Bays Mountain Park

Driving Directions

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 $4 entrance fee (effective 7/6/2011) or present pass.

Overall Park Map

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36.49487, -82.60517, Bays Mountain Park Main entrance gate (G) 36.50803,-82.61255, Lakeside Trail (G) 36.50863,-82.61184, Dolan Branch Trail (G) 36.52616,-82.58778 Intersection BMP Azalea Trail and BMP Bays Mountain Road (G) 36.506548,-82.631278 Crossroads with Back Hollow Road and [[BMP River Mountain Road|River Mountain Road (G) 36.497900,-82.627713 Crossroads with Bays Ridge Road and Front Hollow Road (G) 36.506548,-82.631278 Crossroads with Back Hollow Road and Lake Road At Feagin's Gap (G) 36.51147,-82.61314 Junction of Lakeside Trail and Towee Trail (G) 36.51272,-82.61330 Junction of Lake Road and Towee Trail (G) 36.51196,-82.61657 Junction of Lake Road and Hemlock Trail (G) 36.51094,-82.61563 Junction of Lakeside Trail and Hemlock Trail (G) 36.51206,-82.60772 Junction of Lakeside Trail and Fern Trail (G) 36.51337,-82.60574 Junction of Lake Road and Fern Trail (G) 36.50908,-82.62115 Junction of Lakeside Trail and Sweet Gum Trail (G) 36.50949,-82.62131 Junction of Lake Road, Sweet Gum Trail, and Chinquapin Trail (G) 36.51116,-82.61407 SW junction of Lakeside Trail and Holly Trail (G) 36.51143,-82.61215 NE junction of Lakeside Trail and Holly Trail (E) 36.51545, -82.62378 Garden Mountain/Kingsport Lookout Tower (G) 36.51202, -82.61669 Junction of Lake Road and Firetower Trail (G) 36.50721,-82.61369 Junction of Lakeside Trail and Pine Trail (G) 36.50708,-82.61358 Junction of Lake Road and Pine Trail (G) 36.50631,-82.61311 Junction of Bays Ridge Road and Pine Trail (G) 36.50349,-82.61893 Junction of Lake Road and Orchid Trail (G) 36.50049,-82.61786 Junction of Bays Ridge Road and Orchid Trail (G) 36.49603,-82.63158 Junction of Jones Road and Front Hollow Road by "Big Oak" (G) 36.49210,-82.63372 Junction of Jones Road andBays Ridge Road (G) 36.49777,-82.64269 Junction of Cross Ridges Trail and Back Hollow Road and Pretty Ridge Trail (G) 36.49683,-82.63629 Junction of Cross Ridges Trail and Cherry Knobs Trail (G) 36.49511,-82.63438 Junction of Cross Ridges Trail and Front Hollow Road (G) 36.50584,-82.61830 Junction of Cherry Knobs Trail and Lakeside Trail (G) 36.50342,-82.62847 Junction of Cherry Knobs Trail and Lake Road (G) 36.500972,-82.630974 Junction of Cherry Knobs Trail and Lake Road (E) 36.52726, -82.5861 Overlook of Kingsport downtown (G) 36.51262,-82.60520 Junction of Lake Road and Azalea Trail (G) 36.52614,-82.58772 Junction of Bays Mountain Road and Azalea Trail (G) 36.52221,-82.59283 Junction of Big Oak Trail and Azalea Trail (G) 36.51368,-82.60603 Junction of Lake Road and Big Oak Trail (G) 36.51452,-82.60601 Junction of Chinquapin Trail and Big Oak Trail (G) 36.51276,-82.61764 Junction of Chinquapin Trail and Firetower Trail (G) 36.50951,-82.62137 Junction of Chinquapin Trail and Lake Road

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Fees, Hours, Restrictions

There is a $4 gate fee (increased 7/6/2011) 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.

Links

Bays Mountain Park website link
Bays Mountain Hiking and Biking Trail Map link
Hiking Bill Fuller's trail logs - http://www.hikingbill.com/trail_systems/bays_mtn_trails.htm