Bays Mountain Park
Bays Mountain Park | |
---|---|
Park Type | City Park |
Located | Kingsport, Tennessee |
External Links | Official Website |
Entrance Fee | $7.00 per vehicle |
ActivitiesThings to do at the park | |
Park AmenitiesThings built to enjoy or use at the park | |
FeaturesNatural things to see at the park | |
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 |
| |
Show In Google Maps |
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
- 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 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 | ||
Back Hollow Road | 1.94 mi | Easy | Signs | ||
Barred Owl Trail | 0.17 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Bays Mountain Road | 2.08 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Bays Ridge Road | 1.42 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Bays Ridge Trail | 2.38 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Bear Run Trail | 0.46 mi | Medium | Signs | Connects River Mountain Road and Indian Pipes Trail | |
Big Oak Trail | 0.93 mi | Easy | Signs | ||
Cherry Knobs | 1.53 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Chestnut Trail | 1.49 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Chinquapin Trail | 1.56 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Cliffside Trail | 0.76 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Cross Ridges Trail | 0.64 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Dolan Branch Trail | 0.39 mi | Easy | Signs | ||
Fire Tower Trail | 0.70 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Food Plot Road | 0.37 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Front Hollow Road | 1.70 mi | Medium | Signs | Artery trail for loop hikes on southwest end of park | |
Hemlock Trail | 0.10 mi | Easy | Signs | Connects Lakeside Trail with Lake Road | |
Holly Trail | 0.34 mi | Easy | Signs | ||
Indian Pipes Trail | 1.91 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Jones Road | 0.93 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Kiner Hollow Trail | 1.41 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Lake Road | 4.33 mi | Easy | Signs | ||
Lakeside Trail | 2.32 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Laurel Run Trail | 1.89 mi | Medium | White | ||
Orchid Trail | 0.27 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Pine Trail | 0.08 mi | Easy | Signs | ||
Pretty Ridge Trail | 1.72 mi | Hard | Signs | ||
River Mountain Road | 3.21 mi | Medium | Signs | ||
Sweet Gum Trail | 0.03 mi | Easy | Signs | ||
Towhee Trail | 0.10 mi | Easy | Signs |
Hike Plans[edit]
The following hike plans have been created within the park
Hike plans | Hike distance | Hike description | Trails used |
---|---|---|---|
Bays 15 Miler | 14.8 mi23.818 km <br /> | The route used by Skelton Law Racing in September every year | Azalea 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 Tour | 11 mi17.703 km <br /> | A long hike to see all of the abandoned homes, cabins, and barns within the park | Lakeside 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!).