Eight historic covered bridges remain in Preble County. You can explore them by car while taking in farmland, meadows, rolling hills, and valleys. The county’s bridge-building history goes further back than the surviving bridges alone might suggest: a total of 29 covered bridges were built in the county between 1829 and 1896.
Bridges with Different Stories
The Roberts Covered Bridge is Ohio’s oldest surviving covered bridge. It is also the oldest covered bridge in the United States with two lanes for vehicles. The Brubaker Covered Bridge brings together its year of construction and a later modification: it was built in 1887, is 88 feet long, and its sides were opened to give drivers a better view. The Christman Covered Bridge was built over Seven Mile Creek in 1895. It was named after local landowner Solomon Christman.
Another bridge combines specific dimensions with its waterside location: the Hueston Woods Covered Bridge spans Four Mile Creek in Hueston Woods State Park for a length of 108 feet. It has covered walkways for pedestrian traffic. The park lies in both Butler County and Preble County and surrounds 625-acre Acton Lake. Hiking, fishing, and canoeing are among the activities available there.
Trails, Wetlands, and Outdoor Activities
The grounds of the Preble County Historical Society have seven walking trails alongside several historic buildings, including an original 1860s farmhouse, an 1813 log cabin, a bank barn, and an 1855 smokehouse. The outdoor grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset; check the latest visitor information before your trip.
At the Allen & Adaline Garber Nature Center, walking trails meet the Sandpiper Wetland. Tours of the farmhouse are available by prior reservation. Devils Backbone offers walking trails, creekside activities, and fossil hunting. These different offerings give you various ways to enjoy the outdoors, without requiring them to be part of a single outing.
The Rush Run Wildlife Area covers 1,174 acres and offers public hunting and fishing opportunities. Its landscape includes steep slopes in the valley of Rush Run Creek. The Woodland Trails Wildlife Area is a state wildlife area managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. For another kind of recreational activity, there is G & J Kartway: it is a WKA Master track and began in 1958 as a 1/7-mile dirt track. It was paved in 1962.
Local Experiences and Seasonal Events
At Preble Arts, you can try “Paint Your Own Pottery”; staff can help you choose glaze colors. For regional events, Camden’s Black Walnut Festival is an annual fixture: it takes place on the third weekend in October and features more than 120 vendors. The number of vendors may vary each year. Check the schedule for the relevant year before your trip.
The Eaton Early Bird Farmers Market offers fresh produce and baked goods; seasonal details may change. Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery offers more than 20 carefully crafted wines and has a tasting room. Together with the historic bridges, natural areas, and activities on the water and trails, these give you a variety of themes to shape your explorations in Preble County.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
Preble County is located on Interstate 70 and offers access to Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Richmond. The road connections make it a practical starting point for planning your visit to the county and its many attractions.
Discover more destinations: New Paris, West Alexandria, Eaton, Columbiana County, Logan, Licking, Hardin County, Belmont County.
See the overall travel guide: Ohio.
