The highest bridges in the United States are as spectacular as the tallest buildings and skyscrapers across the country.
While beautiful from afar, these bridges offer impressive sights from atop. You can’t help but marvel at these tremendous feats of engineering and architecture.
Feast your eyes on the highest bridges in the States, with stunning construction and designs.
1. Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado
Thanks to the Chief Engineer who designed this bridge and the efforts of his team of 80 brave men, America got its highest suspension bridge at 956 feet above Royal Gorge’s floor in 1929.
It also remained the world’s highest bridge until 2001.
Stretching 1,260 feet across the Royal Gorge and with 1,257 wooden planks, this is one bridge to visit if you seek adventures and thrills. But, of course, there’s also the majestic view of the Arkansas River.
If you visit during the summer, you can see all 50 state flags proudly flying along this bridge.
This is a must-visit vacation spot close to Cañon City, Colorado, inside Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, for the views, the experience, and the thrill of walking over this bridge.
2. New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
New River Gorge Bridge is a beauty indeed and, fittingly, one of the most photographed places in West Virginia.
What once took 40 minutes driving down narrow mountain roads to get across the river in Fayette County before 1977, now takes less than a minute across this bridge.
Standing 876 feet high, 3,030 feet long, with a 1,700-foot long steel arch, this bridge was designed by Michael Baker Company and cost $37 million to construct.
The bridge sees a daily traffic of over 16,000 vehicles.
If you happen to be around West Virginia in October, don’t miss out on the annual “Bridge Day” hosted on the third Saturday of October. You can experience thousands of spectators walking across the bridge, music, food and crafts vendors, rappelling, BASE jumping, and more.
3. Foresthill Bridge, California
Another stunning bridge set in picturesque scenery, the Auburn-Foresthill / Foresthill / Auburn Bridge, stands 730 feet above the American River’s North Fork stream bed in Placer County.
You might recall seeing this bridge in the movie XXX (2002) featuring Vin Diesel.
The construction of this 2,428 feet long bridge took an estimated $13 million, and it was the combined efforts of Willamette Western Contractors and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Since its opening in 1973, it has had vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Walking across the bridge, you can see handmade inscriptions made by passersby over the years, most being testaments to present and past relationships.
You might enjoy reading my article on United States dangerous bridges.
4. Grand Canyon Skywalk, Arizona
A unique, horseshoe-shaped bridge standing 720 feet high and 70 feet wide, the Grand Canyon Skywalk is all things mind-blowing.
The cantilever bridge in Eagle Point is at an elevation of 4,770 ft and was designed by Mark Ross Johnson Architects.
With a glass skywalk floor (made of five layers of glass) 2.5 inches thick and the surrounding red terrain, it has remained a tourist attraction since its opening in 2007.
This glass bridge extends 70 feet out beyond the Grand Canyon’s rim. And here’s the catch, you can’t take your cameras or cell phones with you on the skywalk. Just enjoy the moment and live the experience!
5. Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, Arizona
Extending over 1,271 feet in Coconino County, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built this Arizona landmark in 1959 to aid in the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam.
At 700 feet over the Colorado River, the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge marks the vital U.S. 89 route.
Like many things in life, the majestic bridge surrounded by red rocks and cliffs was born out of necessity. Unfortunately, it also involved the tragic deaths of 18 workers during its construction period.
6. Phil G. McDonald Bridge, West Virginia
The Phil G. McDonald Bridge also stands 700 feet high, similar to its previous contender.
The bridge was named after Phill G. McDonald, a native and U.S. army man, also a Medal of Honor (the highest military decoration) recipient, for his actions in the Vietnam War.
It’s considered the highest bridge among the U.S. Interstate Highways and has four lanes, with scenic views of Glade Creek. It’s known to many locals as the Glade Creek Bridge.
Costing $29 million, this bridge in Rayleigh County, a few miles east of Beckley, spans a width of 784 feet and was officially opened in 1988.
Don’t forget to glance around and take in the views of wonderful West Virginia while crossing over the bridge.
7. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, New Mexico
Call it the Gorge Bridge, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, or High Bridge; you have a postcard-perfect structure.
