Did you know Washington has a bridge to nowhere? Of course, this wasn’t always the case — the Vance Creek Bridge was once and important part of our local logging industry. It eventually became a short hike destination and a hot spot for photographers, but since it’s on private property, there’s not much happening there these days.

The Vance Creek Bridge was originally constructed in 1929 to help the logging industry in Mason County.

Catrina Juday / alltrails.com What’s left of the bridge is located in Shelton, and it’s easy to find… but it’s on private property, so you may want to admire it from afar.

The bridge has a few bragging rights: It’s the second highest railway arch bridge ever built in the United States, with a height of 347 feet.

Jonathan Miguel / alltrails.com It was originally constructed by the Simpson Logging Company and utilized for decades before being abandoned.

By 2013, the abandoned Vance Creek Bridge had become a viral tourist destination.

Jordan Meeter / Flickr The bridge appeared all over social media platforms as tourists taking selfies and sitting on the bridge with their legs dangling over the side.

But, while the trail to the bridge is perfectly safe, being ON the bridge is not. It’s no longer structurally sound.

Billy Savanh / Flickr Authorities started cracking down, giving out No Trespassing tickets and even placing barbed wire around the north side.

Over the last couple of years, there have been rumors that Green Diamond Resource Company, the owners of the bridge, were secretly slowly dismantling it.

Scott Emmett / alltrails.com Green Diamond has denied this, but the company has put out many official statements asking people to stay off the bridge.

We cannot stress this enough: Should you decide to check out this piece of local history, please stay off the bridge.

Scott Emmett / alltrails.com There is a short 1.4-mile hike near Hoodsport that will lead you to it, should you want to take some photos and see it for yourself.

So, what does the future hold for Washington’s bridge to nowhere?

Rikki Rivera / Flickr Unfortunately, that isn’t clear. But hopefully, this important piece of history can be preserved.

Have you ever heard of the Vance Creek Bridge? If you’d rather see some that are more accessible, check out these covered bridges.

Catrina Juday / alltrails.com

What’s left of the bridge is located in Shelton, and it’s easy to find… but it’s on private property, so you may want to admire it from afar.

Jonathan Miguel / alltrails.com

It was originally constructed by the Simpson Logging Company and utilized for decades before being abandoned.

Jordan Meeter / Flickr

The bridge appeared all over social media platforms as tourists taking selfies and sitting on the bridge with their legs dangling over the side.

Billy Savanh / Flickr

Authorities started cracking down, giving out No Trespassing tickets and even placing barbed wire around the north side.

Scott Emmett / alltrails.com

Green Diamond has denied this, but the company has put out many official statements asking people to stay off the bridge.

There is a short 1.4-mile hike near Hoodsport that will lead you to it, should you want to take some photos and see it for yourself.

Rikki Rivera / Flickr

Unfortunately, that isn’t clear. But hopefully, this important piece of history can be preserved.

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Address: Vance Creek Bridge, Vance Creek Viaduct Trail, Shelton, WA 98584, USA