• SPONSORSHIP

    Be a part of Bridge Day 2012! Learn more about sponsorship.

  • VENDOR INFORMATION

    Visit our vendor page to learn how to make your products available to thousands of Bridge Day visitors.

  • PARKING

    Shuttle information, parking locations and download a parking map

  • NEED TO KNOW

    Have a great Bridge Day. Please read be sure to read the event rules.Important Info

Bookmark and Share

Posts Tagged ‘adventure vacations’

Top 5 Spring ‘Must-Dos’ Around the New River Gorge Bridge

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

Spring weather has arrived with a rush this year. Ramps, morel mushrooms, and budding trees and flowers are all a few weeks earlier than normal. This means folks are already getting out and enjoying all the activities the New River Gorge has to offer.

Rafting is one obvious must-do adventure for visitors. But there are also other must-do activities that you might not know about (but should try to fit in your visit to the Bridge area).

Here’s our list of the top 5 musts for spring in New River Gorge Bridge country.

1. Drive the Gorge

Take a trip down old State Rt. 82 from the north side to the south. You can start at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and take advantage of the overlooks and the interpretive center there. Once traveling through the Gorge, there are great spots to get pictures of the Bridge. Be sure to stop at the bottom and watch rafts run Fayette Station rapid. There’s also a pull-off on the south side with a bridge over Wolf Creek and a hiking trail to the old Kaymoor Mines, if you want to stretch your legs.

2. Swirl Ice Cream Parlor

Located in downtown Fayetteville, this ice cream shop has lots of toys and goodies for kids you probably haven’t seen in years. Retro trinkets and toys are on display and available for purchase here. And oh yeah, they have great hand-dipped ice cream too.

3. Take flight in a WWII Biplane

Wild Blue Adventure Company Biplane

Wild Blue Adventure Company offers biplane rides over the Gorge in an authentic WWII Biplane. With an open cockpit, you’ll have great views of the Gorge from Thurmond to Fayetteville. Make sure you hang on. It’s a wild ride.

4. Long Point Trail

Just a couple of miles outside of Fayetteville, this 3.2 mile round trip hike will give you a wonderful view of the New River and the Bridge. If you’re looking for more hiking there, are also trails that branch off the main trail that can take you to Fayetteville, Fayette Station Road or the Kaymoor mines. This trail is a local favorite, so you know it’s worth the hike.

5. New River Jet Boats

Docked on the New River just below Hawks Nest State Park Lodge, this is another fun and interesting way to enjoy the river and see the Bridge. You can access the Jet Boat dock area by either riding the tram from Hawks Nest Lodge to the river or driving down Mill Creek out of Ansted. Either way, the trip on Miss M. Rocks is a great way to enjoy a little time on the New River and a wonderful view of the Bridge. This is an especially great option for those who aren’t able to raft the New River.

So this spring (or on your next visit to the Gorge), try one of these unique activities.

What are your ‘must-do’ adventures in the New River Gorge?

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Visitor Information, West Virginia Adventure | 1 Comment »

Zipping Around the Bridge

Friday, April 6th, 2012

Bridge Day offers folks the possibility of riding on the High Line, a 600 foot harnessed trip on a rope from the Bridge to the side of the Gorge. This experience is very similar to a zip line. The only difference is that the High Line uses a belayed rope to help control participants’ speed.

Zip lines are becoming increasingly popular in West Virginia and beyond.  Luckily for us, there are four Gorge-area zip lines, and another line is being constructed on the Bechtel Summit Boy Scout property.

Let’s take a look at area zip lines so you can choose one to visit when you’re here for Bridge Day.

The Burning Rock Express Dual-Racing Zip Line

What is a Zip Line

A zip line is a set of ropes or cables strung between two objects. These ropes or cables contain enough vertical drop from start to finish to allow a pulley to move swiftly on the lines.

Zip line riders, (aka ‘zippers’), wear a harness that is connected to a pulley and lanyard system. The pulley is attached to the tensioned line, and the vertical difference from the starting point to the ending point supplies the momentum to move you along the line. You hang suspended from the line over the length of the zip. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

The length and speed of zip lines vary depending on how they were designed. There are two distinct differences in lines here in the Gorge.  Let’s take a look.

