Virgin Islands National Park, St. John, USVI
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Virgin Islands National Park, renowned throughout the world for its breathtaking beauty, covers approximately 3/5 of St. John, and nearly all of Hassel Island in the Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas. Within its borders lie protected bays of crystal blue-green waters teeming with coral reef life, white sandy beaches shaded by seagrape trees, coconut palms, and tropical forests providing habitat for over 800 species of plants. 
National Park Visitors Center
To these amazing natural resources, add relics from the Pre-Colombian Amerindian Civilization, remains of the Danish Colonial Sugar Plantations, and reminders of African Slavery and the Subsistence Culture that followed during the 100 years after Emancipation - all part of the rich cultural history of the Park and its island home. PDF Maps:
CAMPING
Cinnamon Bay Campground
Open All Year Phone
340-776-6330 Details
 Camping is permitted only at Cinnamon Bay campground. No backcountry or beach camping is permitted within Virgin Islands National Park. Accommodations at Cinnamon Bay campground include bare sites, sites prepared with tent-covered platforms, and cottages. Cottages and prepared sites are equipped with cooking supplies and linens. A camp store sells food, beverages and other supplies. A campground restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations for special tours for schools and other groups are necessary. At least two weeks notice is required. To schedule a special program for a school or other organization contact the Division of Interpretation at (340)776-6201 ext. 252. Campground reservations in winter months should be made at least four to six months in advance by calling (340) 776-6330. Special permits for large-group use of pavilions and picnic areas are required. Direct all permit queries to (340)776-6201 ext. 244.
ACTIVITIES
While Annaberg and Trunk Bay are the most frequently-visited park sites, Virgin Islands National Park’s diverse beaches, coral reefs, historic ruins, and hiking trails provide endless hours of exploration and enjoyment, as well as inspiration and opportunities for solitude and reflection. Visitors enjoy a variety of activities on the land and in the water, including swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving; sailing, kayaking and windsurfing; and camping, hiking and bird watching. Visitors can enjoy the crystal blue waters on a charter day-sail or boat snorkeling tour which are offered by private operators and can be booked in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. Some visitors explore the park on their own, while others prefer a two-hour safari bus island tour with a private tour guide. 
Sea turtle in St. John
Junior Ranger Program There is always something for both kids and adults to do together, while visiting Virgin Islands National Park. To help protect the natural and cultural resources of St. John, you are welcomed to join the Junior Ranger program on St. John. During your sightseeing, stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a Junior Ranger workbook. Workbook exercises include “interviews” with trees, word searches, games and a nature hike. At the end, you return to the Visitor Center and you are awarded with a Junior Ranger program certificate, “Smokey Bear” hat, Junior Ranger badge, and pencil. Come along and Join in the Fun!!!
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Operating Hours & Seasons
Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center is open daily, 8:00am to 4:30pm. The Station is closed Christmas Day. Park areas are open 24 hours a day year-round. Getting There Public Transportation
Hourly ferry service from Red Hook, St. Thomas (a 20-minute ride) is available to St. John and operates from 6:30 a.m., then on the hour from 7:00 am - midnight. Ferry service from St. John to St. Thomas runs on the hour from 6:00 a.m - 11:00 p.m. Less frequent ferries travel between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and St. John (a 45-minute ride). Getting Around Most popular Park areas are easily accessed by local taxis, called safari buses. Rental vehicles are available in Cruz Bay and are necessary to travel to some of the more remote areas on St. John. Parking is limited at many Park sites. Reef Bay and Cinnamon Bay Trails and Salt Pond can be accessed by public bus service running from Cruz Bay to the Coral Bay area by way of Centerline Road (Route 10). Check the most current schedule posted near the Cruz Bay ferry dock. Boats are necessary to visit some Park bays lacking road access. Bicycling is not recommended within the Park, due to very steep, narrow and winding roads.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE Temperatures range in the low 70s to upper 80s, December through April, and are slightly higher (mid 80s to mid 90s), May through November. Usually there is more rainfall July through January, while spring and early summer can be quite dry. On any given day, however, brief light rain showers are not uncommon. Throughout the year, cotton clothes that are light in color and weight are recommended in the daytime; a light jacket may occasionally be needed in the late evening and early morning during the winter season. Lightweight trousers help protect against insect bites on the denser hiking trails. SPECIAL USE PERMITS Special Use Permit for Activities at Trunk Bay Fees
$50.00 Details
Special use permits are required for organized activities that include ten (10) or more people for events such as birthday parties, etc. A permit is required for weddings and other special events regardless of the number of people participating. In addition to a $50.00 fee, there is a Cost Recovery fee of $150.00 for groups of fifty or more. The Cost Recovery fee is $100.00 for groups numbering ten to fifty people. The Cost Recovery fee is reimbursed after policing and removal of trash. Fees are to be made payable by check or money order to Virgin Islands National Park. Checks/Money order for the Recovery fee, as well as the Permit, are to be made seperately. Picnic pavilions and grills are available for all activities.
Special Use Permits for Activities at Hawksnest
Fees
$25.00 Details
Special use permits are required for organized activities that include ten (10) or more people for events such as birthday parties, etc. A permit is required for weddings and other special events regardless of the number of people participating (please note that there is a limit of fifty people for any permitted activity at Hawksnest). In addition to a $25.00 fee, there is a Cost Recovery fee of $100.00. The Cost Recovery fee is reimbursed after policing and removal of trash. Fees are to be made payable by check or money order to Virgin Islands National Park. Checks/ Money order for the Recovery Fee, as well as for the Permit, are to be made seperately. Picnic pavilions and grills are available for all activities. Photo's courtesy: www.nps.gov for more info: http://www.nps.gov/viis/
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Summary: Virgin Islands National Park, renowned throughout the world for its breathtaking beauty, covers approximately 3/5 of St. John, and nearly all of Hassel Island in the Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas.
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