What is Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium?
Located in Kingsport, Tennessee, Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium is one of the nation’s largest city-owned parks. A 3,750-acre nature preserve featuring a Nature Center with a state-of-the-art planetarium, Bays Mountain Park also offers a 44-acre lake, 40 miles of trails approved for hiking and mountain biking, native animal habitats, gift shop and much more!
What is a Nature Preserve?
A nature preserve is an area identified and set aside for the protection and preservation of its flora (plant life), fauna (wildlife) and even its geological significance. Nature preserves may be designated by governments and/or communities and are often used for educational and/or research purposes. In 1973, the State of Tennessee designated Bays Mountain Park as a state natural area to be protected from irresponsible development and other harmful threats.
What is a Planetarium?
A planetarium is a special theater facility designed primarily for the study of the night sky and other astronomy related subjects. Bays Mountain Park is home to a state-of-the-art planetarium featuring a 40-foot dome, 6.1 surround sound, amazing full-dome hemispherical digital projection that fills the dome with imagery and a Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector that is so precise viewers can use binoculars to see two dozen deep sky objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye! Shows are offered almost every day except Monday during the school year.
When are you open?
Bays Mountain Park is open every day of the year except on: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Park hours are seasonal, however, so please visit the Hours and Fees page or call 423-229-9447 for updated hours before visiting.
Are the Nature Center and animal exhibits stroller and wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The upper and lower levels of the Nature Center are accessible via ramp while the main paths thru our animal habitats are paved.
Do you offer field trips for school classes? Home school classes?
Yes! One of the park’s primary goals is education outreach. More than 10,000 students visit Bays Mountain Park each year for quality, up-to-date educational programming. Bays Mountain Park follows state standards of learning when preparing our programs. Many home school groups also make Bays Mountain Park a part of their learning process. To receive more information or to schedule a visit, please visit our Schools Page or call 423-229-9490.
Do you offer birthday parties?
Birthday parties are very popular at Bays Mountain Park. We offer attendees the opportunity to mix birthday fun with planetarium shows, nature programs and even barge rides (individual or group fees apply for all programs). For more information, visit our rentals page, or to schedule a birthday party call 423-229-9447.
Do you have picnic shelters?
Picnic tables are conveniently located throughout our main parking area.
Do the picnic shelters have grills and/or what is your policy on grills?
Due to our status as a nature preserve there are no grills at our picnic tables. Also, the use of grills is prohibited at Bays Mountain Park.
What are the rules for mountain biking at Bays Mountain Park?
More than 25 miles of our 40 mile trail system are approved for mountain biking. No street bikes are allowed and no bikes are allowed in the animal habitats. Visit our Hiking & Biking page for more information.
Are there rules for hiking?
While there are no firm guidelines for hiking, we do strongly recommend hikers take a park map with them on each and every hike. Hiking tips and recommendations are located just below the map for your convenience and on our Hiking & Biking page. Proper planning will help ensure your safety and help make certain that your hike can be completed before park closing.
Are there snakes and predators on your trails and/or in the park?
As a nature preserve, snakes and predators can be found inside park boundaries including on our trails. For your safety, please stay on trails at all times and NEVER feed or entice wild animals. DO NOT carry food on the trails.
Do you allow dogs or other pets at Bays Mountain Park?
Currently, Bays Mountain Park only allows pet dogs on site. All visitors with pets are required to maintain control of their pet on a 6-foot visible leash at all times. Pets may not be in the animal habitat areas nor the Herpetarium. Starting September 3, 2024, dogs will no longer be allowed inside of the Nature Center, except for service dogs. Pets may not swim in the lake nor any pond. Please do not leave your pet unattended (in a car or otherwise) or tied to an object.
Do you assist boy and girl scouts with merit badges and projects?
Bays Mountain Park has a proud history of assisting boys and girl scouts with their merit badges and projects. For assistance, call 423-229-9447 and identify yourself as a scout needing assistance.
Do you accept injured animals?
While Bays Mountain Park does not, there are two wildlife rehabilitation facilities in our Northeast Tennessee area: Grassy Creek Wildlife (423-272-5535) and Wynnwood Wildlife (423-474-6220). While we are not a rehabilitation facility, if you cannot reach either of the previously mentioned experts, simply call Bays Mountain Park at 423-229-9447 and we will assist any way we can.
Do you have special astronomy viewings and events?
Some of the more unique, fascinating offerings at Bays Mountain Park are our StarWatch and SunWatch programs. Both of these are free events and are offered seasonally.
StarWatch offers an up close view of our night sky and takes place every Saturday night during the months of October and November and again in March and April. Viewers can expect to see the moon, constellations, planets and more.
SunWatch programs are offered every Saturday and Sunday from 3:00-3:30 p.m., March thru October. Attendees can see the sun thru the special filtered lenses of the telescopes used at our observatories.
Other events such as StarFest and Astronomy Day take place each year.
Do you use/need volunteers?
Yes! The success of our park hinges on our wonderful volunteers! Volunteer opportunities exist in our Herpetarium, Raptor Center, Farmstead Museum and more. Please see the “Volunteer Program” page here. For more information about volunteering contact Volunteer Coordinator Laura Ellis or call (423) 343-9727.
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