The Gorge Zip Lines

TreeTops Canopy Tour is located at Adventures On The Gorge. It has 10 zips, varying in distance from 100 feet to 730 feet. It also contains 5 cable bridges, 3 short hikes and a rappel. It takes about 4 hours to complete, so plan your day accordingly.

The Zip Line Canopy Tour is at ACE Adventure Resort. It is also a network of zips that keep participants in the air for over a mile. It also offers side-by-side zip racing, and has one long zip that is well over 800 feet. A 250 foot skybridge and dual 45 foot plunge lines round out this tour.

Gravity is also an Adventures On The Gorge activity, and is zip lining at its fastest (and most adventurous). These zips are designed with speed in mind and go from ridge top to ridge top. The longest zip is 3,100 feet, with speeds that can approach 60 mph. It also has zips of 1,600 feet and 1,300 feet, so you’ll get plenty of zip time. This one is definitely for the adrenaline junkies who like to go fast.

The Burning Rock Express Dual-Racing Zip Line is at Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park. It is a double racing zip line that just lets it rip. At over 2,500 feet and speeds that approach 60 mph, this zip line will definitely get your attention. Although it is just one zip, it’s a great, exciting addition to the 100+ miles of ATV trails at Burning Rock.

We’re lucky to have so many great opportunities to enjoy a zip line (or 10) around here. It’s a unique adventure that you should make part of your next Gorge vacation, during Bridge Day weekend or any other time of year.

And if you love zip lines, maybe you should consider signing up to do the High Line next Bridge Day. It may not be as fast, but hanging 600 feet over the Gorge is a whole different kind of exhilaration.

Are you ready to zip?

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Bridge Day Events, Visitor Information, West Virginia Adventure, Zip Line | No Comments »

How To Gear Up For Rafting Season, Part 2

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

March is almost a memory and with April just around the corner, it’s time to think rafting. April is a time for the hardy paddlers to take advantage of normally high river levels and typically lower trip costs.

Before you come here to “get your raft on” there are a few things you need to think about that can help make your trip more enjoyable. We’ve compiled a short list for you:

Spring Rafting is a Wild Ride

Get the Right Gear

If you’re a wily rafting veteran, you’ve probably already learned a few things about what to bring on a trip. But if you’ve never been rafting in the spring or you’re a rookie to the sport, there are many little things you should consider for this time of year and this type of rafting:

  • Wear synthetic or wool clothing; stay away from cotton. If you wear fleece or other synthetic material clothing, you’ll stay warmer when you get wet (and yes, you’re going to get wet). Wool is also a good choice because it has the ability to keep you warm when wet. Sweaters, long underwear, socks, gloves and a beanie will all go a long way towards making your trip more comfortable.
  • Consider wearing waterproof clothing.  Even if you have great under layers or wear a wetsuit, you will still want to have something to keep the splash off .
  • Don’t forget your sun protection.  Spring is when you have the potential to get burned without realizing it. The air and water keep you cool all day, but the sun’s rays are blazing. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will help diminish the sun’s effects and you won’t go home beet red.

 

Planning

A little bit of planning goes a long way.  This is especially true when it comes to rafting. There are a few things that you can do in preparation for a trip that will make a big difference.

  • Get to know area outfitters.  Rafting companies are all different, and some offer great deals this time of year. Many of them have specials that include lodging, dinner, and even free cold weather clothing rentals to entice rafters to take the plunge in the spring.
  • Know your limits.  If you’ve never been rafting before or you’re not the bravest when it comes to water, you may want to spend an extra bit of time finding a trip that matches your comfort level.
  • Get ready by getting moving.  Spring time rafting can be quite exerting, so try and get some exercise in prior to your trip. Walk, stretch, jog – any of these activities will prep you for a big day on the water.

Have you already made plans for your spring rafting trip?

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Visitor Information, West Virginia Adventure | No Comments »

How To Have The Best Winter Vacation Ever

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Not long ago, a visit to the New River Gorge in the winter wasn’t high on many folk’s list. Although that has changed somewhat over the years, it’s still not common knowledge that this place is pretty amazing in the wintertime too. That’s why winter is a wonderful time to visit and take advantage of all the Gorge has to offer this time of year.

Skiing at Winterplace

Great lodging rates and amazing cool weather mean that the Gorge is a special place to visit during what most call the “off season.” Let’s look at some of the reasons to make a trip to the Gorge before summer rolls back around.

