6 Ways to Experience the New River Gorge Bridge

 

The New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville is an acclaimed landmark of Southern West Virginia and home to West Virginia’s largest single-day festival: Bridge Day. Although the recent cancellation of Bridge Day 2021 was disappointing, the safety of our visitors and communities is more important. And luckily, we all can still enjoy the bridge from new perspectives while keeping ourselves and others safe.

 

Bridge Walk

The next best thing to walking across the bridge on Bridge Day is to walk the catwalk beneath it during a Bridge Walk tour! See the breathtaking landscape and incomparable views of the Gorge from 851 feet above the New River. The catwalk is over a mile long and 24 inches wide with a substantial railing. Before beginning the tour, guests are securely fastened onto a safety cable. The tours last about two to three hours in length and move at a leisurely pace — so there’s plenty of opportunities for photos! To book a trip and learn about the additional safety precautions implemented by Bridge Walk go to their website. 

 

Rafting 

Check out the view from below on a whitewater rafting trip down the New River. The New River is one of the world’s oldest rivers and has exhilarating rapids that will delight both beginners and experienced rafters. End your trip at the Fayette Station rapid and view the iconic bridge from the water. Schedule a trip with one of our reputable outfitters for an opportunity to experience this unique perspective.

 

Biplane Ride

Get a bird’s-eye view of the New River Gorge Bridge during a scenic flight in a historic World War II biplane with Wild Blue Adventure Company! This 20-minute trip lets you see area features like the New River, Endless Wall trail, Hawks Nest State Park and Dam like never before. You can even request to add aerobatics like barrel rolls, cravats, hammerheads and s-turns to your flight if you’re feeling more adventurous! Find flight details on the company’s website. 

 

Hiking

Get a dose of nature and catch beautiful glimpses of the bridge during a hike in the New River Gorge. The popular Long Point trail offers a picturesque view of the bridge from a rock outcrop at the end, while Endless Wall, another favorite spot, allows you to see the bridge from many different points along the gorge. Looking for a less crowded trail? Head to the accurately named Bridge Trail. This trek takes you directly under the bridge for one-of-a-kind photo opportunities.

 

Jet Boat Trip

Cruise down the New River on an exciting jet boat ride with New River Jet Boats and get picture-perfect views from the bottom of the Gorge. After taking a scenic shuttle ride along Mill Creek from Hawks Nest State Park, you will then go on a jet boat ride upstream for a magnificent look at the New River Gorge Bridge. New River Jet Boats is opened on Thursday through Monday during the month of October.

Overlooks

Get the perfect shot of the New River Gorge Bridge from the Canyon Rim Overlook. Located at the Canyon Rim Visitor’s Center, there are two different vantage points available. The first is a panoramic view from the top overlook, and the second is an arch-level sight obtained from the lower overlook. Prefer to stay in your car? Take a scenic ride on Fayette Station Road, a winding one-way drive that crosses under the bridge. A water-level view of the bridge can be seen from the Fayette Station Bridge at the bottom of the Gorge, too! 

 

While we have to wait until next year for Bridge Day 2022, we can still find unique ways to enjoy the New River Gorge Bridge! From the sky to the water, find the perfect place to view the well-known bridge, and tag us in your adventures using #visitwv on social media.