Bays Mountain Park
Expansive city park with 34 miles of trails for hiking and mtn biking, animal habitats, ropes course with zip line, planetarium, and more...
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Driving Directions
From I-26/I-81 crossing
- Head north on I-26.
- Get off at exit 3 (Meadow View Parkway).
- Turn left on Meadowview Parkway for about ¼ mile.
- Bear left at fork on to Reservoir Road.
- Proceed about 2 miles.
- Reservoir Road bears right (blue Bays Mountain sign).
- Proceed about 2 miles.
- Turn right on Bays Mountain Road.
- Proceed to the left and into park to pay $4 entrance fee (effective 9/1/2011) or present pass.
Overall Park Map
Fees, Hours, Restrictions
There is a $4 gate fee (increased 9/1/2011) to enter the park. (Or free as benefit for park association members: $25 individual, $35 family per year)
The park grounds are open
- During March-May/September-October
- Mon-Fri: 8:30AM-5:00PM, Sat: 8:30AM-8:00PM, Sun: 12:00PM-8:00PM
- During June-August
- Same as above, plus until 8:00PM weekdays
- During November-February
- Closing at 5:00PM every day.
Dogs are allowed at Bays Mountain Park, but not around the animal habitats, thus please skirt using Lake Road.
Mountain bikes are allowed, upon inspection, on designated trails (thus carry a map to know where!).
Trails
The most popular park hiking trails are Lakeside (with side trip on Holly) and Firetower. Those going mountain biking enjoy the main park roads (not the Hollows) and the newly constructed Chinquapin and Bear Run trails.
| Trail | Difficulty | Trail Distance | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azalea Trail | Medium | 1.4 miles |  
|
| Back Hollow Road | Difficult | 1.9 miles |
|
| Bays Mountain Road | Medium | 2.1 miles |
|
| Bays Ridge Road | Medium | 1.4 miles |
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| Bays Ridge Trail | Difficult | 2.6 miles |
|
| Bear Run Trail | Medium | 0.5 mile |
|
| Big Oak Trail | Medium | 1.0 mile |
|
| Cherry Knobs Trail | Difficult | 1.6 miles |
|
| Chestnut Trail | Easy | 1.1 miles |
|
| Chinquapin Trail | Easy | 1.85 miles |
|
| Cliffside Trail | Medium | 0.5 mile |
|
| Cross Ridges Trail | Medium | 0.7 mile |
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| Dolan Branch Trail | Easy | 0.3 mile |
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| Fern Trail | Easy | 0.2 mile |
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| Firetower Trail | Medium | 0.7 mile |
|
| Food Plot Trail | Easy | 0.45 mile |
|
| Front Hollow Road | Medium | 1.8 miles |
|
| Hemlock Trail | Easy | 0.1 mile |
|
| Holly Trail | Easy | 0.4 mile |
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| Indian Pipes Trail | Medium | 2.0 miles |
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| Jones Road | Medium | 0.3 mile |
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| Kiner Hollow Trail | Medium | 1.6 miles |
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| Lake Road | Easy | 4.4 miles |
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| Lakeside Trail | Easy | 2.3 miles |
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| Laurel Run Trail | Medium | 2.0 miles |
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| Orchid Trail | Easy | 0.4 mile |
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| Pine Trail | Easy | 0.1 mile |
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| Pretty Ridge Trail | Medium | 2.1 miles |
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| River Mountain Road | Medium | 2.1 miles |
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| Sweet Gum Trail | Easy | 150 feet |
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| Towhee Trail | Easy | 0.1 mile |
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Links
Bays Mountain Park website link
Bays Mountain Hiking and Biking Trail Map link
