Bridge Day

Bridge Day is an annual festival held in Fayetteville, West Virginia, on the third Saturday in October, where the New River Gorge Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic and opened to pedestrians, while daredevils base jump, rappel, and perform other stunts over the gorge. In 2025, Bridge Day will take place on October 18.

History of Bridge Day

The festival traces its roots to 1980, when the first Bridge Day was held: organizers closed the bridge to cars and permitted people to walk across it, and parachutists performed jumps from the structure. The New River Gorge Bridge itself was completed in 1977, and Bridge Day was later established to commemorate the bridge and to promote tourism and adventurous activities in the region. Over the decades, Bridge Day has grown significantly, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and participants who gather to witness extreme sports, festival activities, and community celebration.

Notably, Bridge Day is one of the few occasions each year when BASE jumping is permitted from the bridge into the New River Gorge—a privilege that is otherwise generally prohibited in U.S. national park spaces.

Why Bridge Day matters

Bridge Day is more than just thrill‑seeking. It brings together community, tourism, and local culture in one day: for Fayette County and the surrounding region, it is one of the biggest draws of the year, injecting economic activity, spotlighting local artisans, vendors, and outdoor recreation. For participants and spectators alike, Bridge Day offers a rare spectacle—a chance to walk on a towering bridge, peer over an immense gorge, watch bungee‑style stunts (in the past), and see BASE jumpers descend from nearly 876 feet down.

The event also draws attention to aspects of safety, engineering, and human daring. It highlights how engineered structures (like the bridge) interact with nature (the gorge below) and how people test the boundaries of what is possible under strict safety measures. It’s a blend of awe, respect, risk, and spectacle—all in one day.

Here are some reasons the event is significant:

• It boosts regional tourism and brings economic benefit
• It offers a unique public experience of walking across a major bridge
• It showcases extreme sports like BASE jumping and rappelling
• It fosters local pride and community collaboration
• It gives people a chance to see engineering and nature side by side

How to Celebrate or Observe Bridge Day

If you’re nearby (or planning a visit), attending Bridge Day in person is a memorable experience. You can walk across the bridge (on the days cars are off), watch BASE jumpers leap off the edge, partake in rappelling or highline events (if registered), and explore the vendor markets, food stalls, and local music. Many events also offer guided bridge walks (on the catwalk) and “Into the Gorge” excursions where spectators can view stunts from below.

When going, plan for the crowd, arrive early, and check shuttle schedules and ticketing for specific events. Bring comfortable shoes, weather‑appropriate clothing, camera or binoculars, and a sense of adventure. Even if you’re not participating in extreme sports, simply being part of the crowd, soaking in the atmosphere, and witnessing the ingenuity and courage of the performers can make for a rich, memorable day.

Here are some ideas:

• Attend in person and walk across the bridge
• Watch BASE jumps and rappels
• Join guided bridge walk tours
• Visit vendor booths and local crafts
• Take the “Into the Gorge” shuttle for ground‑level views

Bridge Day Dates Table