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Virgin Islands National Park– an Introduction
The Virgin Islands National Park of Virgin Islands, U.S is one of the charming destinations often frequented by hordes of tourists. This U.S national park covers about 60% of the Saint John Island in U.S and there are also some isolated parts of the neighboring island of Saint Thomas included in it. The best attraction of the national park in U.S happens to be the scuba diving and snorkeling adventures in the island. Trunk Bay, a pristine white sand beach in Virgin Islands National Park is one of the most visited spots in the USA national park. 725,000 visitors, on an average, drop down to this mesmerizing national park every year. There are some fantastic nature trails throughout the park. The ruins of sugar plantations also form major part of the national park. The highest part of the island lies at 389 meters and the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail and the Bourdeaux Mountain Trail lead you to the spot. The view of the entire park from there is indeed heavenly.
Visiting Virgin Islands National Park
The visit to the Virgin Islands National Park can be roughly planned in like this. Take a drive along the North Shore Road as far as the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins. You can go for pleasant hiking itineraries in the sea side trails or have a snorkeling session. While returning, take the route via Centerline Road and stop by the ruins of Catherineberg Sugar Mill. Hiking through the Reef Bay Trail will give you the opportunity to explore the East End of the island. Pay a visit to Saltpond Bay and walk to Ram Head. Signing up for some excellent ranger-led tours and activities will also give you some wonderful and vivid moments in the lap of the exquisite nature of the island. Explore the forestlands in the surroundings, observe the historical petroglyph rock carvings and visit spring-fed waterfall and its reflection pool or rest and relax for a moment at Genti Bay. The memory will overwhelm you forever.
Camping: The two important camping grounds in Virgin Islands National Park are, Cinnamon Bay and Moho Bay Camp. The Cinnamon Bay comprises bare tent sites and covered tent platforms. The camp site also offers you with utensils for cooking and a cafeteria. The Moho Bay Camp on the other hand is a campsite owned privately. There are tent cabins equipped with supplies for making cooking arrangements. There is also a camp store and a central dining area for having meals in the camp ground.
Guided Tours: There are guided tours of Virgin Islands National Park but there is very limited or no scope for interpretive tours in the park. The most popular guided tours include two to three-hour guided tour of the Island. The tour includes complete tour of the Park in safari bus. The tour in general begins and ends at the public ferry dock in Cruz Bay. The panoramic views of beaches and surrounding hillsides and the reminiscence of Annaberg and other sugar plantations are simply awesome.
Opening Hours
The Virgin Islands National Park remains open throughout the year, 24 hours a day. Some of the Zones within the par although have schedule for closing hours. The Visitor Center at Cruz Bay is open on regular basis from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How to Reach
Air: The Cyril E. King Airport on the Island of St. Thomas is the nearest airport to the Virgin Islands National Park. Another option is taking a flight to the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix and avail the ferry to St. John.
Road: The route 20 runs along the North Shore Road passing by the Visitors Center and connecting the adjacent parts of the Virgin Islands National Park. Most of the campsites and beaches of the region are concentrated within this area. There are also safari bus and shuttle bus services from the ferry terminus at Cruz Bay.
Water: If a 20-minute ferry ride can be availed to take you to St. John. Ferries from Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas also have regular halts at Cruz Bay in St. John near the park.
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