Cozy Cabins

Winter availability at many of the area chalets and cabins is easy to find, even on short notice. That means that at the last minute, you can check the weather (“Hey, it’s going to snow!  Let’s go skiing!) and easily find a cozy West Virginia cabin.

One of the best parts about visiting the New River Gorge is the peace and solitude in your surroundings. Many of the cabins or chalets are fairly secluded.  In fact, many times in the winter you may stay a day or two at a cabin in the woods and not see another soul. People from the city may find this concept foreign, but trust us, you’ll love it.

Winter Adventures

Winter in the Gorge doesn’t mean sitting in your cabin and playing board games all day to pass the time. You’re in the heart of an outdoor adventure hub, so get active! Try some of these winter outdoor activities:

 

And after a day on the slopes or trails, there are lots of interesting places to stop for dinner, shopping, and entertainment.

Finding a reason to plan a winter getaway shouldn’t be hard. Are you visiting the Gorge soon?

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Visitor Information | No Comments »

Bridge Day Weather Update- Friday Morning 10/16

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Morning, everyone!  One more day to go- hope everyone’s ready for Bridge Day 2009.

10 A.M. from the bridge, Friday 10/16

10 A.M. from the bridge, Friday 10/16

Got a weather report for you:  There’s been a lot of clearing up since this morning.

When I got to our Bridge Day HQ this A.M., I made a note in my notebook for this report.  Let’s call it “Accu-Porch” weather.  It was chilly and wet, some mist that threatened here and there to become drizzle.

We left for the bridge shortly after 9, and the gorge was socked in with fog.  The arc of the bridge was visible for at least a couple hundred feet from the north side.

As the rappel safety team briefed under the bridge, things started to clear up in the gorge.  The sky was still overcast (is still overcast).  But the wind, if there was any at all, was very mild.

It was chilly for the first half hour or so on the catwalk, but seemed to warm up after a while.

The weather report right now is reading 45 degrees F and drizzle.  There’s not any noticeable breeze, and really not any drizzle, at least right now.

If I was out in the weather (and I was), I would wear at least 2 warm layers and a waterproof shell.  A hat is a really, really good idea.  Gloves are a good call, too.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Visitor Information | No Comments »

A Weather Update

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
NRG Bridge 10/15/09 5 p.m.

NRG Bridge 10/15/09 5 p.m. Not bad for a Blackberry.

When you go somewhere, people usually say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.”

The difference is, in the New River Gorge, it’s usually true.

We’ll be posting unofficial weather reports all weekend long here on the blog.  Also, we will be automatically updating the weather forecast here on the site.  So keep an eye out for us, and feel free to pass these posts along.

Right now, weather.com has an hour-by-hour forecast for the gorge area for Saturday that’s stating about 40 degrees F and 30% chance of rain.

For jumpers, the forecast is winds out of the NW at 8 mph.

Expect these numbers to change.  The new river gorge is right in the heart of the Appalachians, and the mountains can often shift weather to the north or south.

More updates coming.  Bundle up, get warm, and go crazy- Bridge Day is almost here…

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Visitor Information | No Comments »

What You’ll See On Bridge Day

Thursday, October 15th, 2009
The Bridge Catwalk

The Bridge Catwalk

Bridge Day is West Virginia’s biggest festival.  There’s a reason for that.

People can come to Bridge Day expecting to see things that, really, just aren’t assembled anywhere else.  And, some stuff that you will.  The old favorites.

Here’s a bit of an overview of both…

The big attraction is, of course, the world’s largest BASE jumping festival.  BASE, if you don’t know, stands for Building Antenna Span and Earth.  Those are the 4 catagories of fixed objects that people parachute from in the sport.

The basic setup goes like this: The bridge is open only to pedestrian traffic during the event.  Right in the middle of the span is a large platform- the launch ramp.

Jumpers are lined up around the launch ramp with thousands of spectators around to watch.  The atmosphere is pretty exciting.  After all, these people are about to leap from an 876 foot high bridge.

And then they jump.  One after the other.

Bright parachutes, rescue boats in the river below, and a hot landing zone are all par for the course while the festival is going on.  The jumpers go pretty much non-stop through out the day.

On the southern side of the bridge, 800 foot long ropes are visible, hanging down below the arch.  This is where the rappellers are rigged up and ready.

