Piney Flats Bicycles and Fitness Bays Mountain Park Trails

Bays Mountain Park

All bikes must be inspected by park personnel at the gift shop for a one time fee of $3.00.
Riders must sign a waiver; if under 18 a parent or guardian must sign prior to riding.
Bike cannot be used to enter or leave the park through the guard gate and must be hauled in.
Bikes are are allowed only on unpaved service and utility roads. Bikes are not allowed on trails, footpaths, habitat areas, or the dam walk. Bikes must be pushed in the parking lot to gain access to the permitted roads.
The riding of bicycles through wilderness areas is forbidden.

I-26 becomes I-181N at Kingsport
Take exit 52 (at Meadowview Conference Center), turn left at the red light onto Reservoir Road
Continue on Reservoir Road for approximately 3 miles, Turn right onto Bays Mountain Park Road
Take the left fork and continue up the mountain.

Take exit 57-B onto I-181N
Take exit 52 (at Meadowview Conference Center), turn left at the red light onto Reservoir Road
Continue on Reservoir Road for approximately 3 miles, Turn right onto Bays Mountain Park Road
Take the left fork and continue up the mountain.

Length: 4.8 miles
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Description: Lake road consists of a gravel and dirt road that circles the lake. This road is mostly flat except for a few small rolling hills. The exception is the section of trail from Ledbetter Gap to Feagins Gap, which contains more difficult climbing and fast descending.

Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Description: Bays Mountain Road travels the ridge between the Fire Tower and the antennas on gravel/dirt roads. The road is mostly rolling but does contain some moderately difficult climbing. The Fire Tower provides a good view of the park and of Kingsport.

Length: 7 miles
Difficulty: difficult
Description:This service road climbs from Lake Road at Feagins Gap up to Bays Mountain Road. The descent of River Mountain Road is fast with off camber turns and rocks. Try riding up for a hard steady climb.

Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: moderate to difficult
Description: The Bays Ridge Trail is a blast to ride in both directions. Expect a challenging climb followed by a super-fast descent on this singletrack trail.

Length: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Description: The Azalea Trail consist of mostly wide singletrack. The tightness of this trail along with a couple of small creek crossings make this trail a little more technical than the service roads. The gradual climb of the Azalea trail from Lake Road allows an easier route to the antennas. The descent from down the Azalea trail from the antennas to Lake Road is worth the climb.

Length: 12 miles
Difficulty: moderate
Description: The Bays Mountain Bike Rally, held annually during Kingsport's Fun Fest in late July/early August, is extremely popular among local riders. The course begins on Lake Road at the dam. After 1.3 miles of flat dirt road the course turns left at Ledbetter gap and climbs the steep ascent to Cherry Knobs. A fast descent then drops down to Feagins Gap where the course makes a sharp right and continues around the lake on rolling terrain. After passing the maintenance building on the left the course turns left up a steep .5 mile gravel climb to the observation tower. The course continues on rolling terrain for 1.5 miles to the antennas. The next 2.5 miles ascends to the fire tower on rolling terrain with some moderately steep hills. After reaching the tower you are treated to the fast .7 mile descent of River Mountain Road. This descent drops you down to Feagins Gap once again. A left turn leads you via mostly flat, dirt road back to the finish at the maintenance building. The winning racers finish this 12 mile course in under 50 minutes.

More information about the park can be found by going to the Bays Mountain Park Website.