Bridge Day

Almost all units of the National Park System do not permit extreme sports such as BASE jumping – all units except for one, that is, and it’s only allowed on one special day: Bridge Day.

At New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia, one of the largest extreme sports events in the world is held one day annually in October from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County. For 2026, Bridge Day is October 17.

This festival commemorates the October 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. Closed to vehicles on this day, thousands of visitors and spectators walk across the longest, single-span steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere and take in the views from 876 feet (267 meters) up in the air. Not only do they walk, but they can zipline down, rappel down, and even BASE jump from this bridge. Of course, for two of these three extreme activities, you need some experience.

What is BASE jumping? BASE stands for Building, Antenna, Span, Earth -- the fixed objects from which these jumpers leap. While it only takes a few seconds to leap from bridge down to New River, you need more than a little experience to attempt this jump. Bridge Day organizers say you must have made 50 prior parachute jumps, skydives and/or BASE jumps to participate. You must also register and pay a $95 fee. The Bridge Day website provides a webpage specifically with BASE jumping FAQs.

If BASE jumping is not your thing, perhaps rappelling or high lining (ziplining) from top to bottom is more your style.

According to the Bridge Day website which currently still lists information for 2025 rappels and high lining:

The Bridge Day Rappel will consist of several teams who will be allowed to ascend and/or descend on a fixed rope from the catwalk beneath the New River Gorge Bridge on Bridge Day.

Bridge Day Rappel teams are chosen by a lottery drawing in June of each year. The rappel participant must be a seasoned rappeler with proper rack training who has successfully completed at least a 250’ rappel. They must be familiar with the skills, equipment, and rescue techniques associated with rappelling.

A group of individuals wishing to participate in the Bridge Day Rappel each year must choose a group leader who submits an application for their team in the lottery drawing. Each team must have all the necessary rappelling equipment. Individuals must have their own rappelling/ascending gear. For more information about Bridge Day Rappel, visit the Bridge Day Rappel site.

For those of you with no experience either BASE jumping or rappelling but who still want to feel the exhilarating thrill of descending quickly from a high vantage point, there’s the high line (zipline) where you can slide 700 feet on a zipline from the catwalk of the bridge to Fayette Station Road. This is an extremely popular activity so you must reserve your spot early. For more information, click on the Bridge Day Rappel site link, or call 304-575-0528.

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.