America’s Longest Bridges You Can Walk Across

Across the United States, pedestrian bridges are becoming major attractions. These elevated walkways are often built on former rail lines, suspended over deep river gorges, or designed alongside massive highway bridges to give pedestrians safe access to dramatic views. They serve practical purposes but also invite travelers to see the surrounding landscape from a new perspective.

Some of the longest pedestrian bridges in the country stretch more than a mile, offering sweeping views of mountains, canyons, and coastlines. Others are modern marvels built into urban infrastructure, connecting neighborhoods and riverfronts in cities across the country. A few sit high above valleys once crossed only by trains, now reimagined as scenic trails in public parks and protected lands.

These seven bridges stand out for their size, setting, and the experience they offer. Each one combines access with adventure, turning a simple walk into something unforgettable.

Walkway Over the Hudson

• Location: Poughkeepsie, New York

• Length: 6,768 feet (1.28 miles)

• Opened: 1889 (rail bridge), reopened as pedestrian bridge in 2009

• Type: Former railroad bridge turned pedestrian walkway

Stretching high above the Hudson River, the Walkway Over the Hudson is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Spanning 1.28 miles, this steel structure connects the city of Poughkeepsie to the town of Highland, offering uninterrupted views of the Hudson Valley and the distant Catskill Mountains. Originally built in 1889 as a vital railroad link for freight trains, the bridge was closed after a fire in 1974 and sat unused for decades. It reopened in 2009 after an ambitious restoration project transformed it into a pedestrian promenade.

Today, it draws more than half a million visitors each year. The walkway’s flat, paved surface is ideal for walkers, runners, cyclists, and families, making it one of the most accessible elevated trails in the country. Interpretive panels provide context on the bridge’s industrial heritage, the natural ecosystem of the river below, and the towns on either side.

Fall is especially popular, when the surrounding hills blaze with color, but the bridge is open year-round and offers a different kind of beauty with each season. With no entrance fee and panoramic views in every direction, it has become both a regional landmark and a model for pedestrian bridge reuse.

Big Four Bridge

• Location: Louisville, Kentucky to Jeffersonville, Indiana

• Length: 5,385 feet (1.02 miles)

• Opened: 1895 (rail bridge), reopened as pedestrian bridge in 2013

• Type: Former railroad truss bridge

Connecting Kentucky and Indiana across the Ohio River, the Big Four Bridge is a favorite for both locals and visitors. Once a railroad bridge, it sat unused for decades before being transformed into a pedestrian and cycling bridge. Its name comes from the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway; known as the "Big Four."

The bridge is especially vibrant at night when it lights up in a kaleidoscope of colors. You'll find food trucks, music, and plenty of photo ops on both ends of the bridge. It's a perfect example of historic infrastructure being reimagined for modern enjoyment.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

• Location: Omaha, Nebraska to Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Length: 3,000 feet
• Opened: 2008
• Type: Cable-stayed pedestrian and bicycle bridge

The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge elegantly arcs over the Missouri River, linking Omaha, Nebraska with Council Bluffs, Iowa. This modern cable-stayed structure is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the United States that connects two states. Opened in 2008, the bridge stretches for nearly 0.6 miles and has become a celebrated civic landmark in both cities.

Its design is eye-catching, with a sweeping curve and two towering pylons that anchor the cables. At night, the bridge is beautifully lit, drawing both locals and tourists for evening strolls and photo ops. Markers along the walkway point out the precise spot where the state line crosses, offering visitors the chance to stand in both Nebraska and Iowa at once.

The bridge connects to extensive trail systems on both sides of the river, making it ideal for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Its elevation offers panoramic views of the downtown Omaha skyline, the riverfront parks, and the Missouri River. Events like yoga sessions and community walks are regularly hosted on the bridge, reinforcing its role as a vibrant public space.

Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy

• Location: Greenville, South Carolina

• Length: 345 feet

• Opened: 2004

• Type: Curved suspension bridge

While shorter than some of the others on this list, Liberty Bridge earns its place with its dramatic design and setting. It’s the only bridge of its kind in the US, featuring a sweeping curve and single suspension cable system.

Spanning the Reedy River in the heart of Greenville’s Falls Park, the bridge offers front-row views of cascading waterfalls and manicured gardens. Its cable supports are anchored only on one side, creating the feeling of walking on air. This architectural marvel has helped transform downtown Greenville into one of the South’s top pedestrian-friendly cities.

SkyBridge

• Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

• Length: 680 feet

• Opened: 2019

• Type: Suspension bridge

Perched high above the Smoky Mountains, the Gatlinburg SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America. It’s not for the faint of heart. The bridge sways slightly as visitors cross, and a section of glass flooring in the middle adds to the thrill.

The SkyBridge is part of SkyPark, which requires a chairlift ride to reach the top. Once there, the views are stunning, especially on clear days when you can see for miles in all directions. It's a newer addition to the list but already one of the most iconic pedestrian bridges in the country.

New River Gorge Bridge (Bridge Walk)

• Location: Fayetteville, West Virginia

• Length: 3,030 feet (bridge), 2,600-foot catwalk tour

• Opened: 1977 (Bridge Walk since 2010)

• Type: Steel arch bridge with pedestrian catwalk tour

Although the New River Gorge Bridge was not originally built for pedestrians, it now offers one of the most exhilarating walking experiences in the country. The Bridge Walk allows visitors to traverse a catwalk beneath the bridge deck, suspended 851 feet above the New River.

The guided walk includes harnesses and safety gear, and while it's not technically a pedestrian bridge in the traditional sense, it's a walkable experience across one of America’s longest and highest spans. The view of the gorge, river, and lush forests is unmatched. It’s also a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Chain of Rocks Bridge

• Location: St. Louis, Missouri to Madison, Illinois

• Length: 5,353 feet (just over 1 mile)

• Opened: 1929 (closed to traffic in 1968, reopened to pedestrians)

• Type: Cantilever bridge

Spanning the Mississippi River, the Chain of Rocks Bridge is one of the few pedestrian crossings of the legendary waterway. What makes it even more unusual is its 22-degree bend in the middle, engineered to allow boat traffic to navigate a treacherous section of the river.

Once part of the iconic Route 66, the bridge is now a haven for walkers and cyclists. Interpretive signs celebrate its place in American road trip culture. The rusting steel and creaking boards add a ghostly charm, making it a favorite for photographers and history buffs.

Longest Pedestrian Bridges in the US

*Originally opened for vehicles, now pedestrian-only.