Bridge Day 2024 in West Virginia

The largest and most spectacular one-day event in West Virginia

Dates: October 19, 2024

Every fall, thousands of adrenaline-seekers gather near Fayetteville, Fayette County, West Virginia, for Bridge Day. The one-day festival is annually held on the third Saturday of October and is dedicated to the New River Gorge Bridge completion in Fayetteville in 1977. About 100,000 attendees visit the competitions and festivities on the bridge that is closed to traffic on this day.

Bridge Day Activities

The annual Bridge Day is always a spectacular show, as over 400 BASE jumpers leap over 800 feet (243 km) into the gorge. Bridge Day is the only day of the year when BASE jumps off the bridge are allowed. Participants are also permitted to rappel off the bottom of the bridge. Adrenaline seekers can also experience an exhilarating zip-line ride, 700 feet (213 km) long. This particular activity doesn't require extensive experience, but you need to reserve the spot early. BASE jumping and rappel also require prior registration.

Schedule & Rules

You can only perform BASE jumping at the New River Gorge Bridge if you completed 50 jumps or skydives before. For first-time jumpers, there are several BASE training courses. Participants also need to check in on Friday, October 18, at the Oak Hill Holiday Lodge by 5 pm. Bridge Day begins at 9 am on October 19 and lasts until 3 pm. At 8 pm, you have a chance to experience an after-party.

Tickets & Cost

Base Jumper tickets cost $95, while Individual Rappel tickets cost $175. High-line passes cost $190. If you're on the rappel team and are tasked to monitor the bottom of the rappel, you must also purchase an Individual Bottom pass, which costs $115.

New River Gorge Bridge

The New River Gorge Bridge is 924 m (3030 ft) long, 267 m (876 ft) high, and 21 m (70 ft) wide. Its construction in the 1960s required 88 million lb (about 40,000 tonnes) of steel and cement. Since its opening, the bridge has become a symbol of West Virginia and a favorite spot for many extreme sports enthusiasts.

Deaths & Injuries During Bridge Day

Bungee jumping from the bridge was banned in 1993 after a few injuries. Sadly, this dangerous activity doesn't always end well. There have been three casualties involving BASE jumpers on the bridge—in 1983, 1987, and 2006. A wingsuit incident took place in 2011, during which a parachute failed, and the jumper fell into the river but survived, suffering extensive injuries.