Bays Mountain Park

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Bays Mountain Park
BMP Bays Mountain Park Sign.jpg
Park Type City Park
Located Kingsport, Tennessee
External Links Official Website

Official Trail Map

Entrance Fee $5.00 per vehicle
ActivitiesThings to do at the park HikingBikingGeocachingFishingClimbing
Park AmenitiesThings built to enjoy or use at the park Picnicking
FeaturesNatural things to see at the park VistasRiversLakesMountains
Park Trails

31 Trails / Total of 38.50 miles61.96 km <br />

Lodging Types None
Park Area 3,550 acres14.366 km² <br />
Operated By City of Kingsport
Main Location 36° 30' 30.49" N, 82° 36' 37.26" W Map
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Park Overview[edit]

Expansive city park with 31 trails covering a total of 38.50 miles for hiking and mountain biking. Also unique additional amenities of an animal habitats, ropes course with zip line, planetarium, and more...

How to get there[edit]

From I-26/I-81 crossing

  1. Head north on I-26.
  2. Get off at exit 3 (Meadow View Parkway).
  3. Turn left on Meadowview Parkway for about ¼ mile.
  4. Bear left at fork on to Reservoir Road.
  5. Proceed about 2 miles.
  6. Reservoir Road bears right (blue Bays Mountain sign).
  7. Proceed about 2 miles.
  8. Turn right on Bays Mountain Road.
  9. Proceed to the left and into park to pay entrance fee or present pass.

GPS Address: 853 Bays Mountain Park Road

Hiking[edit]

Park Trails[edit]

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 Chinquapin and Bear Run trails.


Park Trails Distance Difficulty Marking Usage Highlight
Azalea 1.37 mi Hard Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Back Hollow Road 1.94 mi Easy Signs

HikingGeocachingBiking

Barred Owl Trail 0.17 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocaching

Bays Mountain Road 2.08 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Bays Ridge Road 1.42 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Bays Ridge Trail 2.38 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Bear Run Trail 0.46 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Connects River Mountain Road and Indian Pipes Trail
Big Oak Trail 0.93 mi Easy Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Cherry Knobs 1.53 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocaching

Chestnut Trail 1.49 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocachingBiking

Chinquapin Trail 1.56 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocachingBiking

Cliffside Trail 0.76 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocaching

Cross Ridges Trail 0.64 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocachingBiking

Dolan Branch Trail 0.39 mi Easy Signs

HikingGeocaching

Fire Tower Trail 0.70 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Food Plot Road 0.37 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocaching

Front Hollow Road 1.70 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocachingBiking

Artery trail for loop hikes on southwest end of park
Hemlock Trail 0.10 mi Easy Signs

HikingGeocaching

Connects Lakeside Trail with Lake Road
Holly Trail 0.34 mi Easy Signs

HikingGeocaching

Indian Pipes Trail 1.91 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Jones Road 0.93 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocachingBiking

Kiner Hollow Trail 1.41 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Lake Road 4.33 mi Easy Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Lakeside Trail 2.32 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocaching

Laurel Run Trail 1.89 mi Medium White

HikingBikingGeocaching

Orchid Trail 0.27 mi Medium Signs

HikingGeocaching

Pine Trail 0.08 mi Easy Signs

HikingGeocaching

Pretty Ridge Trail 1.72 mi Hard Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

River Mountain Road 3.21 mi Medium Signs

HikingBikingGeocaching

Sweet Gum Trail 0.03 mi Easy Signs

HikingGeocaching

Towhee Trail 0.10 mi Easy Signs

HikingGeocaching

Hike Plans[edit]

The following hike plans have been created within the park

Hike plansHike distanceHike descriptionTrails used
Bays 15 Miler14.8 mi23.818 km <br />The route used by Skelton Law Racing in September every yearAzalea
Lakeside Trail
River Mountain Road
Lake Road (Bays Mountain Park)
Pretty Ridge Trail
Back Hollow Road
Indian Pipes Trail
Kiner Hollow Trail
Barred Owl Trail
Bays Structure Tour11 mi17.703 km <br />A long hike to see all of the abandoned homes, cabins, and barns within the parkLakeside Trail
Lake Road (Bays Mountain Park)
Pretty Ridge Trail
Front Hollow Road
Back Hollow Road
Laurel Run Trail
Kiner Hollow Trail
Cherry Knobs

Park Lodging[edit]

No lodging of any type is offered on the premises. Eastman employees and retirees may use the nearby company owned campground, others can choose stay at nearby hotels and other campgrounds.

Other Park Amenities[edit]

  • Picnic areas
  • Nature center
  • Planetarium
  • Zip line and ropes course
  • Lake barge rides
  • Animal exhibits
  • Homestead museum

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

There is a $7/vehicle gate fee (effective 7/1/2023) to enter the park. (Or free as benefit for park association members: $35 individual, $60 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!).

Photos[edit]