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Chain of Rocks Bridge

Historic bridge
In St. Louis, Missouri
0.3 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

At the northern edge of St. Louis, MO, the Chain of Rocks Bridge reaches across the Mississippi. It lies less than a mile off the old road's main line, yet for a time Route 66 itself used it to cross the Mississippi. Built in 1929 and known for the sharp bend halfway across, it now carries only people on foot and on bikes, which makes it a calm place to walk a piece of the old route.

What is Chain of Rocks Bridge?

The bridge links the Missouri shore with Chouteau Island, which is part of Madison, Illinois. Its most striking feature is a 22-degree turn in the middle of the span. The builders needed it for two reasons: a water intake stood in the way, and parts of the riverbed rock could not support the bridge's weight.

Cars no longer use it. Vehicles now use a newer span a little to the north, named New Chain of Rocks Bridge, while the old bridge serves walking and biking trails.

History of Chain of Rocks Bridge

It opened to motor traffic in 1929, and for a period it was the path Route 66 took over the Mississippi. The old approach, now named Chain of Rocks Road, runs out near Roman Road. In 2006 the bridge gained a National Register of Historic Places listing.

Visiting Chain of Rocks Bridge: tips

Park at the start of the walking route and head out on foot; the bend is the obvious photo spot, with the river wide on both sides. Allow an hour or more if you plan to walk out and back. The crossing is wheelchair accessible and fine for children. Fuel, food and an electric vehicle charger are all within about a mile. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is about 3.5 miles away, the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site is about 4.9 miles off, and Jones-Confluence Point State Park, at the meeting of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, is about 5 miles away.

Practical info

Address: 10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137
Website: nps.gov/places/chain-of-rocks-bridge.htm
Hours: Daily 9 am–8:30 pm
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Chain of Rocks Bridge

All diners →

Diner & restaurant
Crown Candy Kitchen
St. Louis, MO · 7.6 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge
An old-fashioned soda fountain and candy shop in Old North St. Louis, known for handmade malts.
Diner & restaurant
Ted Drewes
St. Louis, MO · 13.8 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge
A family-run St. Louis frozen custard stand from 1929, known for concretes served upside down.

On the map

Full map

Chain of Rocks Bridge with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near Chain of Rocks Bridge

All of Missouri

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

St. Louis, Missouri · 3.0 mi from Route 66

Over 4,000 acres of river bottom where the Missouri meets the Mississippi, with miles of shoreline.

Ghost townPhoto credit

3.5 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge

Lewis and Clark State Historic Site

Hartford, Illinois · 2.6 mi from Route 66

The riverside spot where Lewis and Clark wintered before heading west, with a full-size keelboat.

MuseumPhoto credit

4.9 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge

Jones-Confluence Point State Park

West Alton, Missouri · 3.5 mi from Route 66

A wild floodplain park where the Missouri River pours into the Mississippi.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

5.0 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge

Bissell Street Water Tower

St. Louis, Missouri · 2.1 mi from Route 66

A historic 1886 standpipe known as the New Red, one of three old water towers left in St. Louis.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

6.4 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge

Grand Avenue Water Tower

St. Louis, Missouri · 2.3 mi from Route 66

The oldest water tower still standing in St. Louis, a standpipe designed by George I. Barnett.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

6.5 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge

Horseshoe Lake State Park

Madison, Illinois · 5.0 mi from Route 66

A huge natural lake shaped like a horseshoe, with bike trails that reach the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

6.8 mi from Chain of Rocks Bridge

Questions about Chain of Rocks Bridge

Can you drive across the Chain of Rocks Bridge?

No. It is open only to people walking and cycling. Cars cross on the newer bridge to the north.

Why does the bridge bend?

A water intake was in the way, and parts of the riverbed rock could not hold the bridge's weight, so a 22-degree turn was built into the middle.

Was it part of Route 66?

Yes. For a time Route 66 used this bridge to cross the Mississippi between Illinois and Missouri.

Own or run Chain of Rocks Bridge? Send us a photo or a correction.

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