Reed City Covered Bridge

Reed City Covered Bridge

Spans: Hersey River
Built: 2000

The Covered Bridge of Reed City is an attractive addition to the White Pines Trail Linear State Park, which extends from Grand Rapids to Cadillac. The Bridge is at the northern end of the paved portion of the White Pines Trail between Big Rapids and Reed City. The Bridge is a quarter mile from the Crossroads, the intersection of the White Pines Trail and the Pere Marquette Trail. The Pere Marquette Trail runs from Clare to Baldwin and is paved from Reed City to Hersey. The Bridge is linked by city trails to other Reed City parks.

The Covered Bridge of Reed City is the newest of West Michigan’s covered bridges. The City of Reed City used funds from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Osceola County Community Foundation and a donation from the Bill Porteous family to convert a railroad trestle into the Covered Bridge.

The trestle was part of the right-of-way of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad that reached Reed City in 1870. The trestle itself was built in the 1950’s. When it was abandoned in the 1980’s it was part of the Penn Railroad. The porcelain "Reed City" sign mounted on the Covered Bridge had originally been on the depot. The sign was saved for posterity when the depot was torn down in the 1970’s.

The Covered Bridge of Reed City is a quarter mile from the "Crossroads" of the trails. The railroad tracks (a diamond formation) of the intersection of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad (Penn RR) and the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad (CSX RR) were saved when the railroads were abandoned. They were installed at the crossroads of the two trails in 1998.

The White Pines Trails is 92 miles in length. It is operated by the parks division of the Department of Natural Resources. As a state park passes are required. Day passes for $2/individual or $5/family are available. The Pere Marquette Trail is operated by the forestry division of the Department of Natural Resources. At this time passes are not required.

Directions: The Covered Bridge is easily accessible from U.S. 131 and U.S. 10 (which intersect at Reed City). Travelers on 131 should take Exit 153 and go east on U.S. 10. At the four-way-stop sign (Welcome to Reed City sign) turn toward Reed City. About ¼ mile form the corner the Covered Bridge will be on the left hand side of the road.

For more information, contact:
Osceola County Parks: 231-832-6149
Reed City Chamber of Commerce: 231-832-5431
Michigan State Parks: 800-44-PARKS
West Michigan Tourist Association
800-442-2084 or info@wmta.org

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