Virgin Islands National Park, National Park in St. John, US Virgin Islands
National Park

Virgin Islands National Park

St. John · US Virgin Islands

Overview

About Virgin Islands National Park.

Go beyond Virgin Islands National Park's stunning white-sand beaches. Hike to historic plantation sites to learn about a challenging past when sugar and enslaved labor dominated life on the island. Visit the Indigenous Taino's ancient petroglyphs. Snorkel coral reefs to discover hidden marine life. Two-thirds of the island of St. John is national park, making it a unique destination for visitors.

Arts and CultureCraft DemonstrationsCultural DemonstrationsAstronomyStargazingBoatingMotorized BoatingSailingCampingCar or Front Country CampingFishingFly Fishing

Weather

Mostly Perfect! The Tradewinds (the Easterlies) dominate the weather in the Virgin Islands, blowing east to west across the tropical Atlantic. The winter tends to bring stronger winds and less rain, and the summer tends to bring more rain and lighter winds. Be sure to check the forecast often during hurricane season or winter swell events.

Key Facts

TypeNational Park
DesignationNational Park

Official Website

Gallery

Photos of Virgin Islands National Park.

5 images

Things to do

Discover Virgin Islands National Park.

The remains of impressive stone building give a sense of the time of earlier days on St. John

Annaberg Sugar Plantation

1-2 Hours

Take a self-guided tour of the Annaberg Sugar Plantation and immerse yourself in the time when "Sugar was King" on the island. Volunteer docents are often available during weekdays to answer questions. You are invited to tour the small country garden and learn about traditional uses of plants with Mr. Charles most weekdays,

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A wooden viewing platform at the top of the hill provides sweeping views of forest and ocean.

Caneel Hill Trail

30-60 Minutes

Hiking trails in the park provide an excellent way to experience the beauty of the landscape and the rich natural and cultural history of the park/

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Cinnamon Bay Beach

Cinnamon Bay Beach and Snorkeling

1-8 Hours

Cinnamon Bay offers a long gently sloping snow white beach to stick your toes in, or go for a leisurely stroll. The crystal clear waters provide many delights for even a novice snorkeler. Turtles and fish of all sizes and colors can be seen here.

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Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins

Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop And Accessible Trail

30-60 Minutes

Cinnamon Bay Plantation was established in 1717 and was one of the earliest and most prosperous sugar plantations on the Island. In 1903, the Danish West India Plantation Company bought Cinnamon Bay and began growing bay rum trees to produce bay leaf oil, which was used in popular colognes and lotions known as St. John Bay Rum.

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Cinnamon Bay Self Guided Trail

Cinnamon Bay Trails

15-30 Minutes

Meander through the ruins of the historic Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation. Smell the scent of the leaves from the bay rum trees, which were once used to make the famous St John Bay Rum Cologne. The boardwalk and nature loop are located across the road from the entrance to the Cinnamon Bay Campground. The nature loop is an easy 0.5 mile hike. For a more adventurous hike, try the strenuous 1 mile Cinnamon Bay Trail which begins east of the ruins. Hike uphill through a shaded for

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Two birds walking on the beach

Discover Bird Watching in the Virgin Islands

90 Minutes

Join our Park Ranger for a tour of Francis Bay Trail and the nearby salt pond. While there you will enjoy to opportunity to view the many resident and migratory birds that call Francis Bay home.

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Frances Bay Board Walk and viewing platform

Francis Bay Trail

30-90 Minutes

Francis Bay Trail starts at the Francis Bay Sugar Factory. It continues past the Mary's Point Estate house and around a salt pond. The dry tropical forest and salt pond provide an excellent opportunity to view birds. The lower portion of the trail is an accessible boardwalk that continues through the mangroves to the two viewing platforms.

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Elkhorn and Blue Tang at Hawksnest Bay

Hawksnest Bay

Hawksnest Bay offers three fingers of mostly Elkhorn coral reefs to snorkel. It is not advisable to snorkel directly over the reef. The Elkhorn corals are a federally protected species and extremely fragile. Snorkeling around the fingers you will see many juvenile fish and other reef creatures in and among the branches of the Elkhorn corals.

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Lind Point Trail Sign to Overlook

Hike the Lind Point Trails

20-40 Minutes

The Lind Point Trail starts just behind the park visitor center and ends at breathtaking Honeymoon Bay or Solomon Bay. The trail offers several spurs one of which heads to the overlook. Stop and rest on the bench as you watch the boats sail by.

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