If you’re ready to probe the far reaches of the universe, experience the majesty of a mountain lake, come face-to-face with a wolfpack, and escape into the trails of the wilderness, then you have some diverse interests. Lucky for you, Chris Bainbridge has the perfect place for you.

Welcome to Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium!

Located in Kingsport, Tennessee, this gorgeous nature preserve began in the late 60s and 70s. To say it’s grown over the years would be an understatement. There’s a ton of treasure to explore at Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium.

Some of the original inhabitants of Bays Mountain include wolves, bobcats, foxes, and more. The animal habitats house creatures that are or were native to this region. If you’re looking for some quiet solitude, this might be the place for you. You can also participate in nature programs with park naturalists to learn more about what makes the flora-and-fauna of Bays Mountain special.

Check out the spectacular lake for fishing or get a little up-close and personal with the park’s aquatic life at The Watershed, a super cool aquarium in miniature that hosts various fish, reptiles, and amphibian species native to the park.

One of the remarkable things about Bays Mountain is its state-of-the-art planetarium theater. It’s the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere with over 7,000 projected stars, specialized projectors, and an experience that transports you to galaxies and solar systems beyond your imagination.

If you’re traveling from Georgia or the Carolinas, make a weekend out of it and point your family’s starship to Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. Get ready to be transported to a place that is equal parts wilderness, exploration, and outer space adventure.

To plan your visit, go to BaysMountain.com. And don’t forget to stop at the Ingles up the road to fuel up for the ride home.

To learn more about Ingles Market, visit their website at ingles-markets.com