A Day In The Park: Virgin Islands National Park

Within the National Park System are various units focusing on particulars such as mountains, archaeology, deserts, geology, and wetlands. There are also units located within tropical paradises replete with clear, turquoise-tinted waters, lush vegetation, sandy beaches, and shallow reefs upon which live fantastically-shaped corals and sea life sporting every color of the rainbow. These units focus on the sea and the life within. Virgin Islands National Park is one such paradise surrounded by warm Caribbean waters, where you can hike through mountainous forests to view ancient petroglyphs, swim with sea turtles, angelfish, groupers and grunts, and learn a tumultuous history of pirates, sugar plantations, and slavery.

Be honest, you know you’ve always wanted a Caribbean vacation, so why not visit this national park, while you are at it. Of the three main islands comprising the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix), this national park covers over 60 percent of St. John Island. Cruise or fly to St. Thomas and take a car barge or people ferry to St. John. Once there, stop off at the visitor center then begin your national park adventure with a hike into the mountains, a day on the beach with a little bit of snorkeling, or a trip to the Annaberg Plantation ruins, the best-preserved piece of archaeology in the park.

Speaking of hiking, there are not that many trails and they aren’t very long, but you’ll be introduced to amazing views of Taino petroglyphs dating back to perhaps 900 A.D., and vistas overlooking bays and blue waters on which bob sailboats and catamarans.

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Trails I've Hiked: Reef Bay Trail, Virgin Islands National Park

The steep, downhill tilt that runs for nearly the first half-mile beyond the trailhead of the
Reef Bay Trail definitely catches your attention, mainly because you realize the uphill grunt that awaits your return after you've hiked to the Caribbean Sea not quite 3 miles away.

But those thoughts are easily stowed as you wander through thick forest, one with mango and lime trees as well as tamarind trees, kapok trees, and various palm species that make it easy to remember the tropical environment you're in.

To read more about this hike, head over to this page.

Of course, the stars of the show in this national park are the bright, sandy beaches lining bays offering superb  snorkeling around colorful corals in clear, warm waters. You could spend your entire visit sunning and swimming. But there’s more to do, you know, including boating, fishing, and exploring historic sites.

While you pack for your Virgin Islands adventure, don’t forget to bring your binoculars and camera.

According to park staff:

There are 140 species of birds, 302 species of fish, 7 species of amphibians, 22 species of mammals and 740 species of plants inhabiting the Island. In addition there are about 50 corals species and numerous gorgonians, and sponges providing St. Johnian's and visitors with some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world.

Seven years after back-to-back hurricanes ravaged the Caneel Bay Resort at Virgin Islands National Park, and following years of legal wrangling, the National Park Service is beginning the search for a concessionaire to bring lodging back to the scenic setting. In the meantime, though, there still is no lodging within the national park. St. John offers resorts as well as Vrbo and Airbnb house rentals. Alternatively, you can pitch a tent at Cinnamon Bay, the only beach in the park with a public campground.

If you need a few ideas for spending your days at Virgin Islands National Park, check out this Traveler article on spending at least three days in the park, and this Traveler’s Checklist on negotiating a visit to St. John and the park.

Traveler's Choice For: Snorkeling, swimming, beaches, archaeology