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.
NATURE PROGRAMS
Wolf Keeper Talk
Come meet our animal care staff and learn a little bit about our resident wolves.

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.

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