Rapellers actually kick off Bridge Day by raising the U.S., West Virginia, and this year, National Park Service flags up the ropes closest to the center of the bridge.

Vendors always help to make for a great festival.  But the ones at Bridge Day are… a little different.  Not only will you find eats of all stripes, but there are crafts vendors, musicians, and lots of artisans, as well.

The vendor area is just off the bridge on both the north and the south sides.

You’ll also see a lot going on in downtown Fayetteville.  The shops run specials all weekend, and you can shop for outdoor gear, art, clothes, and music.  After the festival, expect to find plenty of people um in town at the 1st annual Bridge Day Chili Festival.

The bridge is a one-of-a-kind place, and Bridge Day is a celebration to match.  If you’ve never been, you’re going to see a lot more than you’re used to.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Visitor Information | No Comments »

Why Is Bridge Day Awesome For First Time BASE Jumpers?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Why Is Bridge Day Awesome For First Time BASE Jumpers?

‘Cause it’s in West Virginia?

Nice to know they're down there

Nice to know they're down there

Well, sure, there’s some hometown pride there, but there are other reasons, too.  I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the things that get a person ready for their 1st BASE jump, and why so many people come to Bridge Day in the New River Gorge to do it…

First off, there are two first-timer intro courses offered at the event itself.   Both courses are offered right here in Fayette County by instructors from the Snake River BASE Academy.

One is a four day long workshop that covers Bridge Day from A to Z.  The other is a specialized 6 to 8 hour run-down of all the essential training necessary for a great 1st jump.

Taking one of the courses is a requirement for first time jumpers at Bridge Day, unless they’ve been trained by an approved mentor.  Mentors have to have over 100 BASE jumps as well as previous Bridge Day experience.

All that speaks to just how in touch and safety oriented the BASE jumping community surrounding Bridge Day is.  With only 6 hours each year for bridge based jumps, the participants are very keyed-in to what makes a great event greater.  And that’s safety.

Bridge Day jump coordinators Vertical Visions have mapped out all the requirements for first timers in a FAQ that has pretty much everything you could want to know if you’re considering a jump.

First timers can’t register for Bridge Day without having at least 100 other parachute jumps (skydive or BASE).  That’s a good start to the experience needed to jump off the bridge.

And do you need to have gone skydiving before BASE jumping?  Well, let’s just say that it’s a really, really, very, extremely good idea.  Why?  Because BASE jumping without knowing how to skydive first is stupid :-)

I think we can all agree with the logic there.

There’s one more great reason for first time BASE jumpers to chose Bridge Day:  The New River.  The gorge is lined with trees and boulders, and the actual landing zone is room enough for seasoned veterans, but a river landing for a first timer is a great option.

Why?  Because the water is soft, and, as far as being a target, it’s easy to hit.  Oh, and the river is full of what might be the most experienced river rescue team in the world.  It’s said that the folks in the boats below the bridge on Bridge Day can get a jumper from the water before their head gets wet.

I’m sure there’s some truth to that, in most cases.  But what it really means goes back to the whole reason Bridge Day is good for first timers in the first place:  Safety.

Anyone out there going for their 1st jump at Bridge Day?  Share your thoughts with us in the comments…

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in BASE Jumping | No Comments »

Motorcycles? Safety? Bridge Day? You Bet

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Bridge Day 2009.  What a great day to be in Southern West Virginia.

Like this, but on the New River Gorge Bridge

Like this, but on the New River Gorge Bridge

The state’s largest one day festival is an absolute blast, and if you haven’t been to the festival, you don’t know what you’re missing. With arts, crafts, food, rappelling, high line rides, fall foliage, and plenty of BASE jumpers, the Bridge Day is not to be missed.

This is the one day during the year that you can walk on the Western Hemisphere’s largest single arch bridge, and take in the view of the New River Gorge. Fall colors are at their peak, and the bridge offers a wonderful vista over one of the world’s oldest places.

This Bridge Day is also the Second Annual West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program Ride. This ride is to promote more awareness of motorcycles on the highways and safe interaction with other motor vehicles.

As motorcycle ridership has increased, so have accidents. There is a need to make all motorists aware of motorcycles and to watch closely for them during the riding season, which runs April through November.

