Bridge Day FAQ

Bridge Day was first celebrated in 1980, to commemorate the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. Since that time, the annual festival has grown to include parachutists jumping from the Bridge to the river below, rappellers dangling from ropes under the bridge, over 200 vendors selling food and arts and crafts, and fantastic entertainment. All of this combined with the spectacular Fall foliage of the New River Gorge and the sheer size of the crowd of over 200,000 makes for an unforgettable experience.

Bridge Day is observed on the third Saturday in October, a date not simply chosen at random. This is the time of year when the fall colors of the New River Gorge are typically at their peak. In 2004, Bridge Day will be observed on October 16, 2004.

The Bridge Day celebration takes part on the New River Gorge Bridge, on U.S. Route 19, near Fayetteville, West Virginia. You will find complete driving directions to Fayetteville, WV on our Directions to Bridge Day page.

Typically, about 300 BASE jumpers will leap off the New River Gorge Bridge during Bridge Day, the only day that jumping from the bridge is permitted.

See our BASE Jumping Page for more information!

Most likely they will have reached their height of color. This date was not chosen randomly as the date for Bridge Day. This is the time of year when the fall colors of the New River Gorge are typically at their peak.

Park in Fayetteville! You cannot get any closer to the New River Gorge Bridge (0.8 mi.) than via the shuttle bus. (See the next question.)

Yes. Throughout the day, buses will run in a circuit from Comfort Inn and Fayetteville High School on Laurel Creek Road and from in front of the Courthouse and the town park in Fayetteville, to the vendor area for $1.00. You cannot get any closer to the New River Gorge Bridge (0.8 mi.) than via the bus. Handicapped parking is available near the South and North ends of the bridge and near Keller Avenue. Route 82 is closed to vehicles on Bridge Day.

Yes. Throughout the day, buses will run in a circuit from Comfort Inn and Fayetteville High School on Laurel Creek Road and from in front of the Courthouse and the town park in Fayetteville, to the vendor area for $1.00. You cannot get any closer to the New River Gorge Bridge (0.8 mi.) than via the bus. Handicapped parking is available near the South and North ends of the bridge and near Keller Avenue. Route 82 is closed to vehicles on Bridge Day.

Dogs, other than those assisting the handicapped, are not allowed in the vendor areas or on the New River Gorge Bridge.

Skateboards and bicycles are not allowed in the vendor areas or on the New River Gorge Bridge. Due to the large volume of people trying to see vendor booths and the activities on the bridge, please understand that it will be difficult to maneuver any wheeled assistance devices through these areas. If you need to bring a stroller or a wheelchair, we hope that you will be tolerant of the crowds.

Plenty! See our Other Things to Do and See page for some ideas!