Built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Bays Mountain Park Fire Tower (ET-12) served the Forestry Service into the 1960s. This 60-ft tower is perched on 2,300-ft Holston River Mountain, allowing a view for miles in every direction.

That’s right! Technically this Fire Tower isn’t located on Bays Mountain but is found on Holston River Mountain, the ridge that borders Bays Mountain Park on the northern edge.

This fascinating article in the 1953 Kingsport Times-News explains what life was like for a fire tower lookout living at the base of the tower.