Festival · West Virginia
New River Gorge in October 2026
Oct 17
See what's coming up in West Virginia →Fayetteville (New River Gorge Bridge, WV) · West Virginia
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One Saturday a year the New River Gorge Bridge closes to traffic for BASE jumps and rappelling.
What you need to know
New River Gorge in October 2026 ran Oct 17, 2026. Its next dates are not on our calendar yet.
October 17, 2026 is the one day the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia opens for legal BASE jumping, rappelling, and pedestrian access.
The day falls in the New River Gorge fall-foliage peak window, which doubles the planning load for RV travelers. The gorge sits inside New River Gorge National Park — the newest US national park, redesignated in December 2020. WVDOT closes US-19 across the span in both directions on event day.
Safety rules and an insider tip
Safety + legal. US-19 across the New River Gorge Bridge fully closes both directions from ~7 a.m. to ~5 p.m. on October 17 — mandatory detour via I-79/I-77/I-64 through Charleston or local US-60/US-16. Stage the RV by Friday evening. Class A and fifth-wheel rigs cannot reach the festival footprint on event day. BASE jumping is a spectator-only activity unless you hold the organizer's jump permit ($95, 50-jump minimum, registration opened July 1, 2026).
Insider tip. Park at Babcock State Park ($45/night electric, 22 miles south via US-60) or claim a free first-come Army Camp NPS site (rigs under 25 ft) and shuttle in. The same weekend overlaps the final Gauley River whitewater release of the 2026 season (last release Oct 18 per NPS).
Official source: the organizer's site
Where to sleep in West Virginia
None of the West Virginia campgrounds we verify is matched to this event's town.
Going to New River Gorge in October? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. Pick your nights and we'll email you when one is listed for them.
Around New River Gorge in October
Frequently asked about New River Gorge in October
When does the New River Gorge Bridge close in 2026?
Saturday, October 17, 2026. WVDOT closes US-19 across the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia, in both directions from about 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; that day the span is open only to BASE jumpers, rappellers and people on foot.
Where is the New River Gorge Bridge?
On US-19 at Fayetteville, West Virginia, inside New River Gorge National Park.
What are the exact 2026 dates?
Oct 17, 2026 (single-day event).
What RV should I rent for New River Gorge in October?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans, off-road. October 17, 2026 is the one day the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia opens for legal BASE jumping, rappelling, and pedestrian access. The day falls in the New River Gorge fall-foliage peak window, which doubles the planning load for RV travelers. The gorge sits inside New River Gorge National Park — the newest US national park, redesignated in December 2020. WVDOT closes US-19 across the span in both directions on event day.
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 16 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
US-19 across the New River Gorge Bridge fully closes both directions from ~7 a.m. to ~5 p.m. on October 17 — mandatory detour via I-79/I-77/I-64 through Charleston or local US-60/US-16. Stage the RV by Friday evening. Class A and fifth-wheel rigs cannot reach the festival footprint on event day. BASE jumping is a spectator-only activity unless you hold the organizer's jump permit ($95, 50-jump minimum, registration opened July 1, 2026).
What's an insider tip?
Park at Babcock State Park ($45/night electric, 22 miles south via US-60) or claim a free first-come Army Camp NPS site (rigs under 25 ft) and shuttle in. The same weekend overlaps the final Gauley River whitewater release of the 2026 season (last release Oct 18 per NPS).
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State rules, safety and legalLicense + towing rules, insurance basics and the non-affiliation notice.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Before you rent in West Virginia — key local rules
Motorhomes under 26,001 lbs GVWR drive on the standard license — WV DMV
Boating Safety Education required for operators born after 1986 — WV DNR — Boating Safety
Hatfield-McCoy Trail System: largest in eastern US (1,000+ mi) — Hatfield-McCoy Trails
West Virginia BAC 0.08%; open container in passenger area prohibited — WV Code §17C-5-2
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with WV DMV before relying. Reviewed in the last 5 months (as of 2026-05-24).
West Virginia rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 7% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Allowed — disclosure required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-07:00