| Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
 | |
| Location | Kingsport, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36°32′50″N 82°33′43″W / 36.547299°N 82.561839°W |
| Area | 3,750 acres (15.2 km2) |
| Created | 1965 |
| Operated by | City of Kingsport |
| Open | Year Around |
| Website | www |
.jpg)
Bays Mountain Park is a 3,750 acres (15.2 km2) nature park and planetarium located on Bays Mountain in Kingsport, Tennessee. Opened in 1971,[1] it features a 44 acre lake, over 40 miles of hiking trails,[2] a nature center with a planetarium theater, fire tower, and animal habitats.
Its nature center and outdoor native animal displays include bobcats, a raptor center and gray wolves, among other exhibits.[3] There is also a herpetarium housing reptiles and amphibians.
The park also features an educational pontoon boat ride attraction that runs through the Bays Mountain Reservoir, called the Barge Ride.[4]
Other activities include hiking, orienteering, mountain biking, camping, and fishing.[5] There is also the Steadman Heritage Farmstead Museum, a 19th-century period living history farm museum.
In 2017, the Pavilion at Lily Pad Cove was added for events rentals and special events and in 2019, 75 extra parking spots were added to alleviate peak season parking issues.
It is the largest city-owned park in Tennessee.[6]
- ^ "Celebrating 50 Years of Adventure at Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium". Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "Hiking & Biking". Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "Park Overview". Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Barge Rides". Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "Camping & Fishing". Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "Park Overview".