Since its opening in 1956, this bridge hovering 650 feet above the Rio Grande Gorge, has appeared in several movies, including Natural Born Killers, Twins, White Sands, Terminator Salvation, and Wild Hogs, among others.
With a lovely, serene ambiance, it was also named the Most Beautiful Long Span Steel Bridge of 1966.
You can even shop for souvenirs and other items from local vendors right next to the outlook area.
8. Perrine Bridge, Idaho
Named after I.B. Perrine (one of the principal founders of Twin Falls), the Perrine Bridge, which opened in 1976 over the Snake River, is a four-lane truss arch standing 485 feet high.
Perrine Bridge should be your next destination if you’re a BASE jumping enthusiast.
The 1,500-feet long bridge in Twin Falls carries the U.S. Highway 93 and connects Jerome County and Interstate 84.
This is one massive, majestic bridge with the river’s blue waters and beautiful canyon rock structures.
9. Navajo Bridge, Arizona
Two bridges, one new and one historic, remain among the seven land crossings across the Colorado River for 750 miles.
With two spans, the Navajo Bridge (or should I say bridges) is located on the East Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, on Navajo Tribal lands.
The older bridge (known as the Grand Canyon Bridge), built in 1929, is 467 feet high and 834 feet long and was the only place to cross the Colorado River for 600 miles. It remains open for pedestrian and equestrian use.
The newer bridge, built in 1995, stands 470 feet high and 909 feet long and is open for vehicular traffic.
10. Moyie River Canyon Bridge, Idaho
Standing 464 feet high, this bridge was built in 1965 to replace the old bridge erected in 1923 downstream from the Moyie Dam.
This 1,223 feet long steel truss cantilever bridge, currently under Idaho Transportation Department’s maintenance, is located at mile marker 70 on U.S. Route 2.
An architectural marvel against the foliage and backdrop of the spectacular Idaho County, this bridge near Moyie Springs, just east of Bonners Ferry, is a local attraction owing to the stunning canyon views from the bridge.
11. Pine Valley Creek Bridge, California
Located in San Diego County, California, the bridge is also known as the Nello Irwin Greer Memorial Bridge.
It opened in 1974, named after Nello Irwin Greer, a U.S. Army Sergeant from World War II and project engineer.
Standing 450 feet above the Pine Valley floor, the bridge has two spans stretching 1,691 feet (Northern span) and 1,741 feet (Southern span) long. It’s a reinforced concrete box girder bridge.
Thanks to Greer’s design, the Pine Valley Project was re-routed to help preserve the charming beauty of the mountain community of eastern San Diego County, along with saving construction costs worth millions.
If you drive on Interstate 8 east as far as Pine Valley, you’ll most certainly enjoy the views from the high-altitude bridge just before the Pine Valley exit.
12. Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge, California
It’s green, it’s the state’s biggest steel arch bridge, and its tallest point stands 400 feet above the Cold Spring Canyon’s floor.
The 1,217 feet long bridge in Santa Ynez Mountains connects Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara and is part of State Route 54.
Considered a site of historical importance, this bridge was deemed eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Completed in 1964, the bridge also adds to its designation as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
While crossing the bridge, you’ll be greeted with panoramic views of the mountains and the valley below.
13. Burro Creek Canyon Bridge, Arizona
About 15 miles south of Wikieup, Mohave County is a steel arch bridge that exemplifies the bridges built around the mid-century.
This bridge has two arch spans. Built in 1966, the original silver-colored two-lane truss arch stands 388 feet over Burro Creek and is 680 feet long. However, since this wasn’t sufficient as it once was, the 700-feet long newer Burro Creek Bridge was built in 2005.
The newer, rust-weathered arch carries two lanes of northbound traffic, with the previous one handling southbound traffic.
Two similar bridges running parallel with a scenic backdrop make for a sight to behold.
14. High Steel Bridge, Washington
At a time when temporary wooden structures were common as logging bridges, the Simpson Logging Company sought a permanent, durable structure. This led to the making of the High Steel Bridge in Mason County in 1929.
The south fork of the scenic Skokomish River has this bridge standing 375 feet above it, spanning a length of 685 feet.
While it originally played an essential role in logging operations in the Olympic Peninsula’s new areas, it was converted into a roadway in 1964 and continues to be used for logging.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.