When is the best time to visit Virgin Islands National Park?

If you want fewer people, go in November, the quietest shoulder-season month. March is the busiest month on average, and September the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Virgin Islands National Park?

Virgin Islands National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.

What are some things to do in Virgin Islands National Park?

The National Park Service lists 19 things to do in Virgin Islands National Park, including Salt Pond Bay and Ram Head Trails, Cinnamon Bay Trails, Hike the Lind Point Trails, Tektite Trail, Caneel Hill Trail. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.

When did Virgin Islands National Park become a national park?

Virgin Islands National Park was established as a national park on August 2, 1956.

What is the closest national park to Virgin Islands?

Biscayne National Park, about 1,107 miles away in a straight line.

US Virgin Islands · Est. 1956

Virgin Islands National Park

Last verified October 1, 2026Free entry

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. — nps.gov

Turquoise water laps white sandy shore fringed with lush green vegetation. — Photo: NPS Photo

State: US Virgin Islands
Established: August 2, 1956
Size: 15,041 acres
2025 visits: 471,074
Busiest-park rank: #42 of 63
Entrance: Free entry

Best time to visit

When is Virgin Islands quiet?

Virgin Islands is busiest in March and quietest in September. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, November is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 471,074 recreation visits, the #42 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Virgin Islands open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA

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Quietest: SeptemberBusiest: March

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands National Park charges no entrance fee.

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Virgin Islands National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Virgin Islands

The National Park Service lists 19 things to do in Virgin Islands National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.

All activities →

Salt Pond Bay and Ram Head Trails5-20 Minutes
Salt Pond is perfect for someone looking for a pleasant stroll to a beautiful beach. Just a quarter mile hike from the parking area to beach, has only a slight grade.
Pets OK
Cinnamon Bay Trails15-30 Minutes · All year
Meander through the ruins of the historic Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation. Smell the scent of the leaves from the bay rum trees, which were once used to make the famous St John Bay Rum Cologne. The boardwalk and nature…
Pets OK
Hike the Lind Point Trails20-40 Minutes · All year
The Lind Point Trail starts just behind the park visitor center and ends at breathtaking Honeymoon Bay or Solomon Bay. The trail offers several spurs one of which heads to the overlook. Stop and rest on the bench as you…
Pets OK
Tektite Trail20-60 Minutes
The trailhead can be found to the right of Lameshur Road at the first switchback. The .7 mile trail begins with a moderately strenuous ascent on the Cabritte Horn Point. Hike through the desert-like terrain to reach…
Pets OK
Caneel Hill Trail30-60 Minutes
Hiking trails in the park provide an excellent way to experience the beauty of the landscape and the rich natural and cultural history of the park/
Pets OK
Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop And Accessible Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
Cinnamon Bay Plantation was established in 1717 and was one of the earliest and most prosperous sugar plantations on the Island. In 1903, the Danish West India Plantation Company bought Cinnamon Bay and began growing…
Pets OK
Francis Bay Trail30-90 Minutes
Francis Bay Trail starts at the Francis Bay Sugar Factory. It continues past the Mary's Point Estate house and around a salt pond. The dry tropical forest and salt pond provide an excellent opportunity to view birds.
Pets OK
Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
This unique underwater trail is a great way to learn about the diverse animals of the coral reef habitat.
Fee

Show all 19 things to do

Yawzi Point Trail30-50 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Annaberg Sugar Plantation1-2 Hours · All year
Reservation/permitPets OK
Cinnamon Bay Beach and Snorkeling1-8 Hours · All year
Maho Bay1-2 Hours · All year
Salomon/Honeymoon Bays1-8 Hours · All year
Discover Bird Watching in the Virgin Islands90 Minutes · All year
Johnny Horn Trail2-4 Hours · All year
Reservation/permitPets OK
L'Esperance Trail2-4 Hours · All year
Pets OK
Reef Bay Trail2-4 Hours · All year
Pets OK
Hawksnest BayAll year
Windmill TourAll year
Pets OK

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at 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.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Virgin Islands

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.

1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI, 00830 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Virgin Islands

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Virgin Islands is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

A sunset colors the horizon as seen from an overlook above the bay. — Photo: NPS Photo

FAQ

Virgin Islands, quickly

When is the best time to visit Virgin Islands National Park?: If you want fewer people, go in November, the quietest shoulder-season month. March is the busiest month on average, and September the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Virgin Islands National Park?: Virgin Islands National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
Do you need a reservation for Virgin Islands National Park in 2026?: The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Virgin Islands National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Virgin Islands National Park?: The National Park Service lists 19 things to do in Virgin Islands National Park, including Salt Pond Bay and Ram Head Trails, Cinnamon Bay Trails, Hike the Lind Point Trails, Tektite Trail, Caneel Hill Trail. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Virgin Islands National Park become a national park?: Virgin Islands National Park was established as a national park on August 2, 1956.
What is the closest national park to Virgin Islands?: Biscayne National Park, about 1,107 miles away in a straight line.

Sources · 3

1.Virgin Islands National Park — official site · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.Virgin Islands National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/viis.

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Virgin Islands National Park