Bays Mountain Park Trail System
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.
Bays Mountain Park Trail System
City, Town, or County
Backcountry Trail
Frontcountry Trail
- Length
39.63 miles
- Elevation Gain
--
- Route Type
out & back
- Length
39.63 miles - Elevation Gain
-- - Route Type
out & back
Rising above the City of Kingsport, Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium features roughly 40 miles of trails ideal for hiking and mountain biking. From scenic,fun single-track trails to old service roads leading to the ridgetop fire tower, Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium's trails provide a great escape to the natural world.
Exploring Bays Mountain Park's Trails. Photo by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
32 Miles of trails for mountain biking
Location: In Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium located in Kingsport, TN
- States: Tennessee
- Counties: Sullivan, Hawkins
- Cities/Townships: Kingsport
With just a few miles of trails existing prior to Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium opening in 1971, today's trail system boasts roughly 40 miles of trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking thanks to the support and labor of early and present Park naturalists and maintenance crews, trail maintenance volunteers and the support of the Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association (SORBA). Today, each of these groups continues to work diligently to ensure a trail system for all to enjoy, consistent with best practices of maintaining trails in a nature preserve and stated designated natural area.
Located just 15 minutes from Downtown Kingsport, and with trails suitable for all levels of expertise - for hikers and mountain bikers alike, Bays Mountain Park has become a popular destination for those seeking a peaceful escape that only a scenic woodland can offer. Those seeking to maintain their healthy lifestyle also find the Park's trails to be a refreshing alternative to the sidewalks and tracks joggers typically use. In fact, several trail races are held at the Park each year ranging from a very challenging 50K ultramarathon to the more standard 5K option. Of course, being a nature preserve, the trails remain a great resource for those seeking to enjoy being in one of the most biodiverse locations in the world; a distinction consistent with woodlands found in the Appalachian Mountains.
An easy drive from any of the surrounding Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia cities and communities, and open year-round, Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium's trails receive significant use, including serving as an asset in educational, interpretive programming for students and the general public.
Accessibility Information
No text provided.
Allowed Uses:
Bicycling Dogs, on leash Hiking/Walking Snow, cross-country skiingOther Activities
- Heritage and history
- Snow, snow play general
- Wildlife viewing / observation
Public Contact
Rob ColeCity of Kingsport
853 Bays Mountain Park Rd.
Kingsport, TN 37660
[email protected] • 423-224-2436
Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.
More Details
- Elevation (low): 1400
- Elevation (high): 2405
- Elevation (cumulative): --
- Part of a Trail System? No
- Surface (primary): Soil
- Surfaces (additional): Grass or Vegetation, Rock, crushed
- Tread Width (average): 42"
- Tread Width (minimum): 33
- Running length (minimum): --
- Tread Grade (average, percent): --
- Tread Grade (maximum):
- Running length (maximum): --
- Cross-slope (average, percent): 0
- Cross-slope (maximum): --
- Running length (maximum): --
- Certified as an NRT
May 16, 2018