Archaeological sites and petroglyphs from Taíno culture have been preserved on St John. There are also historic plantation ruins and forest trails. The experiences differ in subject and distance: the nature loop at Cinnamon Bay is an easy half-mile hike; the guided route to Reef Bay Sugar Mill is three miles long. These details can help you weigh different priorities for your visit.
History and Culture at Annaberg
An educational trail at Annaberg provides information about the preserved remains of the windmill, factory, enslaved people’s quarters, and other structures. It also explains how the people who were there centuries ago lived and worked. A dungeon has also been preserved at Annaberg. It served as a tool of the overseer and symbolizes the conditions that enslaved Africans fought against. The educational trail thus explores different architectural traces and life stories; the dungeon points to the violent conditions people fought against.
A 2017 listing mentions cultural demonstrations at Annaberg from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including baking “dumb bread” and basket weaving. Before visiting, check whether this program is currently taking place.
Loops, Forest, and Plantation Ruins
Bay-rum trees grow among the ruins of Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation. Their leaves were once used to make St John Bay Rum Cologne. A boardwalk through the ruins is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. The nature loop at Cinnamon Bay is described as an easy half-mile hike.
The Cinnamon Bay Trail climbs through shaded forest with, among others, mango, genip, guavaberry, kapok, and mammee apple trees. A 0.38-mile spur leads from this trail to the ruins of a mansion known as America Hill. The two distances refer to different things: the half-mile distance is for the nature loop, while the 0.38 miles is for the spur to America Hill.
Another nature experience is the Francis Bay Boardwalk behind the beach, which offers good bird-watching opportunities. Different interests can therefore guide your choice of trail: forest vegetation on the Cinnamon Bay Trail, ruins on the spur to America Hill, or bird-watching on the Francis Bay Boardwalk.
Guided Hike and Getting There
An NPS page last updated on August 11, 2017, lists ranger-led tours on Mondays and Thursdays along a three-mile trail through tropical forest to Reef Bay Sugar Mill. According to the same information, reservations are required for these tours. Check the current dates and reservation rules before planning.
Saint John has no airport. The island can be reached by ferry, water taxi, or private boat via Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, or Crown Bay Marina. Check current connections and schedules before traveling. The Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center is in Cruz Bay near the ferry dock and offers park orientation materials; please confirm before visiting whether it is currently operating. There are no official park entrances. Since the visitor center’s operating status should be checked, it is advisable to confirm current information before your visit.
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