Waterville Bridge

Waterville Bridge crosses Swatara Creek with a lenticular truss design in steel, built by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company in 1890. The structure sits within Swatara State Park and remains open to foot traffic.

The bridge was originally built in Lycoming County but was moved to Swatara State Park in 1985 for preservation. This relocation led to its listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

The bridge serves hikers on the Appalachian Trail as a key crossing point between different sections of the trail. For many walkers, it marks an important landmark during their outdoor journeys.

The bridge remains open to pedestrians year-round and sits within a state park where standard visitor guidelines apply. Good footwear is wise, especially when arriving from the nearby Appalachian Trail.

The bridge displays a rare lenticular truss design from the 1800s that sets this crossing apart from others in the region. This engineering approach was a thoughtful response to the challenges of spanning the waterway.

Location: Pennsylvania

Architects: Berlin Iron Bridge Co.

GPS coordinates: 40.48028,-76.53194

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08