Watch 100s of parachuters launch from the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge Bridge during the Bridge Day BASE jumping festival.
The event draws 80,000 spectators every 3rd Saturday in October. It’s usually illegal to BASE jump in National Parks, but Bridge Day is the 1 exception, so jumpers leap as many times as they can over the course of 6 hours.
“There are lots of great spots to watch the jumpers, but a lot of people like to just stand right on the bridge,” says Martha, a volunteer with the Bridge Day Commission.
There’s a full festival on top of the bridge, with local artisans, vendors and foods. The jumpers leap from a platform, and you can watch them soar to the bottom from the sidelines of the bridge. Or get the view from below with a shuttle to the spot near the landing zone at Fayette Station, or even on a whitewater boat trip with a local outfitter.
About 200 jumpers register every year.
If you aren’t interested in taking the big leap, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy all weekend. Stop by Bridge Jam in downtown Fayetteville for country, bluegrass and rock music both nights. For great food, try Taste of Bridge Day the evening before the event, or the downtown Chili and Cornbread Cook-Off right after the festival.
Learn more about Bridge Day