Bays Mountain

Bays Mountain supports numerous plant communities in a relatively un-fragmented forest ecosystem. Pine and oak forest are distributed on ridges and drier upper slopes, whereas more moist forest conditions at lower elevations support a more mesic forest of sugar maple, tulip poplar, and white oak. Hemlock and white pine are found in more restricted locations. Species more commonly associated with the nearby Blue Ridge such as striped maple, yellow birch, rosebay and Catawba rhododendron are also found here.

The park and natural area are managed by the City of Kingsport. There are various facilities including large outdoor animal habitats for wolves, bobcats, otters, deer, and other animals native to this region. There are 25 miles of hiking trails through vast forestland. Bays Mountain Park and State Natural Area offers dramatic views from the tops of Bays Mountain and Holston River Mountain. You may obtain more specific information on the park and its programs, amenities, hours of operation, and regulations by visiting the Bays Mountain web site.

Site Management

City of Kingsport, Sullivan County, Tennessee. Contact: Bays Mountain Park, 853 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport, TN 37660, phone (423) 229-9447; Division of Natural Areas, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37243, phone (615) 532-0431; Division of Natural Areas – East TN Office, 3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921, phone (865) 594-5601.

Public Access

Open to the Public - Full Access

Parking: Yes

Trail: Yes

Dogs on Leash: Yes

Hunting: No

Fishing: No

Camping: No

Entry fee. Parking. Trails. Lake. Animal enclosures. Planetarium. Public programs.  For hours, entrance fee, and allowed
activities, visit the Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium web page.

Directions

From I-26 southeast of Kingsport, Tennessee, take exit 3 (Meadowview Conference Center), at the light turn west onto Reservoir Road and continue for approximately three miles, turn right onto Bays Mountain Park Road, take the left fork and continue up the mountain to the park.

Details & Map

Map to Bays Mountain
Owned City of Kingsport
Kingsport, Church Hill, Sullivan Gardens & Lovelace 7.5-minute quadrangles
Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province
Designated in 1973