Perrine Bridge - Tourism

Tourism

Adjacent to the south end of the bridge is a parking area with a visitors' center, which allows for easy access to the bridge. To the east, along the south rim of the canyon, lies the dirt ramp used by Evel Knievel when he unsuccessfully attempted to jump the canyon on his steam-powered "skycycle" in 1974. Knievel crashed on the jump because of a parachute malfunction; it opened right after his take off. He survived the crash with only a broken nose. The ramp where he made the leap sits on private property about two miles east of the bridge and is visible from the bridge as well as various vantage points along the Canyon Trail.

The Perrine Bridge is a popular BASE jumping site known the world over. It may be the only man-made structure in the United States where BASE jumping is allowed year-round without a permit. In September 2005 Miles Daisher of Twin Falls set a BASE jumping world record by jumping off Perrine Bridge 57 times in a 24-hour period. In July 2006 Dan Schilling jumped off the bridge 201 times in 21 hours to raise money for charity. Unlike Daisher, Schilling was hoisted to the top of the bridge by a crane after every jump.

Located at the southwest end of the Perrine Bridge is the Buzz Langdon Visitor Center. BASE Jumpers often use the center as a home-base before and after parachuting from the bridge. The visitors center offers spectacular views of the canyon, bridge, and easy access to the extensively developed trail system along the canyon rim. Trails go under the bridge on either side which offers great vantage points of the bridge and its structure.