The ride will be held on Saturday October 17 at 10 am (Bridge Day). Riders will meet at Songer Whitewater in Hico and travel south on Rt 19 across the bridge then, following Rt 16 North and Rt 60 East, back to Hico. This route crosses the New River and the bridge to highlight motorcycles on the highways to a large number of motorists attending Bridge Day.

The route also offers riders a scenic route through Southern West Virginia with views of the gorge and the fall colors. Riders will then have time to return to the bridge to enjoy the festivities.

While registration has closed for this year, we do want people to know that this is an ongoing event.  If you ride, but aren’t registered, you can still watch for us to come rolling across the bridge, right in the middle of all the action.

If you ride a bike and would like to participate in the ride in 2010, check the website for details. If you have not been to Bridge Day, make plans to do so. You won’t be disappointed!

Special Guest Post By:

Len Hanger over at Songer Whitewater, he helps organize the annual Bridge Day Motorcycle safety awareness ride.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Bridge Day Events | No Comments »

10 Alternate Names For Bridge Day

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

What’s Bridge Day?  The short answer is it’s the largest festival in West Virginia.

But it’s more than that, really.  Just saying “the largest festival…” leaves out the whole community feel of it.  The tradition.  The adrenaline.

Maybe if there were some more names for it, it would help describe everything that goes down…

  • “Y’all Are Crazy” Day- The big draw, of course, is BASE jumping off the New River Gorge Bridge.  If you don’t know, BASE is parachuting from a fixed object- in this case, a bridge.  A spectacle.
  • “I Can’t Eat Any More… Well, Okay” Day If there’s one thing you’ll find everywhere at Bridge Day, it’s food.  From the Pancake Breakfast in the morning to the Chili Cookoff that night, (and all day long, too) there’s plenty of grub.
  • “This Place Is Awesome” Day When you see the big crowd, and the jumpers, and the rafters and kayakers below, and the fall colors, all from this engineering marvel of a bridge, this is exactly what you’ll think.  Promise.
  • “I Do Need Some Art” Day We’re lucky to have some of the most talented artisans in the state come and set up shop.  Almost anywhere you go on Bridge day, there’s great art for browsing and for sale.
  • “We Need To Stay Another Day” Day There is no way to do everything you’d like to do in the New River Gorge in a day.  Rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, ATVs, paintball, rafting, kayaking, and on and on.  Sorry about that.
  • “I Should Get A Motorcycle” Day It probably helps that Weest Virginia has more CRPC  (Curvy Roads Per Capita) than any other state.  Whatever it is, Bridge Day draws tons of bikes.
  • “I’ve Got To Show My Friends This” Day This year -the 30th anniversary- Bridge Day is full connected, online, and mobile. Text bd30 to 77007 to find out everything, and tag the stuff you share with #bridgeday or #bd30.
  • “I Could Get Used To This” Day The New River Gorge is the world’s greatest backyard, basically.  People move to this part of the Mountain State to turn life into serious play.
  • “Fat Guy With A Funnel Cake” Day Self-explanitory.
  • “We’re Definitely Doing This Again Next Year” Day If we renamed the festival after the phrase most often overhead at Bridge Day, this would be it.

It’s a lot of things.  More than anything, it’s fun.  And who are we to try to define fun, anyway?  We’ll just stick with Bridge Day.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in BASE Jumping, Rappelling, Taste of Bridge Day, Visitor Information | No Comments »

Bridge Day - Its all about you

Everything you need to know about the festival is here

Offical Apps

Photo gallery

  • Bridge-Day-West-VirginiaPA151557-8a11e35d7e5982085e6ee7ad26a7b6a0.jpg
  • Bridge-Day-West-VirginiaPA151323-80910e16e1965585c188f6c3e0348544.jpg
  • Bridge-Day-West-VirginiaPA141456-5eba4962df1ce69bb160fa57599c6e29.jpg
  • Bridge-Day-West-VirginiaPA141334-354d0e51bb64fc40fbac6bfd0a3c89f1.jpg
  • PA168550-5fb0cb8c26a8fe7cea09cab4016ec57f.jpg
  • Bridge-Day-West-VirginiaPA140561.jpg

QUICK LINKS

VENDORS, SPONSORS, MEDIA

OFFICAL BRIDGE DAY FESTIVAL

310 Oyler Ave Oak Hill WV 25901
Toll-Free:
800-927-0263
Email:
bridgeday@officialbridgeday.com