Location:

On the Caribbean island of St. John, one of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, about 80 miles southeast of Puerto Rico. The national park also includes Hassel Island, off the island of St. Thomas.

Vital Stats:

Nearest airports: Cyril E. King Airport on the island of St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix. Ferries connect both to the island of St. John.

Established: Virgin Islands National Park was established in 1956. Hassel Island, located in St. Thomas's Charlotte Amalie harbor, was added to the park in 1972.

Size: 7,000 acres. Also encompasses 5,650 acres of submerged land.

Park website: http://www.nps.gov/viis

Snapshot

Virgin Islands National Park features a variety of landscapes, from pristine white-sand beaches to deep valleys to underwater reefs. It is home to 50 coral species and many plant species. The island's history dates back more than a thousand years, with influences from the native Taino people, Danish settlers, and African slaves.

Did You Know?

In 1962, more than 5,600 acres of underwater terrain were added to Virgin Islands National Park to protect the area's coral gardens, marine life, and seascapes.

Much of St. John's vegetation is second-generation growth; most of the island was clear-cut in the colonial period to make way for sugar-cane production.

Scenic Drive

St. John's Centerline Road (Route 10) offers many dramatic vistas. At the Bordeaux Mountain Overlook, visitors can take in expansive views of Coral Bay and the Caribbean Sea—and, on clear days, the British Virgin Islands.