A 3,500-acre nature preserve and science center perched atop Bays Mountain above Kingsport, featuring a live animal complex with river otters, wolves, and raptors, a barge ride on the reservoir, an observatory-grade planetarium, and over 35 miles of hiking trails. Bays Mountain is consistently rated one of the best free-to-low-cost nature destinations in the Tri-Cities. The planetarium hosts frequent public programs on astronomy and laser shows for families.