May 30, 2008
The US Virgin Island National Park in St. John
Summary: The US Virgin Island National Park is well protected and maintained for Tourists and Vacationers to enjoy.
St. John is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent of the US Virgin Islands (USVI). This is the smallest of the three main lands; St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. Though St. John is the smallest island, it is said to be the loveliest among the three. This is where National Park can be found.
US Virgin Island National Park at St. John is well-known throughout the world for its magnificent beauty. Within the park's boundaries lie protected bays of crystal blue waters abundant with coral reef life, white- powdery- sand beaches shaded by tropical trees. National Park encompasses 60 %of the actual land area. Much of the islands waters, coral reefs, and shorelines are protected by inclusion within the park and this was expanded with the creation of the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument in 2001.
The Virgin Island National Park provides endless discovery and enjoyment as well as inspiration and chances of solitude and reflection with its various beautiful beaches, coral reefs, historic ruins and hiking trails. Visitors can also enjoy the various exciting activities both land and water. Some of the land activities are: camping, hiking, and bird watching, while water activities like; swimming, snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, and kayaking are available on this park.
Camping is popular in this park, it is only allowed in areas specifically designated for those purposes. Within the Virgin Island National Park, there is a Cinnamon Bay campground which is operated by a park concessionaire. Within the authorized boundaries of the Virgin Islands National Park is a privately operated facility called Maho Bay Campground, this where the Virgin Island National Park Archeological Lab is located. This Lab is open to visitors who want to just take a peek at recently discovered artifacts, study about the archeological history if the island or volunteer in a dig. To those schools who wish to camp, it is necessary to have reservations at least 2 weeks in advance.
During your visit either on these locations, you may encounter some members of the local wildlife such as white-tailed deer and donkeys. Deer are very shy animals while donkeys are the opposite. Feeding marine and terrestrial wildlife is not allowed. Fires are only permitted on grills at designated areas.
There are camping guidelines to follow in Cinnamon Bay and these are as follow; Camping in the National Park is restricted on parkland in Cinnamon Bay Campground only.
Fires are permitted on grills at designated area only.
Feeding marine and terrestrial wildlife is not allowed
Pets are not allowed on Park beaches, in the campground or in picnic areas but maybe walked on trails.
Glass bottles are not allowed on Park beaches.
Guests may check- in from 2 – 8 pm daily. Accommodation assignment is received upon check- in at the registration window. For those who arrive past 8 pm, assignments are posted outside the registration window. Check-out is as 8 am daily.
These guidelines keep the park preserve its environment and maintain the natural essence of the beauty of the island. St. John indeed is the smallest but the loveliest of the three islands because nothing compares the true beauty of nature.
Recommended Reading
- Many Virgin Island Cruises Stop at the US Virgin Islands
- The Best Virgin Island Honeymoons
- Experience Nature in the Everglades National Park, Florida
- St. Thomas, Virgin Island
- Virgin Island Yacht Charter
