First Day Hike along Lakeside Trail
2024-01-01 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Bays Mountain Park, 853 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport, TN, 37660, United States
Start the New Year off on the right foot with Bays Mountain Park’s annual First Day Hike!
Join Bays Mountain Park staff on a moderate guided hike around our frost-covered lake. Following along the Lakeside Trail, hikers will complete an energizing 2.75 mile route on a crisp, quiet New Year’s morning. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring a water bottle.
The program is free, but pre-registration is required.

First Day Hike on Cliffside Trail
2024-01-01 09:30 - 23:30
Start the New Year on the right foot with Bays Mountain Park’s annual First Day Hike!
Join Bays Mountain park staff on a strenuous guided hike around our frost-covered ridge. Following along the Cliffside Trail, hikers will complete a 1.5 mile route on a crisp, quiet New Year’s morning. Stopping along at several overlooks and climbing the Bays Mountain Observation Tower. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring a water bottle.
Great hike for children older than eight years of age. This program is free, but pre-registration is required.

Turtle Keeper Talk
2024-01-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-09 14:00 - 15:00
Get to know these reptiles by seeing them up close and learn the secrets to their long lives.

This is a free program with no registration required.

Totality
2024-01-02 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-03 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-04 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-05 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-06 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-06 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-07 16:00 - 17:00 and 5 more dates
“Totality” is a fascinating look at all the wonders of eclipses, especially total solar eclipses. An eclipse is described simply as when one celestial object blocks another from our view. This program, produced by Bays Mountain Planetarium, examines what eclipses are, how and when they occur, and what wonderful sights they create. We also look back to a fascinating period in scientific discovery when general relativity was proven with the photographic recording of a total solar eclipse.
Our production includes a variety of wonderful styles – from spectacular space environments to humorous pop-up books. A very special part of the show relates, in a very human way, what happens when you are caught in the shadow of the Moon and the Sun is plunged into a total solar eclipse. You will love this program.
The program is followed by a live, brief tour of the current evening sky using our Zeiss ZKP-4 optical star projector. Due to its live nature, and the natural progression of the changing night sky throughout the seasons, each tour will be unique! Learn what fascinating mythological constellations, from Ancient Greece and other cultures, will be easily visible. Marvel at their lore. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these celestial sights for themselves.
Show length ~35 min.

Dining with The Wolves
2024-01-03 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-13 14:00 - 15:00
See the wolf pack enjoy a tasty meal. Meet at the Wolf Habitat. Free Program!
Photo by Jay Huron

Wolf Keeper Talk
2024-01-04 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-07 16:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-01-11 14:00 - 15:00
Come meet our animal care staff and learn a little bit about our resident wolves. Free program.
Photo by Jay Huron

Appalachian Skies
2024-01-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-07 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-01-13 14:00 - 15:00
“Appalachian Skies” will take visitors on a majestic tour of the current evening sky using the spectacular Zeiss optical star projector instrument. Its fiber-optic generated star field is stunning and a pleasure to see. This live presentation is enhanced with additional content from our VELVET LED projectors for a wonderful, immersive experience. You don’t want to miss it!
Due to the live nature of the program, and the natural progression of the changing night sky throughout the seasons, each presentation will be unique! Learn what fascinating mythological constellations, from Ancient Greece and other cultures, will be easily visible. Marvel at their lore. Find out what planets are easily seen as well. Visitors will take this knowledge home and be able to locate these celestial sights for themselves.
Show length ~ 35 min.

Wonder of Wolves
2024-01-07 15:00 - 16:00
Experience the chilling sounds of the wolf call as our naturalists and/or volunteers talk about our pack and share interesting facts about socialization and behaviors.
Meet at the wolf habitat. Tickets can be purchased in the Nature Center on the day of the program. The cost is $3 per person for non-members.
Photo by Jay Huron

Planetarium Yoga
2024-01-12 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for a truly immersive yoga class at Bays Mountain. This class will be given inside Bays Mountain’s one of a kind planetarium theater that has no equal. From dawn to dusk, the planetarium will feature a Sun and Moon that simulates a day’s journey while we do Sun Salutations, Warrior series and balance poses. Concentric, eccentric and isometric contractions will be featured so that students can work to optimize both their strength and balance. Finally, we conclude with a twilight to starry night sky for the restorative portion of the yoga class. All levels are welcome as modifications will be offered. The cost is $12.00 a person and class size is limited, so please sign up soon. Please also wear exercise clothing, bring your own mat and water that is contained and has a sealing lid/cap (drinks that can spill are not allowed).
The planetarium theater door will open ~10 minutes prior to start.
Maximum class size: 10 people
