Bays Mountain Rentals
Bays Mountain Park is a great place to host a special function like a corporate meeting, wedding, birthday party and more!
Our park staff will be happy to work with you to plan your special event. We do have a large number of folding tables and chairs for use at no extra cost. Note: All rentals are dependent upon available venues, materials, staff and scheduling. Please use the link above to reserve the Discovery Theater Classroom, Farmstead Museum or the Pavilion. Or, you contact the park at (423) 229-9447 with your questions or if you have a larger rental need.
Available Venues:
Park Grounds – You can rent the general grounds before/after regular park hours. This is necessary if a rental is held past Park hours. 2 hour minimum charge.
Nature Center – You can rent the large Nature Center building before/after its regular open hours. This includes the main lobby and tree-covered balcony.
Pavilion at Lily Pad Cove – You can rent this multi-use, outdoor pavilion on the lake for a variety of events including weddings, school programs, speaking engagements, music, private and/or corporate socials and more. Rental includes use of up to 80 chairs, tables, and parking for guests.
Discovery Theater – You can rent this large class/meeting room for birthday parties, club meetings and more. It has a vinyl tile floor for easy clean up.
Farmstead Museum – You can rent this large log structure complete with rustic exhibits and displays. The main level is best for smaller groups. The upper level can handle 100, but is served by one staircase.
Amphitheater – This venue can only be rented after hours. It is an open-air amphitheater with a large wooden stage and seating for about 200.
Day Camp Cabin (Old Caretaker’s Cabin) – This is a small log house situated near the observatory grounds. It has a small kitchenette (no stove), it’s own bathroom and an intimate space for a small, private meeting.
Picnic Shelters – These covered picnic areas are free to use as they cannot be reserved.
Pricing & City Policy on Liability Insurance:
For a quick list of room prices:
Park Grounds before/after regular park hours: $150/hour; 2 hour minimum
Pavilion at Lily Pad Cove: $150/four hour block (Monday – Thursday), $250/four hour block (Friday – Sunday), $75/each additional hour
Discovery Theater/Classroom: $35/hour
Farmstead: $100/hour
Nature Center: $200/hour
Amphitheater: $20/hour (after hours only)
Cabin: $50/hour
A complete pricing list for all rooms, buildings, grounds and more will be listed in a PDF document soon.
Anyone interested in renting any of our venues should read this document. It details the City of Kingsport rules that must be followed. It’s most important topic includes the use of alcohol on city property.
Please note the City of Kingsport’s policy on serving food at a rented facility: All served foods and drinks must be professionally prepared. These can range from items purchased at a small restaurant or grocery store up to catered service.
Just a Few Rental Examples:
1. Child’s Birthday Party: Usually a family will want to reserve the Discovery Theater for 2 or 3 hours and plan on attending a planetarium or nature show. The parent will call ahead of time, usually weeks in advance, and reserve the room and a certain number of tickets for a program. The parent can be charged (if desired) for all vehicle entrance fees, room rental, and program tickets and pay for all at one time at the gift shop. Note: food, drink, gum, and candy are not allowed in the planetarium theater. The parent will also provide any professionally prepared food, cake, drink, decorations, etc. for the party as we do not have concessions. Tables, chairs, and garbage cans will be provided at no extra charge, but the group is responsible for setting up the room. The room rental time length will need to include setup beforehand and cleanup afterwards as the room may be needed for a public program just before or afterwards. A short party usually requires a 2 hour minimum reservation. Note, alcohol may not be served at children’s parties.
2. Semi-Large Gathering in Farmstead Museum: Many large groups (50-100) rent the Farmstead Museum for a meeting, dinner, and then an evening program (planetarium, wolf howling). Applicable fees would include Farmstead rental, park grounds rental (2-hour min.), and special program fees. We will provide programs, Farmstead, tables, chairs, large projection screen, trash cans, and trash removal. The renter will provide professionally prepared food or hire a caterer, any tableware, cloths, computer, projector, audio equipment, etc. and be responsible for set up. If alcohol is to be served, it must be after park hours and the renter must show proof of insurance, following guidelines in the City of Kingsport document.
3. Large Gathering in the Park: We have had very large groups (200-400) attend. They may have a tent set up, use the Farmstead Museum as the base camp for meals, or have food and drink stations set up on the Nature Center balcony and other areas of the park. Multiple programs will be offered in a round-robin method to accommodate the numbers as each program is limited to about 100 people. Guests may wander the animal habitats, walk along the lake, see a planetarium and nature program, or attend a musical performance provided by the renter. We will provide programs, Farmstead and trash removal. Applicable fees would include Farmstead rental, park grounds rental (2-hour min.) and special program fees. The renter will provide professionally prepared food or hire a caterer, tables, tableware, cloths, projector, audio equipment, chairs, tents, trash cans, etc. and be responsible for set up. If alcohol is to be served, it must be after park hours and the renter must show proof of insurance, following guidelines in the City of Kingsport document.