New River Gorge Bridge Day 2026
Bridge Day — third Saturday of October, only US bridge where BASE jumping is legal.
Days to go
42days · Oct 17, 2026
Where to sleep in West Virginia
West Virginia campgrounds we keep verified — rig limits, fees and booking windows straight from the operator. Distances to Fayetteville (New River Gorge Bridge, WV) vary, so check the map before you commit.
- Grandview Backcountry (New River Gorge NP)Nearest town: Beaver · National Park Service$0/nightTent onlyBooks free permit required at visitor center
- Blackwater Falls State Park CampgroundNearest town: Davis · State Park / State Forest$28–$50/nightRigs to 50 ftBooks 13 months ahead via wv state parks portal
- Seneca State Forest CampgroundNearest town: Dunmore · State Park / State Forest$20–$38/nightRigs to 30 ftBooks 13 months ahead via wv state parks portal
- Babcock State Park CampgroundNearest town: Clifftop · State Park / State Forest$28–$50/nightRigs to 40 ftBooks 13 months ahead via wv state parks portal
Going to New River Gorge Bridge Day? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. You get a single email when one is listed for your window.
What you need to know
Bridge Day is one calendar day — October 17, 2026 — when the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia opens for legal BASE jumping, rappelling, and pedestrian access. It is the only US bridge where federal + state law permit BASE jumping once a year. 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.
Official source: officialbridgeday.com
Safety + legal
US-19 across the New River Gorge Bridge fully closes both directions from ~7 a.m. to ~5 p.m. on Bridge Day — 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 an Official Bridge Day permit ($95, 50-jump minimum, registration opens 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).
Plan your trip · Oct 17, 2026 · Fayetteville (New River Gorge Bridge, WV)
Rent an RV near New River Gorge Bridge Day
Search runs on your Oct 17, 2026 window with a one-day buffer on each side — arrive early, leave late. Whether an RV is listed for those dates depends on what West Virginia hosts have posted, so the campsite plan below is worth locking either way.
- Dates
- Oct 17, 2026
- Days away
- 42
- Location
- Fayetteville (New River Gorge Bridge, WV)
- Book ahead
- 16+ weeks
- Planning window
- Start early
Hosting near Fayetteville (New River Gorge Bridge, WV)? List your rig and put your calendar in front of event travellers.
List your rig →Start early, arrive easy — the whole runway
The honest runway from start-looking to head-home, with a one-day buffer on each end.
Start
~16 weeks out
Give yourself ~16 weeks to line up a rig and a campsite.
Arrive
Oct 16
Roll in a day early and set up camp.
Event
Oct 17
New River Gorge Bridge Day 2026
Head home
Oct 18
Leave a day late and skip the exodus.
Best rigs for New River Gorge Bridge Day
First pick first — each row opens a search for Oct 17, already filtered to the class.
Plan it by rig
Each class above has its own planning page for New River Gorge Bridge Day — class fit and booking guidance in one place.
Frequently asked about New River Gorge Bridge Day
When is New River Gorge Bridge Day 2026?
New River Gorge Bridge Day 2026 takes place on Oct 17, 2026 in Fayetteville (New River Gorge Bridge, WV), West Virginia.
Where is New River Gorge Bridge Day held?
Fayetteville (New River Gorge Bridge, WV), West Virginia.
What are the exact 2026 dates?
Oct 17, 2026 (single-day event).
What RV should I rent for New River Gorge Bridge Day?
Best categories: rv, trucks-vans, off-road. Bridge Day is one calendar day — October 17, 2026 — when the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia opens for legal BASE jumping, rappelling, and pedestrian access. It is the only US bridge where federal + state law permit BASE jumping once a year. 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 Bridge Day — 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 an Official Bridge Day permit ($95, 50-jump minimum, registration opens 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).
Ready to roll?
West Virginia is waiting.
Complete nightly price on every listing — your exact total itemized before you pay · 48h free cancel. Every rig near you, one checkout.
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Cross-discover same-state events you can stack with your trip, plus festival events in other states.
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Plan around the event · 3
Hub state · nearest city · nearest park · recommended rig category — one click each.
State rules, safety and legalLicence + 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 4 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