The island's natural beauty has been preserved thanks to the efforts of American financier Laurance Rockefeller. In the 1950s, he made extensive donations of land to the federal government to help establish the Virgin Islands National Park. Today, the park encompasses about two-thirds of St. John, including over 5,600 acres of off-shore marine area.
Visitors will find several fascinating historic sites set among the forests and scenic bays of the island of St. John.
Cruz Bay
Situated on a picturesque harbor at the west end of the islands is the charming town of Cruz Bay. In the 1850s, it was an outpost for a detachment of Danish soldiers from St. Thomas. Because of its proximity to St. Thomas, Cruz Bay came to be a popular tourist destination. Today it's a laid-back town. Visitors enjoy walking its narrow streets lined with shops, cafés and juice bars.
National Park Visitor Center
To get the most out of your visit, go to the Visitor Center in Cruz Bay, where exhibits will introduce you to the park's flora, fauna and history. Park rangers can tell you about the weekly activities, including adventure hikes, snorkeling trips, history programs and nature talks. One of the most popular programs is the two-hour Reef Bay Hike. A moderate three-mile downhill trail passes through moist forest and cactus woodland before reaching the shore. Hikers stop along the way to observe petroglyphs and sugar-mill ruins. For a small fee, a boat will take you back to Cruz Bay. Some programs have limited enrollment and require advance reservations, so do sign up early. A brochure highlighting the park activities is available at the center.
Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum
You can learn more about St. John's history and culture at this museum, actually a restored plantation great house. Situated just outside downtown Cruz Bay, the museum has an interesting collection of photographs, newspaper clippings, paintings, drawings and handicrafts by local artists and artisans.
Annaberg Plantation
If you decide to take a journey around the island, these ruins, on the northern coast, will make a memorable stop. Here, you can tour the factory buildings and windmill of this 1733 estate and take in sensational views of the British Virgin Islands. Periodic craft demonstrations, such as basket weaving, are conducted by local residents.
Bordeaux Mountain
At 1,277 feet, it's the highest point on St. John, and at the top, you'll get a splendid view of the sea, as well as of the bay trees along the road; the leaves are used in production of bay rum, the major industry on the island.
