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| Island Attractions |
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| VI National Park |
| St. John Beaches & Hiking Trails |
The numerous hiking trails and historical back roads networking the park allow the visitor to explore the lush tropical forests and arid terrain that the island offers and see the many relics and ruins left by the Taino & Carib Indians, the era of the Danish sugar factories and slave culture. Much of the park's acres are underwater giving the park a well earned reputation for some the finest snorkeling and diving opportunities. Click on map to enlarge. The St. John Virgin Island National Park Visitors Center is located on the waterfront in Cruz Bay and is open daily between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. There you will find a video about the park, exhibits, brochures, maps, and pertinent books. Park Rangers and volunteers of the Friends of the Park are available to help plan your visit take advanced registrations and any transportation fees might be required. Kiosks staffed by Friends of the VI national Park can be found at Trunk Bay on the beach and at the Annaberg Ruins where you can get general park information, event schedules and obtain day-use or annual passes. Among regular park activities are ranger guided island hikes such as the Reef Bay Trail hike, a downhill hike which includes lunch and boat ride back to Cruz Bay, historical tours, cultural crafts and old-time cooking demonstrations, evening lectures, talks, slide shows and films held at Cinnamon Bay Campground and Maho Bay Camps describing the island history and the fauna, flora and marine life on St. John, guided snorkeling trips, beach walks, bird watching events and historic bus tours.  St.
John Virgin Islands National Parks: Information Index
Postal Address: Virgin Islands National Park, 1300 Cruz
Bay Creek , Cruz Bay, Saint John, VI 00830 or New Visitor Center,
Bldg. 130, Cruz Bay, St. John, VI 00830 Hours: The Virgin Islands National Park Visitor
Center is open daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with the exception
of Christmas Day. Park areas are open 24 hours a day year-round.
Park Fees: For most of the park and parks activities
there are no admission fees although donations are accepted. The
donation box is found at the Cruz Bay Visitor Center.
Accessibility: The Visitor Contact Station in Cruz Bay and picnic areas at Trunk Bay and Hawksnest beaches are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessibility to beaches and trails is extremely limited due to the steep topography of the island. Cinnamon Bay campground has several accessible campsites. Call the Park for more information.
An
overview of Ranger Led Activities: Reef Bay Hike Cinnamon Bay Walk & Discover Annaberg- visit the plantation ruins [Annaberg] Snorkeling Trips - Tuesdays at noon. Fascinating
view of coral and reef fishes. This is for experienced snorkelers,
novice snorkelers are encouraged to start with the self-guided underwater
tour [Trunk Bay]. User fee. [fees] Francis Bay Trail Trailhead Birdwalk : Early morning Bird Watching. Sundays at 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM . Reservations are required. Evening Programs Mondays at 7:30 PM and 8:30
PM held in the Cinnamon Bay Amphitheater. Informal talks and illustrated
presentations that examine plants, animals, marine life and culture
of the island.
A kiosk, open year round and staffed by Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park volunteers provides park information and sells use-passes. Park information is also posted on bulletin boards located throughout the Park. Facilities at Trunk Bay include showers; toilets, changing areas, telephones, covered picnic pavilion, a snack bar selling sandwiches, snacks and drinks; a watersports shop renting snorkel equipment, beach chairs and more; and a gift shop. Lifeguards on duty daily.
Available Facilities at Cinnamon Bay include an activity desk, snack bar, general store, restrooms, changing areas, telephones and a watersports center that rents snorkeling equipment, sea kayaks, windsurfers, kayaks, and mountain bikes. Day sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving lessons and excursions are available.
Camping in the VI National park is restricted to Cinnamon Bay Campground. During the winter season the campground is very popular so be sure to reserve months in advance by calling (340)776-6330, (800) 539-9998, or writing: Reservations Department, Cinnamon Bay Campground, PO Box 720, Cruz Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands 00831-0720. Accommodations include bare tent sites, sites with tent-covered platforms already set up, and cottages. See: [alternative accommodations] and be sure to visit the Virgin Islands National Park [camping page]
Self Guided Underwater Exploration: Trunk Bay has a 225-yard, self-guiding snorkeling trail clearly marked by underwater signs identifying coral reef life, fine for beginning snorkelers. Ranger guided Snorkeling Trips - Tuesdays at noon. This event is not for novice snorkelers.
Boats may use the moorings at Caneel Bay, Francis Bay and Maho Bay or anchor in the sand outside of the swim areas. Neither motored nor rowed boats are allowed in the marked swimming areas. 26 feet or less may follow marked channels to go ashore. Anchoring is prohibited at Salt Pond, Great Lameshur, Little Lameshur, Reef Bay and anywhere on the south shore. Moorings must be used at those places. For more information go to: Boating ~ Virgin Islands National Park
No fishing is allowed in Trunk Bay nor in any of the park's marked swimming areas. Otherwise fishing with handheld rods is allowed. Spear guns are prohibited anywhere in Park waters. Caribbean spiny lobster catch is limited to two per person per day and the carapace must be at least 3.5". Whelk season is October 1-March 30. Whelk must be larger than 2.5" and take is limited to 1 gallon per person per day. Conch season is October 1- June 30. Conch must be 9" long and take is limited to two per person per day. For further information go to: Fishing - Virgin Islands National Park
The Annaberg Sugar Plantation is a Use Fee Area. Daily and annual passes are sold at the entrance to Trunk Bay and the Annaberg Plantation. [fees] Built in the early 1700s, the ownership of Annaberg passed through many hands until it was finally bought in 1956 and became a part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Since then the ruins have been stabilized and many buildings restored. Now it attracts visitors from all over the world who follow the marked walking trail through the ruins and attend the many old-time cooking, gardening & craft demonstrations conducted by local residents using the traditional methods and materials. The grounds offer insight into the historical agricultural economy that sustained the island from the slavery years to present times. The parking is ample but does require a short uphill walk to the ruins.
Petroglyphs can be found along the Reef Bay Trail. These images carved in the rocks found by the freshwater pool just off the trail are pictures and symbols whose origin is still in dispute. The most commonly held belief is that they were left by Arawak Indians but there is another theory (believed by epigrapher Dr. Barry Fell) that they are African in origin. Relevant Links:
Visit the dig site just off the beach at the Cinnamon Bay Campground and if you want you can volunteer your time to help discover and preserve artifacts left by the Taino Indians and the remains of historic Danish plantations. This would be a hands-on experience great for learning about archaeology and a wonderful way to be introduced to St. John's rich past. Cinnamon Bay Digs: Find out more about the archaeological discoveries at Cinnamon Bay and how you can help participate in the uncovering and preservation of the found artifacts left by the Taino Indians and Danish sugar mill owners & slaves. Volunteering: No training is necessary, and no age restrictions. Locals and vacationers, youngsters of all ages, are finding that they are richly enhanced by taking part in this important project. You may fill out a form at this address or e-mail the Friends of the VI National Park: Tell them when you plan to be on the island and who in your party wants to volunteer. The help is always welcome and all participants will be rewarded by having an intriguing educational experience. For frequently asked questions go to Cinnamon Bay Dig - FAQs and for more historical information regarding the progress of this site read the Archives from the Dig.
Join the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park (http://www.friendsvinp.org/) and help to protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources of the VI National Park. Receive their newsletter, "Friends Tidings" and enjoy such benefits such as special rates at Maho Bay.
Cinnamon Bay Archaeology: Cinnamon Bay archaeological digs. Archaeology of the USVI - VIERS Official Government National Park Web Site Virgin Islands National Park Web Site
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