Park Hours, Fees & Permits
Open all year, Bays Mountain Park beckons visitors to enjoy various activities through all seasons. The Park is closed only on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
- Regular Hours
- Summer Hours
- Winter Hours
March-May & September-October
Park Grounds
Monday - Friday: |
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Saturday: |
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM |
Sunday: |
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Nature Center
Monday - Friday: |
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Saturday: |
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Sunday: |
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
June - August
Park Grounds
Monday - Friday: |
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM |
Saturday: |
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM |
Sunday: |
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Nature Center
Monday - Friday: |
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
Saturday: |
12:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
Sunday: |
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
November thru February
Park Grounds
Monday - Friday: |
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Saturday: |
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Sunday: |
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Nature Center
Monday - Friday: |
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
Saturday: |
12:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Sunday: |
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Occasionally, the Park is closed because of hazardous conditions (icy roads, mostly). During snowy weather, please call ahead for Park conditions, (423)229-9447.
Entrance Fees
Entrance to the park is $3.00 per car and $12.00 per bus (school bus or larger). Park Association members must present a current membership card for entrance to the park.
For educational programs, school buses from Sullivan and Hawkins counties are waived the entrance fee.
Public Program Fees
Bays Mountain Park offers a wide variety of public programs. Tickets for all programs may be purchased at the Gift Shop in the Nature Center and are only available on the day of the program.
*New pricing effective July 1, 2010.
- Planetarium Theater Astronomy Shows: $4 per person for ages 6 and older.
Children 5 and under will receive a free pass. - Nature Programs: $2.00 per person.
- Barge Rides: $3.00 per person.
- Park Association members will receive free passes to programs.
Group Rates
Group rates apply to parties of 15 or more and must be scheduled in advance. Entrance fees for groups are the same as listed above.
*New pricing effective July 1, 2010.
Groups may attend one of our regularly scheduled public programs or arrange for a private program. When attending a regularly scheduled public program, we will hold reserved tickets for your group until 15 minutes prior to the program time.
Public Program Group Rates:
- Planetarium Theater Astronomy Shows: $3 per person including children of all ages.
- Nature Programs: $1.50 per person.
- Barge Rides: $3.00 per person. (Limited to 25 people)
Private Program Group Rates:
- Planetarium Theater Astronomy Shows: $200 for the group.
- Nature Programs: $100
- Barge Rides: $100 (Limited to 25 people)