Virgin Islands National Park Map

Established in 1956, Virgin Islands National Park encompasses over 9,000-acres (~60%) of the island of St John and over 5,000-acres of its surrounding waters. Though one of the smaller parks in the National Park System, Virgin Islands National Park boasts beauty and diversity which far exceeds its diminutive size. We had made a couple extended stops already...at the Annaberg Sugar Mill and the Ram Head Trail which can be seen in other albums. This page highlights the sights we enjoyed travelling the driving loop through the National Park. Starting at the park headquarters and visitor center in Cruz Bay, the album follows Highway 20 west along the north coast of St John, climbs to the mountain ridge above Coral Bay at the islands western end, then follows Highway 10 back to Cruz Bay.

Obviously this is just a quick-and-dirty driving tour of the park. There was so much more we could have explored had we the time. Even so, I believe this album does a decent job of sharing a taste of the natural wonder contained within Virgin Islands National Park. As always, ENJOY!!

Virgin Islands National Park (Driving Tour)

Virgin Islands National Park Map
The official NPS map for Virgin Islands National Park, depicting the locations of all highlights pictured in this album...
Virgin Islands National Park -- 250'
Entering Virgin Islands National Park as we exit Cruz Bay, along Highway 20...
Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center -- 0'
The visitor center is located within Cruz Bay, the only major settlement on the island of St. John. It's small but pleasant and, considering the pandemic still raging, we were just happy it was open...
Cruz Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 160'
The panorama of Cruz Bay, seen from alongside Highway 200 as it departs the town. The island of St. Thomas is seen in the distance across Pillsbury Sound...
Cruz Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 160'
Overlooking Cruz Bay, along Highway 20 as it departs town. St. Thomas lies in the distance across Pillsbury Sound...a 20 minute ferry ride away...
Cruz Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 160'
Overlooking Cruz Bay, along Highway 20 as it departs town. Cruz Bay is the only town of any appreciable size on St. John and is home to the headquarters of Virgin Islands National Park...
Caneel Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 130'
One mile east of Cruz Bay via Highway 20 is a small pull-off providing this stunning view of Caneel Bay. The direction of the overlook faces north, with the island of Tortola (British Virgin Islands) in the distance on the right...
Caneel Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 130'
One mile east of Cruz Bay via Highway 20 is a small pull-off providing this stunning view of Caneel Bay. The direction of the overlook faces north, with the island of Tortola (British Virgin Islands) in the distance on the right...
Peace Hill -- 200'
Approximately 2.5-miles east of Cruz Bay via Highway 20 is the trailhead for the short path up Peace Hill. The 0.1-mile trail (one-way) leads to a grassy bluff with stunning views, as well as the ruins of a historic windmill which was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The windmill at Peace Hill was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation, established in 1718, and one of only five on St. John which utilized wind-power in sugar production...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The windmill at Peace Hill was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation, established in 1718, and one of only five on St. John which utilized wind-power in sugar production...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The windmill at Peace Hill was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation, established in 1718, and one of only five on St. John which utilized wind-power in sugar production...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The windmill at Peace Hill was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation, established in 1718, and one of only five on St. John which utilized wind-power in sugar production...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The windmill at Peace Hill was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation, established in 1718, and one of only five on St. John which utilized wind-power in sugar production...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The windmill at Peace Hill was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation, established in 1718, and one of only five on St. John which utilized wind-power in sugar production...
Peace Hill -- 200'
Approximately 2.5-miles east of Cruz Bay via Highway 20 is the trailhead for the short path up Peace Hill. The 0.1-mile trail (one-way) leads to a grassy bluff with stunning views, as well as the ruins of a historic windmill which was once part of the Denis Bay Plantation...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The full panorama northeast from Peace Hill. Trunk Bay lies below with the British Virgin Islands lining the far horizon...
Peace Hill -- 200'
Overlooking Trunk Bay from the grassy top of Peace Hill...
Peace Hill -- 200'
The full panorama southwest from Peace Hill. Hawksnest Bay lies below with St. Thomas clearly visible in the distance...
Peace Hill -- 200'
Overlooking Hawksnest Bay from the grassy top of Peace Hill...
Trunk Bay Overlook (Hwy 20)
Three miles east of Cruz Bay, via Highway 20, is another small pull-off overlooking beautiful Trunk Bay. The panorama seen here faces north and northeast, with the large island seen to the right of center being that of Jost van Dyke (BVI)...
Trunk Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 120'
Three miles east of Cruz Bay, via Highway 20, is another small pull-off overlooking beautiful Trunk Bay. The view faces north and northeast, with the large island seen in the distance being that of Jost van Dyke (BVI)...
Trunk Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 120'
Three miles east of Cruz Bay, via Highway 20, is another small pull-off overlooking beautiful Trunk Bay...
Trunk Bay Overlook (Hwy 20) -- 120'
Looking north from the overlook of Trunk Bay. The two islands in the distance are (left) Little Tobago Island and (right) Great Tobago Island, both part of the British Virgin Islands...