St John: Nature Trails and Cultural History

On St John, traces of Taíno culture, historic plantation sites and trails through shady forest are among the island’s special discoveries. The options vary in character and scope: you can explore preserved structures and their history, choose an easy nature hike or go birdwatching. When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to first consider which of these experiences you want to shape your stay.

Cultural History at Annaberg and Cinnamon Bay

Archaeological sites and Taíno petroglyphs have been preserved on St John. At Annaberg, a preserved dungeon tells of the conditions that enslaved Africans fought against: it served as a tool of the overseer and as a symbol of those conditions. An interpretive trail provides information about the remains of the windmill, factory, enslaved people’s quarters and other structures. It also describes how the people who worked there centuries ago lived and labored.

A description updated in 2017 lists cultural demonstrations at Annaberg from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including baking “dumb bread” and basket weaving. Before planning your visit, check whether the program is currently offered. The ruins of the Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation also connect landscape with history: Bay rum tree leaves growing nearby were once used to make St John Bay Rum Cologne.

Forest Trails and Ruins at Cinnamon Bay

The Cinnamon Bay Trail climbs uphill through shady forest. Trees mentioned along the trail include mango, genip, guavaberry, kapok and mammee apple. A 0.38-mile spur off the trail leads to the ruins of a great house known as America Hill. This lets you combine a walk through the forest with a named historic destination.

Another option is the nature loop trail at Cinnamon Bay: an easy half-mile hike. The spur to America Hill is 0.38 miles long; both distances help you compare the length of these trails. A boardwalk also runs through the ruins of the Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation and is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.

Rangers lead visitors to the Reef Bay Sugar Mill on Mondays and Thursdays along a three-mile trail through tropical forest. Reservations are required for these ranger-led tours. Before your trip, check with the National Park Service to confirm whether the schedule and reservation requirements are still current.

Birdwatching, Getting There and Finding a Vacation Rental

The Francis Bay Boardwalk is behind the beach and offers good birdwatching opportunities. In Cruz Bay, the Virgin Islands National Park visitor center is near the ferry terminal. It has park orientation materials; there are no official park entrances. Before visiting, check whether the visitor center is currently open.

St John has no airport. The island can be reached by ferry, water taxi or private boat from Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie or Crown Bay Marina. Check current connections and schedules before your trip. If this tour is part of your plans, take its day of the week into account when planning your trip.

Explore more destinations: East End

Return to the main travel overview: Virgin Islands.