FYI: Due to water tank improvements, bathrooms and water fountains will be unavailable from October 2 through early December. Portable toilets and handwashing stations will be located throughout the park.
FYI: The Farmstead Museum is currently closed until further notice, due to federal grant delays.
FYI: The Observation Tower at the end of Cliffside Trail will be closed until further notice.
All pets must be placed on a 6ft visible leash at all times when at the park. No pets are allowed in the animal habitat area.
It is highly recommended that program tickets are purchased at least 15 minutes before any program, in-person or online.
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853 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: 423.229.9447
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Barge Rides

Observe water lilies, deer, raccoons, ducks, geese, turtles, great herons, beaver lodges, and sometimes beavers and black bears. Your naturalist will discuss park history as well as the signs and sounds encountered on your trip, creating a unique experience. The Barge Ride lasts approximately 45 minutes and may be canceled due to weather. The barge is ADA-accessible.

Barge Ride Guidelines:

  • All riders must be at least 30 inches tall.
  • All riders must have a valid ticket.
  • All riders 12 years old and under must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) while the barge is underway.
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Upcoming Events


Fox Keeper Talk

October 17 @ 1:00 pm - 1:30 pmBays Mountain Park

Turtle Keeper Talk

October 17 @ 2:00 pm - 2:30 pmBays Mountain Park

Barge Ride

October 17 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm$6.00 - Bays Mountain Park

“Big Astronomy”

October 17 @ 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm$6.00 - Bays Mountain Park

Snake Talk

October 18 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 amBays Mountain Park

Barge Ride

October 18 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm$6.00 - Bays Mountain Park

“Big Astronomy”

October 18 @ 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm$6.00 - Bays Mountain Park

EXPLORE

The Magic of Bays Mountain

The Park features a picturesque 44 acre lake, hiking trails, a Nature Center with a state-of-the-art Planetarium Theater, and Animal Habitats featuring wolves, bobcats, raptors and reptiles.

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NATURE PROGRAMS

Wolf Keeper Talk

Come meet our animal care staff and learn a little bit about our resident wolves.

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Orbital

PLANETARIUM FEATURE

“Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries”

This exciting, new planetarium program transports viewers to Chile where the dark skies and dry, remote setting create ideal conditions for observing the Universe. Journey to three world-class observatories in Chile’s rugged Andes Mountains and arid Atacama Desert— remote, extreme regions that happen to have the perfect conditions for astronomical research. Against a backdrop of breathtaking visuals and a hypnotic soundtrack, Big Astronomy introduces the diverse people who push the limits of technology, enable scientific discovery and expand what we know about the Universe using state-of-the-art telescopes. Along the way, you’ll meet an inspiring cast of astronomers, engineers, technicians, and support staff who keep these mega-machines running.

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Orbital

HIKING & BIKING

Explore the Park


Bays Mountain Park features roughly 44 miles of beautiful hiking trails that cover most of the 3,750 acres of the park, with over 32 miles of trails approved for mountain biking.

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Bays Mountain Park has daily events and programs including nature programs, planetarium programs and special events. Check out our calendars to find your adventure!

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SCHOOL GROUPS

Bays Mountain Park staff and volunteers offer programs for school groups from kindergarten through high school level. These programs are offered Tuesday through Friday, September through May.

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Maps

PARK MAPS

Need help navigating through the Park? Download the park map and the Nature Center Grounds map. You will also receive a copy of both of these maps at the park gatehouse.

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Biking

BIKING

Bays Mountain Park has 32 miles of trails approved for mountain biking. Download the park map and enjoy the ride!

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What’s Happening

  • Bays Mountain Park Announces Autumn Park After Dark

    Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium would like to invite families, friends, and fall-lovers alike to experience the magic…

  • Bays Mountain Park hosts Campfire Tales event

    Bays Mountain Park, in partnership with the Friends of Bays History Committee, is proud to announce a special event happening…

  • Bays Mountain Park announces annual StarWatch program

    Bays Mountain Park’s night sky observing sessions – StarWatch – has returned for the fall season.

    StarWatch sessions…

  • Bays Mountain Astronomy Club hosts 40th StarFest Convention

    The Bays Mountain Astronomy Club and Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium is excited to announce registration is now open for…

  • Water Tank Improvements coming to Bays Mountain Park

    Contractors will be performing upgrades and improvements to the water tank located on Bays Mountain beginning next month.

    The…

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© 2025 Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium
853 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: 423.229.9447 | Fax: 423.224.2589
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Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

853 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport, TN 37660

Phone: 423.229.9447 | Fax: 423.224.2589

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Attention:

High traffic time on Saturday and Sunday is 12 – 4 p.m. Expect delays. Thank you for your understanding!

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