Columbus Junction Swinging Bridge Hike

In Columbus Junction, Iowa, you can walk along a swinging bridge that is 262 feet above a dark ravine shrouded in a jungle-like forest.

This was a roadside stop we made on a trip to visit family in Iowa City from St. Louis.

The bridge is also known as Lover’s Leap Swinging Bridge based on a tale that a woman who leaped to her death after the loss of her lover killed in battle.

Overview

It is a short walk from the parking lot to the Swinging Bridge and back.

If you want to explore the area more like we did, it is a longer walk with more elevation gain to go deep into the ravine and then back to the parking lot by taking a trail on the other side of the Swinging Bridge.

History of the bridge — *History of the Bridge*

Bridge History

This bridge is the last of a series of swinging bridges that help people from the far side of town cross a ravine connecting them to downtown. Built in 1886 was the first one at this location. Constructed in 1922 is the current 262-foot cable bridge with wooden planks.

Blue sign points to the bridge and parking. — *Blue sign points to the bridge and parking from the main highway through town.*

Pulling into the Lot

A small blue sign saying Swinging Bridge points to the right when you enter Columbus Junction.

You park in a gravel lot fronted by a small garden with a wooden white trellis with a brick patio and flowers.

A sign points to the paved path to the bridge. The arrow to the right is for the natural surface of Possum Hollow Trail that would we took back from the bridge.

The sign gives the timeline and you can learn about the Native American legend. — *The sign gives the timeline and you can learn more about its history.*

Entrance Sign

Near the bridge’s entrance is a sign that gives a timeline of the bridge and the legend.

Did a lovesick Indian maiden leap to her death? The trees know and they won’t tell.

Swinging bridge-- main blog photo has my son out on it with me. — *Swinging bridge– main blog photo has my son out on it with me.*

On the Bridge

We head across the swinging bridge. It is well-made and only swings if you play around on it. Way below is the trail that we returned to the trailhead on.

People have left Love Locks, a fad that has spread to everywhere and we saw many of them on bridges in Europe.

The Other Side of the Bridge

After crossing the bridge we enter a garden area.

We find a dark metal butterfly on a flower.

We come across three yellow flowering plants along with a metal tree.

Then to the right was the sign for the natural surface Possum Hollow Trail that goes way down into the ravine.

We head down this trail. Surrounded by tall narrow trees.

Next, we crossed a short wooden bridge

Then we cross a longer wooden bridge with metal railings that the swinging bridge crosses high above.

The swinging bridge looks even more amazing from the bottom looking up at it.

My son found a broken mushroom and then more on the ground nearby.

Now we go up the short log steps that lead up to the trailhead.

I come across another sign by the parking area that explains a Welsh connection to the area.

Final Thoughts

If you are in the Iowa City area and want to check out a swinging bridge then this is a stop to make. I liked the fact that you could take a trail to the bottom of the ravine to see the swinging bridge from below

DETAILS

Drive: From St. Louis take U.S. 61 north. In Wayland keep going straight ahead onto Highway 27 which becomes U.S. 218. In Iowa make a right onto Iowa Highway 92 and look for gravel parking on the right after entering Columbus Junction and before Second Street. It is about a four-hour drive from St. Louis. If you are in Iowa City go south on U.S. Highway 218 and then make a left onto Iowa 92 and again look for parking on the right.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: 303 Oak St, Columbus Junction, IA 52738