Once the seasons fade from frigid winter to the sudden, soothing temps of spring and early summer, folks in Tennessee start to emerge from their homes with a sense of purpose. There’s a whole new world to experience in the springtime (green fields! wildflower-studded hiking trails! beautiful lakes!), and there’s no reason to keep the beauty of the Volunteer State waiting. If you’re looking for a beautiful new space to explore, might we recommend the Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium? It’s a true beauty, and it deserves a spot on your warm-weather bucket list. Learn more about it below!

Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium - Facebook
Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium is located in Kingsport, Tennessee, and boasts more than 3,000 acres of protected natural beauty.
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium - Facebook
The nature preserve not only boasts a 44-acre lake but 38 miles of hiking trails that lend themselves to folks on foot or looking to indulge in a bit of mountain biking. The Farmstead Museum is well worth a visit, and there's even a Planetarium Theater with a massive, 40-foot dome.
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium - Facebook
The dual wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve has long since entertained East Tennesseans. The park hosts a series of daily events and planetarium programs throughout the year, and they're open to everyone from single visitors and school groups.

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Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium - Facebook
32 miles of hiking trails are approved for mountain biking, and you can either download a park map from the Bays Mountain Park website or obtain one from the nature center. There's nothing like riding amidst Tennessee's grand natural beauty, especially in Kingsport.
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium - Facebook
When you're hiking in the Bays Mountain Park, make sure to keep in mind that it operates as a nature preserve. You're bound to run into wildlife, and you'll want to make sure you respect both animals and the delicate ecosystem by staying on the trails. If you're a geocaching fan, there are several in the park as well! There's no end to the adventure.
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium - Facebook
You can even plan your hike around certain points of interest, especially regarding the waterfalls and lake loop. If you're looking for a peek at a few beautiful water features, try out the Dolan Branch, Lily Pad Cove, or Fire Tower hikes.
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium
Will you be joining sometime in the future? Do you have any tips and tricks for a visit to Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

You can learn more about this day trip opportunity with a visit to the Bays Mountain Park official website.

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Bays Mountain Park Road, Bays Mountain Park Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660, USA