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About Bridge Day

We’re thrilled to invite you join us under the New River Gorge Bridge on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for the annual Bridge Day Celebration!
Here are a few important things to know before you arrive:
🚗 Parking & Arrival Info
Bridge Day Bridge Walk check-in is not located at our base camp, but on the North Side of the bridge. We highly recommend finalizing your driving and parking plans ahead of time to ensure a smooth arrival. Do not hesitate to call our office with any questions about how/where to find us ahead of time!!
🚌 Shuttle Service
Shuttles will be running from both the South and North sides of the bridge. You can find detailed shuttle information here.
🕒 Arrival Time:
Please arrive at the Bridge Walk check-in tent at least 15 minutes before your scheduled trip.
  • Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
  • Reservations will not be held, adjusted, or refunded if you’re late.
📝 Waivers
All participants MUST sign waivers in advance.
  • Paper waivers are not accepted at check-in.

  • Be sure to complete your waiver online before arriving.

🎒 Bag Policy:
Please refer to the official Bridge Day bag policy.
  • No bags of any kind are allowed under the bridge, in accordance with National Park Service (NPS) rules.
  • Totes will be available to store your personal items while you’re on the catwalk.
👟 What to Wear
Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Layers are recommended, as temperatures can vary throughout the day.

What is Bridge Day?

  1. Bridge Day, Saturday, October 17, 2026, is an annual one-day event held on the third Saturday every October to commemorate the 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge.
  2. Organizers went back 100 years to get the best foliage day and weather day.
  3. US Route 19 is closed from 7 am until 5 pm on Bridge Day.
  4. Bridge Day is West Virginia’s largest one day festival and one of the top 100 festivals in the US.
  5. The first New River Gorge Bridge Day was held on November 8, 1980. There were two parachutists who jumped from a plane onto the bridge and then five parachutists jumped from the Bridge. 5,500 certificates were given out to people taking the 3,000-foot walk across the Bridge.
  6. Bridge Day is the ultimate celebration of adventure! Each year, BASE jumpers, rappellers, highline enthusiasts, and an incredible lineup of vendors gather on the deck of the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.
    While bungee jumping was featured during Bridge Day in 1993 and 1995, it was discontinued after safety concerns during a mass jump in 1995. Today, BASE jumping has become the star attraction—thrilling for participants and unforgettable for spectators!
  7. Since 9/11, the Bridge Day rappelling community has performed a raising and lowering of our flags. Before 9 am, two rappelers ascend a rope with both the United States of America and West Virginia flags. After 3 pm as the last BASE jumper leaves the Bridge two rappelers rappel down with the flags.
  8. Bridge Day is coordinated by the New River Gorge Bridge Day Commission, and is sponsored by numerous organizations of local, state, and national significance.
  9. All four lanes of the bridge are closed on Bridge Day, and the east side is open to pedestrians.
  10. The 1st Bridge Day was called Bridge Walk!
  11. The website for Bridge Day is www.officialbridgeday.com.
Visit the Official Bridge Day Website

Bridge Day Bridge Walk

Celebrate West Virginia’s Bridge Day with a wonderful walk along the catwalk of the New River Gorge Bridge. Watch the BASE jumpers from the middle of the Bridge!

Experience Bridge Day like never before! The Bridge Day High Line gives anyone the chance to become part of the action. First introduced in 1994, this thrilling ride has become a fan favorite.

Your journey starts on the bridge’s catwalk and ends at Fayette Station Road. You’ll descend 300 vertical feet while sliding 600–700 feet, all at a controlled speed thanks to your belayer.

Ready to ride? Visit bridgedayrappel.com for details and to register for the 2026 Bridge Day High Line

Rappel

Experience the thrill of rappelling from one of America’s most iconic landmarks! Bridge Day rappel teams descend between 700 and 851 feet, depending on their anchor point along the New River Gorge Bridge catwalk.

This adventure requires proper equipment, training, and experience—and it’s open to a wide range of participants, from teens to seasoned adventurers. In fact, past rappelers have ranged in age from 14 to 81!

Want to learn more about signing your team up for Bridge Day Rappel? Visit bridgedayrappel.com for details.

High Line and Rappel Registration Website