Bridge Day
West Virginia's largest one-day festival, celebrated on the third Saturday in October, commemorates the October 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. The first official Bridge Day was celebrated in 1980.
Join tens of thousands of visitors as you walk across the longest, single-span steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere, and take in the views from 876 feet up in the air.
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.
One of America's Top One Hundred Festivals
The 3,030-foot New River Gorge Bridge took three years to complete and cost nearly $37 million. Because of the chosen arch design, and the depth of the gorge, steel was moved into position by trolleys running on three inch diameter cables stretched between two 330-foot towers. More than 88 million pounds of steel are incorporated. Michael Baker Jr., Inc. was the design engineer company for the structure, which was built by the American Bridge Division of US Steel. Its cor-ten steel will never need painting. The span arches across the New River, among the oldest rivers in North America, considered to be America's best whitewater.
Take A Flying Leap
Jumpers will gladly accommodate that request on Bridge Day, their annual convention. BASE stands for building, antenna, span, earth -- the fixed objects from which these jumpers leap. Since it's only a few seconds from bridge rail to splash down, jumping requires a well-orchestrated team of water-safety, communications and emergency personnel.
Oh, What a Dangled Web
Beneath the bridge's unseen catwalk dangle expert rappellers who resemble so many spiders weaving a web. Our Bridge Day trolls practice well-honed skills with the breathtaking gorge as their backdrop.
These Boots Are Made For Walking
No skill required, no experience necessary. The bridge is open today only for your walking pleasure. Join the Hillbilly Hikers at the northernmost booth for an official VOLKSWALK. Two well-marked walks take you across the bridge into historic Fayetteville or deep into the gorge and back.
Great Entertainment
The historic Fayetteville Theater offers lively entertainment at 8 p.m. every weekend evening. Call the Chamber of Commerce visitor center for details.
Bridge Day Information
For more information about Bridge Day events, contact the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-927-0263. or visit PRO River Outfitters Website
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Great Hiking in the New River Gorge
The Endless Wall is one of the best "unknown" hiking destinations within the New River Gorge Nationial Gorge park. Long known to locals and rock climbers, this property was added to the park in May 1998, thanks to the willingness of trustees for the Nuttall Estate to sell this spectacular property to the NPS. This addition to the park protects significant natural and historical resources, and will provide visitors with abundant opportunities.
Great views of the New River, almost 1000 feet below, are abundant. You can often hear the voices of whitewater rafters as they experience the wild rapids of the lower New. This area also offers significant historical resources, being the site of the Nuttallburg Mine — the largest mine in the New River Coalfields in the late 1800s.
You might also get a glimpse of some of the thousands of rock climbers who visit the park to challenge themselves on the vertical sandstone walls that rim the gorge. Climbers come from all over the United States, and around the world, to select from the over 1600 climbing routes in the park. Visit our Climbing Page for more information.
Endless Wall Trail
The Endless Wall Trail is a 2.4 mile moderate walk that passes through rich forest, crosses Fern Creek, then zig-zags along the cliff edge. Many vistas can be seen along the trail. The overlook at Diamond Point provides a good turnaround spot, creating a popular two-mile out-and-back hike from Fern Creek parking area. If you continue to the end of the trail, you will need to walk for 0.5 miles back along the road to get to the starting point.
Please use caution when near cliff edges!
To reach the trailhead, turn off Route 19 on Lansing-Edmond Road, located just north of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Fern Creek Trailhead is located 1.3 miles (just before Fern Creek) down this road, while the Nuttall Trailhead is 1.8 miles from U.S. Route 19. This is a narrow road; please drive with caution.
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Great views of the New River, almost 1000 feet below, are abundant. You can often hear the voices of whitewater rafters as they experience the wild rapids of the lower New. This area also offers significant historical resources, being the site of the Nuttallburg Mine — the largest mine in the New River Coalfields in the late 1800s.
You might also get a glimpse of some of the thousands of rock climbers who visit the park to challenge themselves on the vertical sandstone walls that rim the gorge. Climbers come from all over the United States, and around the world, to select from the over 1600 climbing routes in the park. Visit our Climbing Page for more information.
Endless Wall Trail
The Endless Wall Trail is a 2.4 mile moderate walk that passes through rich forest, crosses Fern Creek, then zig-zags along the cliff edge. Many vistas can be seen along the trail. The overlook at Diamond Point provides a good turnaround spot, creating a popular two-mile out-and-back hike from Fern Creek parking area. If you continue to the end of the trail, you will need to walk for 0.5 miles back along the road to get to the starting point.
Please use caution when near cliff edges!
To reach the trailhead, turn off Route 19 on Lansing-Edmond Road, located just north of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Fern Creek Trailhead is located 1.3 miles (just before Fern Creek) down this road, while the Nuttall Trailhead is 1.8 miles from U.S. Route 19. This is a narrow road; please drive with caution.
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