Swinging Bridge, Minnesota, Suspension footbridge at Twin Lakes, Minnesota.
The Swinging Bridge is a suspension bridge made of stone pillars and steel cables that spans the St. Louis River and accommodates pedestrians and cyclists. The structure features a footway suspended between sturdy supports that allow visitors to cross above the water.
Construction began in 1924 by the Forest Service as part of the park's infrastructure development. Major water events over the decades required significant repairs to keep the structure standing and safe for crossings.
The bridge draws locals who regularly walk or cycle across it as part of their daily routes through the park. It serves as a social gathering point where people from the surrounding area experience the river and forest together.
The bridge is open year-round for walkers and cyclists accessible from the nearby Jay Cooke State Park. Check weather conditions before visiting, as river conditions and surrounding terrain can affect safe crossing and trail use.
In the 1950s the bridge was substantially reinforced and raised to make it more resistant to river floods. These changes show how engineers adapted the structure to withstand nature's forces over time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
