• New River flowing through the gorge

    New River Gorge

    National River West Virginia

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Bridge Day

BASE jumper over the river
 

West Virginia's largest one-day festival, celebrated on the third Saturday in October, commemorates the October 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. The first official Bridge Day was celebrated in 1980.

Join tens of thousands of visitors as you walk across the longest, single-span steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere, and take in the views from 876 feet up in the air.

NOTE: Pets, bicycles, carts, and strollers are not permitted on the bridge during Bridge Day. Coolers, packages, and large packs or satchels will not be permitted on the bridge for security reasons.

One of America's Top One Hundred Festivals
The 3,030-foot New River Gorge Bridge took three years to complete and cost nearly $37 million. Because of the chosen arch design, and the depth of the gorge, steel was moved into position by trolleys running on three inch diameter cables stretched between two 330-foot towers. More than 88 million pounds of steel are incorporated. Michael Baker Jr., Inc. was the design engineer company for the structure, which was built by the American Bridge Division of US Steel. Its cor-ten steel will never need painting. The span arches across the New River, among the oldest rivers in North America, considered to be America's best whitewater.

Take A Flying Leap
Jumpers will gladly accommodate that request on Bridge Day, their annual convention. BASE stands for building, antenna, span, earth -- the fixed objects from which these jumpers leap. Since it's only a few seconds from bridge rail to splash down, jumping requires a well-orchestrated team of water-safety, communications and emergency personnel.

Oh, What a Dangled Web
Beneath the bridge's unseen catwalk dangle expert rappellers who resemble so many spiders weaving a web. Our Bridge Day trolls practice well-honed skills with the breathtaking gorge as their backdrop.

Bridge Day Information
For more information about Bridge Day events, contact the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-927-0263.

 
BASE jumper on the way down

Bridge Day Photo Gallery: Check out a collection of Bridge Day photos.

Did You Know?

View of New River at McCreery, WV

The New River was designated an American Heritage River on July 30, 1998. There are currently fourteen American Heritage Rivers in the country.