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New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville, WV

Photo: JaGa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicOutdoor AdventureFree

New River Gorge Bridge

Canyon Rim Visitor Center, 162 Visitor Center Rd (US-19) · Fayetteville, WV

Why you should go…

The New River Gorge Bridge is a steel arch bridge 3,030 feet long that carries US Route 19 876 feet above the New River. Completed in 1977, it cut the trip across the gorge from about 45 minutes to 45 seconds and appears on the 2005 West Virginia state quarter. For the classic view, stop at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, where a boardwalk drops to two observation decks facing the span. Each October the bridge hosts Bridge Day, with BASE jumping and rappelling.

  • #bridge
  • #scenic overlook
  • #new river gorge
  • #national park

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to New River Gorge Bridge, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Free

    Raft, climb and hike along 53 miles of the New River, with overlooks of the New River Gorge Bridge at Canyon Rim.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Rail Explorers Elk River

    $25–$50

    Electric-assist rail bike tours along Buffalo Creek in central West Virginia, past waterfalls and old rail relics.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Braxton County

    Free

    Rural county in the geographic center of West Virginia, with historic Bulltown and Sutton Lake.

    46 mi awayMore like this