Historic Swinging Bridge + River Pathway

The Basalt Swinging Bridge spans the Fryingpan River near the historic downtown area, and also provides access to a lovely (albeit short) pathway alongside the river.

A bridge was first constructed across the Fryingpan here in 1880, before the existence of the town of Basalt. The bridge was originally a wooden, one lane wagon bridge. It was condemned for wagon use in 1926 and converted into a footbridge.

Frequent high floodwaters washed out the bridge and it was replaced with a swinging bridge in 1949-50. It was upgraded one last time in 2001 with aircraft grade steel cables.

Today visitors and locals alike can enjoy crossing the river via the swinging bridge, and walking the lovely riverside pathway to enjoy the waters of the Fryingpan.