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Virgin Islands National Park

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Overview

Virgin Islands National Park's hills, valleys and beaches are breathtaking. While the pristine beaches in the park are one main attraction, the park has much to offer away from the water's edge. Miles of trails weave through tropical flora and fauna, allowing visitors to experience paradise from a new perspective. In addition to the natural wonders, within its 7,000 plus acres on the island of St. John, the park offers a complex and intriguing history of civilizations - both free and enslaved - dating back more than a thousand years to all who utilized the land and the sea for survival.

To learn more about Virgin Island National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
  • Visitor Center: Open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
  • Trunk Bay: Lifeguard on duty and beach facilities open from 9 am to 4 pm

Visiting Tips

Virgin Islands National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Fees & Passes:
There is no entrance fee to enter Virgin Islands National Park. Day use fees apply to Trunk Bay and for mooring or anchoring a boat at the bay. To learn more about park fees, click here

Camping & Lodging

While the park does not operate any lodging facilities, there are multiple options for those looking to extend their stay. Both the Cinnamon Bay Campground and the Caneel Bay Resort offer lodging within the park. Reservations can be made through their individual websites.

Food & Drink

There are a few spots to grab a quick beverage or a bite to eat while in the park. These include Eco Tours stand on Honeymoon Beach, the Caneel Bay Resort, the snack bar at Trunk Bay, and the Cinnamon Bay Campground. There are also countless dining options located outside of the park.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Guided Tours:
Virgin Islands National Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs that vary by season. All programs, unless otherwise specified, are free and open to the public. To learn more about these ranger-led programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.

Shuttles:
VITRAN buses leave from the public ferry dock at 20 minutes past the hour beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 7:25 p.m. daily. These buses travel along Centerline Road between Cruz Bay and Salt Pond Bay. For more information on the bus service and other methods of transportation on the island, click here. Please note that parking throughout the island and national park is very limited. Parking on the road is not permitted - be sure to use designated pull-outs or lots. At the popular north shore beaches, lots can fill by 10 a.m. Visitors are advised to utilize the park's bus or taxi service.

REI Adventures:
REI offers over 30 national park trips led by expert guides capable of showing you hidden gems and sights off the beaten path.

Check out REI Adventures' national park offerings here.

Other Activities

Visitors to Virgin Island National Park will enjoy the variety of aquatic activities present. Trunk Bay is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches and offers great opportunities for snorkeling. Cinnamon Bay rents snorkel gear and arranges windsurfing outings and scuba diving lessons. If you need a break from the water, there are multiple historic sites that preserve the history of the area. Visit the park's website for more information on the park's other activities.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.

Gems in Virgin Islands National Park - 7

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Trunk Bay ~ St. John

Trunk Bay

(12) Cruz Bay, VI
gem Favorite Resting at beach

Maho Bay Beach

(6) Cruz Bay, VI
gem Favorite Coral.

Waterlemon Cay

(12) Cruz Bay, VI
gem Favorite Cinnamon Bay, Saint John

Cinnamon Bay

(7) Cruz Bay, VI
gem Favorite Flowers along the trail.

Salt Pond Bay

(8) Cruz Bay, VI
gem Favorite Leaving the petroglyphs.

Taino Petroglyphs

(6) Cruz Bay, VI
gem Favorite Leinster Bay Trail, Virgin Islands National Park.

Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins

(2) Cruz Bay, VI

Recommended Routes in Virgin Islands National Park - 6

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Flowers along the trail.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Salt Pond Bay to Ram Head Point

2.5 mi 4.0 km 273' Up 83.31 m Up 274' Down 83.58 m Down

Cruz Bay, VI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Caneel Hill Outlook
Difficult Difficult

St. John Trail Tour

13.6 mi 22.0 km 2,646' Up 806.57 m Up 2,635' Down 803.02 m Down

Cruz Bay, VI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Francis Bay.
Easy Easy

Francis Bay Trail

1.0 mi 1.7 km 14' Up 4.17 m Up 14' Down 4.17 m Down

Cruz Bay, VI
Explore in 3D
Favorite View from American Factory ruins.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Cinnamon Bay Trail

1.9 mi 3.1 km 700' Up 213.25 m Up 699' Down 213.03 m Down

Cruz Bay, VI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Watch your step!
Difficult Difficult

Reef Bay Out and Back

3.4 mi 5.5 km 769' Up 234.46 m Up 761' Down 232.02 m Down

Cruz Bay, VI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Walk between sharp objects on the Lind Point Trail.
Intermediate Intermediate

Lind Point Loop

2.2 mi 3.6 km 148' Up 45.23 m Up 148' Down 45.21 m Down

Cruz Bay, VI
Explore in 3D

Virgin Islands National Park Hiking

  • 20 Miles 33 Kilometers of Trail
  • 6 Recommended Routes
  • 7 Gems Gems
  • 5 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 13 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 11 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!

Areas Within Virgin Islands National Park

Weather Averages


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Trails in Virgin Islands National Park - 23

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

2.3 mi 3.6 km #1Reef Bay Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
Intermediate Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
1.1 mi 1.8 km #2Leinster Bay Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
0.8 mi 1.4 km #3Ram Head Trail
Difficult Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
Difficult Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
1.5 mi 2.4 km #4Brown Bay Trail
Difficult Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
Difficult Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
0.4 mi 0.6 km #5Salt Pond Bay Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
1.5 mi 2.5 km #6Lameshur Bay Trail
Difficult Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
Difficult Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
1.6 mi 2.5 km #7Johnny Horn Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
2.1 mi 3.4 km #8Caneel Hill Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
1.6 mi 2.6 km #9Lind Point Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
Intermediate Intermediate
Cruz Bay, VI
0.7 mi 1.2 km #10Caneel Hill Spur
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Cruz Bay, VI

Photos of Virgin Islands National Park - 67

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Caneel Hill Outlook
Dec 22, 2015 near Cruz Bay, VI
Francis Bay.
Jan 7, 2016 near Cruz Bay, VI
Walk between sharp objects on the Lind Point Trail.
Jul 28, 2016 near Cruz Bay, VI
Lameshur Bays in December 2019
Jan 31, 2020 near Cruz Bay, VI
View in to Leinster Bay.
Feb 12, 2020 near Cruz Bay, VI
View of Leinster Bay from the trail to the ruins.
Feb 12, 2020 near Cruz Bay, VI
Cinnamon Bay, Saint John
Apr 3, 2020 near Cruz Bay, VI
View from the top of America Hill by the great house ruins looking out toward Mary Point
Apr 12, 2020 near Cruz Bay, VI
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