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: 14,737.
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.
Best Hikes
(All distances cited are for one-way treks, not round-trip.)
The half-mile Francis Bay Trail explores the park's wetlands, including mangrove forests and a salt pond. A big attraction here: The many birds, both migratory and resident, that can be spotted. The trail also winds through a scrub forest and past the Francis Bay Estate House, and ends at a quiet beach. A boardwalk along the salt pond offers good opportunities for bird-watching.
Hikers will find an abundance of plant life along the 2.2-mile Reef Bay Trail. The trail passes by the remains of four sugar estates and some abandoned farming communities. A detour at the 1.5-mile point leads to the Petroglyphs Trail, which highlights rock carvings by the island's pre-Columbian Taino inhabitants. A guided hike is also available.
The 0.2-mile Annaberg School Area Trail visits one of the oldest public schoolhouses in the Caribbean. An exhibit describes the schoolhouse's early days; the trail offers spectacular views of Mary Point, Leinster Bay, and Tortola. www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm
Other trails
In Trunk Bay, there is a 225-yard-long snorkeling trail. Underwater informational plaques along the route provide facts about coral reefs and other marine life.
Top Experiences
If you only have one hour at the park, take the self-guided trail at either Annaberg or Cinnamon sugar mill. If you have several hours at the park, board a safari taxi to some of the scenic overlooks. If you have a full day or more, try the six-hour hike to Reef Bay. Good snorkeling sites include Watermelon Bay, for parrotfish and grunts; Honeymoon Beach and Salmon Bay, for tunicates and star coral; and Salt Pond Bay, for a variety of corals, reef fish, squid, and sea turtles. Stop by the visitors center for a snorkeling guide. Rent sailboats, kayaks, and windsurfers at Cinnamon Bay beach.
Flora/Fauna
With dense forests in the mountains, cactus scrubland, and mangroves lining the bays' shores, Virgin Islands National Park boasts 740 plant species. While hundreds of types of birds and fish make the island their home, only 22 mammal species do. The bat is the park's only native mammal, but deer, goats, sheep, donkeys, cats, dogs, mongoose, and pigs also roam the park.
Photo Ops
The overlook at the end of the Ram Head Trail offers a sweeping view of the Caribbean Sea from a height of 200 feet.
Capture scenic landscape shots from the cliff-side overlooks on Route 20 (North Shore). This well-maintained road also provides access to beaches, trails, and ruins.
Smart Traveler Strategies
You may feel like you're in paradise on St. John, but don't forget to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and plenty of water, especially on hikes. Also, avoid hiking in the middle of the day, when the sun and temperatures are at their height.
Though there are restaurants on the park grounds, it is always good to bring energy snacks and fruits with you.
For birdwatchers, the best time to catch glimpses of native species is in winter. The Francis Bay Trail is highly recommended.
If you rent a car, get one with four-wheel drive. You'll need it for some of the island's more rugged roads.
Trunk Bay beach is the park's most popular and crowded beach, especially for day visitors from cruise ships. The restrooms, snack bar, souvenir shop, and snorkel-gear rental office here close at 4 p.m. A quieter beach experience can be had at Lameshur Bay and beach, where you can snorkel along the bay's east coast and walk to ruins along the west.
Cinnamon Bay campground closes to unregistered guests at 10 p.m.
Stop by the Cruz Bay Visitor Center to pick up maps and ask for information. It's open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When to Visit
Virgin Islands National Park is open year-round. The weather is generally consistent, with temperatures ranging from the low 70s (F) to upper 80s (Dec.-Apr.) and from the mid 80s to mid 90s (May-Nov.). The water temperature is around 80 degrees (F) year-round. The water is calmer between April and August, offering better visibility for snorkeling and scuba.
Where to Stay
Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay Campgrounds are both located in the park (the latter, however, is privately owned). Accommodations at Cinnamon Bay include bare sites (picnic table and charcoal grill included), tents, and cottages (with four twin beds, electrical lights, a fan, and a gas stove and charcoal grill).
At the eco-friendly Maho Bay Camps, choose from tent-cottages tucked high among the park's foliage or studios with private baths (http://maho.org/Harmony.cfm)
Accommodations outside the park include private villas, resorts, B&Bs, hotels, and campgrounds. For more information, check out www.usvitourism.vi/.
Excursions Outside the Park
The Elaine Ione Spraure Library and Museum houses a collection of documents, historic artifacts, and photographs of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Visit the island of St. Thomas to see 300-year-old, Danish-built Fort Christian, the oldest standing structure in the Virgin Islands, and to ascend the stairway of 99 Steps (actually 103), which were fashioned in the 1700s by Danish settlers to ease the climb up Charlotte Amalie's hillsides Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
View hundreds of exotic butterflies in a rain forest setting at the Butterfly Farm on St. Thomas.
Advisories
Driving is on the left side of the road, in the British style.
Heed beach-closing advisories. Also, know your limit when snorkeling and swimming, as strong waves can be dangerous. Also, while in the water, the general rule is: "If it's not sand, don't stand!" Avoid stepping on coral to protect both yourself (it can be sharp) and the coral.
You may encounter animals while driving, hiking, or hanging out on the beach. These are wild—do not touch or feed them. Also, do not eat unknown fruits or plants on the island. The Machineel tree (a.k.a. Death Apple), for example, produces a poisonous crab apple-like fruit. Even touching its sap can result in skin irritation.
More From National Geographic
Virgin Islands National Park Trail Map
From National Geographic Travel & Culture: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/parks/park_virgin-islands.html
National Geographic Wild Chronicles video, "Giving Fish a Bath."
Copy for this series includes excerpts from the National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States, Sixth Edition, 2009, and the National Parks articles featured in Cutting Loose in National Geographic Traveler. See staff contributors here.