Best trails in Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park is located on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands. The park covers about 60% of the island, preserving the land and numerous hiking trails. Hiking is one of the best ways to experience St. John! The park's trails take you to secluded beaches, rocky hilltops with fantastic views, historical ruins, and ancient petroglyphs. You'll find diverse vegetation here, from tropical forest to cacti, and tons of wildlife. The park is also well known for snorkeling, and many of these trails will lead you to the best spots to see turtles and tropical fish.
There's so much to do here that you'll likely want 3 days or more to explore the park's land and waters. The best time to visit Virgin Islands National Park is April through June. At this time, the weather is still dry and mild, but there are fewer visitors. December through March is peak season — you'll enjoy great weather, but it's likely you'll share the trails with more people. No matter what month you visit, there will be hiking, beaches, and snorkeling to enjoy!
There's no fee to enter the park, but there is a small fee to visit Trunk Bay.
Top trails
- (1658)•Moderate•2.6 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThe trail starts as a rough dirt walk that leads to a clearing. One of its attractions is the hike section that goes along the beach. Strolling down Salt Pond Beach, you'll notice the remarkably calm water and peaceful surroundings. The trail continues on the sand to the end of the beach, when it veers into a rocky path that offers breathtaking views of the water and bay. As you continue, the trail becomes a narrow, slightly inclining dirt path through shaded trees. The trail leads to Blue...
- (1317)•Easy•2.0 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis is a nice point-to-point trail that connects the National Park Visitor Center to Honeymoon Beach. This is an open and dry forest with a cactus scrub environment. The trail ascends 0.4 miles to scenic Lind Point overlook (elev. 160ft). At 0.7 miles, a side trail leads to Salomon Beach. At Honeymoon Beach you can rent chairs, kayaks, SUP boards, float, and snorkel equipment. Guided kayaking and snorkeling tours are also available.
- (363)•Moderate•3.3 mi•Est. 2–2.5 hrPetroglyph Trail takes you to Virgin Islands National Park, winding through a shaded forest and leading to a small waterfall at the end. Be prepared for creek crossings and rocky terrain with slippery sections—sturdy footwear and hiking poles are recommended. Keep an eye out for deer, hummingbirds, and mongooses. Parallel street parking on Centerline Road is available at the trailhead.
- (324)•Moderate•1.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThe America Hill Trail on Saint John, offers hikers a journey through lush forests to the historic America Hill Great House ruins. Starting near the Cinnamon Bay Museum, the trail ascends through a shaded forest filled with tall trees. Upon reaching the ruins, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the north shore, including Maho and Cinnamon Bays. This is a great trail for how good the views are, as well as adding the interesting ruins on such a short trail.
- (356)•Moderate•1.9 mi•Est. 1.5–2 hrThis route takes you on a shaded loop and shows the island's history of old sugar factories. The trail is a steady incline along the Cinnamon Bay Trail with some steep and rocky spots. You also make it to a stunning overlook rewarding you with sweeping views of the Virgin Islands National Park. You can easily get here from the Cinnamon Bay Campground.
- (246)•Hard•4.3 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrCheck out this great trail that walks through the hills above Caneel Bay. The trail heads through forest and open hillsides, offering great viewpoints over the bay and other islands surrounding this beautiful place. This trail is commonly done as a point-to-point as well, depending on how you decide to get to and from the trails.
- (234)•Moderate•5.2 mi•Est. 3–3.5 hrThe L'Esperance Trail on Saint John guides hikers through historic colonial roads, passing by the ruins of the L'Esperance, Seiban, and Mollendahl Plantation Ruins. The path meanders through diverse landscapes, including lush forests. Along the way, hikers can explore remnants of sugar plantations and enjoy occasional clearings that offer panoramic sea vistas. The trail culminates at Reef Bay Beach, a secluded shoreline lined with mangroves and scrub vegetation, providing a serene spot to...
Visitor info
Trunk Bay charges an Expanded Amenity Fee of $5.00/person ages 16 and up from sunrise until sunset. Expanded Amenity Fees, such as the fee at Trunk Bay, are not waived on the "Fee Free Days" that are indicated below. The fee in the dropdown below titled "Private Vehicle" is for boaters' use of overnight moorings, not for vehicles such as cars, trucks, or SUV's. Virgin Islands National Park does not charge fees for private vehicles entering the park via roadways. Overnight mooring fees must be paid prior to spending the night. Mooring fee payments should be made on a night-by-night basis. Overnight stays are limited to 7 nights per bay and no more than 30 nights per year. Payment stations can be found at the following locations: Cruz Bay Finger Pier, Caneel Bay, Francis Bay, Leinster Bay, Saltpond Bay, and Great Lameshur Bay. Credit or debit card is the preferred method of payment for all fees at Virgin Islands National Park.
Lifetime Inter-Agency Golden Age/Access Pass and Annual Golden Age Pass grants half-off $26.00 overnight mooring fees. During Cruz Bay Visitor Center hours, U.S. citizens or permanent residents can purchase these passes with credit/debit cards. Cash cannot be accepted at the Visitor Center.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Cruz Bay Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms.
Additional information about accessibility at Virgin Islands National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
Commercial boats and planes are used to access the park. Please contact those services directly to ask about accessibility.
The Cruz Bay Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms.
The Maho Beach Picnic Area is wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
There are accessible restrooms at the following beaches: Cinnamon Bay Beach, Trunk Beach, Hawksnest Beach, and Francis Bay Beach (in the lower lot).
Cinnamon Bay Campground has individual wheelchair accessible eco-tents and cottages, and accessible pathways throughout the grounds. Designated accessible parking spaces are available.
Restrooms, showers, and the campground’s restaurant are all wheelchair accessible.
Service animals must be on leash throughout the park.
Guides
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Frequently asked questions
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Attractions
- Beach trails in Virgin Islands National Park
- Easy trails in Virgin Islands National Park
- Forest trails in Virgin Islands National Park
- Historic site trails in Virgin Islands National Park
- Moderate trails in Virgin Islands National Park
- Short trails in Virgin Islands National Park
- Scenic viewpoint trails in Virgin Islands National Park
- Wildlife trails in Virgin Islands National Park
Points of interest
- Reef Bay Beach
- Salomon Beach
- Salt Pond Beach
- American Hill
- Caneel Hill
- Peace Hill
- Oppenheimer Beach
- Honeymoon Beach Snorkeling
- American Hill Great House Ruins
- Cinnamon Bay Factory Ruins
- Lameshur Plantation
- Peace Hill Ruins
- Salt Water Pond
- Mary Point Great House
- Annaberg Historic District
- Salt Water Pond
- Blue Cobblestone Beach
- Salt Water
- Margaret Hill
- Ram Hill
