Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium

A beautiful area with some beautiful wildlife! Not to mention a very nice playground setup for the kids. An underrated gem in East Tennessee for a few hours, short walk through the park!

Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium is one of those places where you could really spend the day here. The park is huge with great trails, peaceful lake views, and lots of wildlife to see. The planetarium is a cool bonus so check for show times. You can even do a boat ride which makes it more of a full experience. Pack a picnic lunch and play on the playground.

Best $7 I've ever spent! We loved the new playground, the herpetarium, and the wolves. Even on a chilly day, it was a wonderful opportunity to get the kids outside and explore all the fun newly constructed spots.

This place is all about slowing down and enjoying the world around you. Don’t come here if you expect to be entertained unless it’s while watching one of the shows at the planetarium. Come here fully expecting to see nature at its best. One of the most beautiful park areas I have ever been to as a child. We took trips to Bay Mountain and it was always a highlight of the school year. Make sure you buy a yearly pass. It will save you so much money and help support the park. When my girls were younger, I used to take them to the park with packed lunches and just enjoy the scenery around us while we had lunch.

Beautiful hiking trails, very well maintained and clearly marked. Walked up to the fire tower and back. The animal exhibits were a plus, went for a gorgeous hike, got to see foxes, wolves, a bunch of birds of prey, and a bobcat all were visible and looked healthy and well cared for.