STATION
General store
0.4 mi
4.9 (78)
533 Wild Ammonoosuc Rd, Bath, NH 03740
RestroomWi-Fi
Twin River Campground & Cottages
Campground
1.7 mi
4.6 (223)
U.S. 302 &, NH-112, Bath, NH 03740
Kid-friendly
Ammonoosuc Rail Trail Parking
Hiking area
2.4 mi
4.3 (6)
Bath, NH 03740
Parking for the Ammonoosuc rail trail
Hiking area
2.4 mi
431 Rum Hill Rd, Bath, NH 03740
Lone Oak Trailhead
Hiking area
4.3 mi
4.7 (21)
15 Abbott Ave, Bath, NH 03740
White Mountains Visitor Center
Visitor center
15.2 mi
4.7 (1190)
200 NH-112, North Woodstock, NH 03262
Info about activities, lodgings & events in the area, plus history displays & a gift shop.
Restroom
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Swiftwater Bridge
Is Swiftwater the same as the Bath Covered Bridge?
No. Bath's official history describes Swiftwater, Bath Covered Bridge and Bath-Haverhill Bridge separately. This listing concerns Swiftwater on the Wild Ammonoosuc River.
Does the town recognize swimming at the Eddy pools?
Its 2007 master plan recognizes Big Eddy and Little Eddy swimming areas. The plan is nonregulatory and does not establish today's access permission or safe conditions.
Can I use Little Eddy Lane as a public approach?
Do not assume so. The 2007 town road inventory lists it as private. Confirm current ownership and permission instead of following the name alone.
Is jumping from the bridge or rocks recommended?
No. Avoid jumping and diving. Current, cold water and hidden hazards can exist even where photographs show a calm-looking pool.
Are parking, toilets and lifeguards confirmed?
No current parking terms, toilets or lifeguard service were verified for the entry. Confirm local arrangements and bring supplies.
Highlights
Historic covered bridge
Cascades and rock-edged river scenery
Big Eddy and Little Eddy historical context
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving and the base of cascades
- Slick rock, current, cold water and hidden obstructions can be dangerous
- A still-looking pool in a photo is not a depth measurement or current water-quality result
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
The town identifies the current Swiftwater bridge as dating to 1849 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is distinct from the Bath Covered Bridge and Bath-Haverhill Bridge.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Four historical photographs show the covered bridge above cascades in autumn, its named entrance, rock-edged river pools and a side view beside moving water. They do not establish today's access or safety.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect adjoining property, carry out litter and avoid damaging vegetation or entering the river solely for a photograph.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Choose daylight and suitable weather for a land-based visit; a summer date does not establish safe flow.
Difficulty Level
Uneven rock and riverbank footing shown in the photos. No exact approach distance or step-free water entry verified.
Fee
No current fee schedule was established; do not treat old free-entry claims or Google parking labels as current terms.
Facilities
Bring drinking water and supplies. Confirm parking and any facilities before leaving; the covered bridge is a landmark, not a staffed beach building.
Activities
Bridge-history exploration and photography from authorized land access; swimming depends on current permission and conditions.
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 campsite or overnight permission established here. Arrange lodging or an authorized campground 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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