πŸ•οΈNational Park Data
Turquoise water laps white sandy shore fringed with lush green vegetation.
Queen Angel Fish
A sunset colors the horizon as seen from an overlook above the bay.
Four Stilts in the Francis Bay Pond
A Sunset Paddle
National Park

Virgin Islands National Park

U.S. Virgin Islands

πŸ’°
Entrance Fee
Free
πŸ•
Hours
Varies by day
πŸ“
Location
St. John, VI
πŸ“ž
Visitor Center
3407766201

Go beyond Virgin Islands National Park's stunning white-sand beaches. Hike to historic plantation sites to learn about a challenging past when sugar and enslaved labor dominated life on the island. Visit the Indigenous Taino's ancient petroglyphs. Snorkel coral reefs to discover hidden marine life. Two-thirds of the island of St. John is national park, making it a unique destination for visitors.

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About Virgin Islands National Park

Virgin Islands National Park is a national park located in U.S. Virgin Islands. Mostly Perfect! The Tradewinds (the Easterlies) dominate the weather in the Virgin Islands, blowing east to west across the tropical Atlantic. The winter tends to bring stronger winds and less rain, and the summer tends to bring more rain and lighter winds. Be sure to check the forecast often during hurricane season or winter swell events.

There are no airports on St. John so you must fly to the St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport (code STT) and travel from there. From the airport you rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Redhook (west end) St. Thomas. From there you can either take a car barge to St. John or the people ferry. Once on St. John you can easily walk from the ferry terminal to the Visitor Center.

πŸ’° Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Virgin Islands is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

πŸ₯Ύ Things to Do

Virgin Islands National Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Craft Demonstrations, Cultural Demonstrations, Astronomy, and 27 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

βœ… Arts and Culture
βœ… Craft Demonstrations
βœ… Cultural Demonstrations
βœ… Astronomy
βœ… Stargazing
βœ… Boating
βœ… Motorized Boating
βœ… Sailing
βœ… Camping
βœ… Car or Front Country Camping
βœ… Fishing
βœ… Fly Fishing
βœ… Saltwater Fishing
βœ… Food
βœ… Picnicking
βœ… Guided Tours
βœ… Self-Guided Tours - Walking
βœ… Hiking
βœ… Backcountry Hiking
βœ… Front-Country Hiking
βœ… Paddling
βœ… Kayaking
βœ… Stand Up Paddleboarding
βœ… SCUBA Diving
βœ… Snorkeling
βœ… Swimming
βœ… Saltwater Swimming
βœ… Wildlife Watching
βœ… Birdwatching
βœ… Shopping
βœ… Bookstore and Park Store

πŸ“¦ Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Virgin Islands

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πŸŽ’ Trail Essentials

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πŸ₯Ύ Activity-Specific Gear

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πŸ§₯ Apparel & Layers

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πŸ’‘ Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

πŸ“‹ Visitor Planning Tips for Virgin Islands

  • β†’Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Virgin Islands before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • β†’Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Virgin Islands. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • β†’Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Virgin Islands get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • β†’Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Virgin Islands. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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Go beyond Virgin Islands National Park's stunning white-sand beaches. Hike to historic plantation sites to learn about a challenging past when sugar and enslaved labor dominated life on the island. Visit the Indigenous Taino's ancient petroglyphs. Snorkel coral reefs to discover hidden marine life. Two-thirds of the island of St. John is national park, making it a unique destination for visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions about Virgin Islands

The entrance fee for Virgin Islands National Park is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

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James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer β€” National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

πŸ”οΈ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio β†’

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