The One Day A Year It Is Legal To Jump Off A Massive Bridge In West Virginia

Have you ever felt like telling someone to “go jump off a bridge?” Well, in WV, for one day each year, they can actually do it! For the “Bridge Day” celebration each year, it is perfectly legal to jump off the 876 foot high New River Gorge Bridge. A monumental steel arch built on a grand scale not often seen in bridge construction, the New River Gorge bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia opened in 1977 as the highest and longest arch bridge in the world at that time, with a height of 876 feet and a main span of 1,700 feet. A true engineering marvel, it was constructed of 88 million pounds of American steel and cement.

Flickr/Bill Dickinson

The New River Gorge Bridge is unique as it is the only bridge in the world to be celebrated because of its height.

Flickr/Gene

Every year on the 3rd Saturday of October, brave and daring people seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush descend upon the bridge for Bridge Day.

Flickr/Gene

This marriage of bridge and thrill sport began back in 1979 and 1980 when several parachuters made renegade jumps off the bridge. In 1981, after negotiations with then state Governor Rockefeller, BASE jumping was legally allowed for the first time ever during the 5th annual Bridge Day with 5 jumpers taking the leap. By 1983, the number of registered BASE jumpers exceeded 200 before doubling to approximately 400 by 1985.

Flickr/Angie

This is a day when the span is completely closed to vehicles. Nearly 200,000 people are then allowed to walk on the bridge for a one-day festival that is centered around the spectacular view of the New River and BASE jumping.

Flickr/Jeremy Markovich

Flickr/Jeremy Markovich

Some jumpers may surprise you! People young and old, and of all abilities, can take the plunge.

Flickr/Jeremy Markovich

Jumpers touch down on the shore or in the water below.

Flickr/Jeremy Markovich

Bridge Day is the largest BASE jumping event in the world. The only other legal span open to jumpers is the Perrine bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho where BASE jumping is allowed every day of the year.

Flickr/Jeremy Markovich

Rescuers in rafts wait underneath the bridge in case they're needed.

New River Gorge Bridge Day is a true celebration in every sense of the word, with vendors, a chili cook-off, Bridge Day 5K and even a Bridge Day Music Jam. You can find out more about the fun here.

So head on down to Fayetteville, WV on the 3rd Saturday in October, and take part in some adrenaline-fueled fun! What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?