Your Guide to Camping on St. John
Interested in pitching a tent on St. John? Picturesque Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground in Virgin Islands National Park is the only place on the island where camping is allowed. Follow our practical tips, along with ideas for fun outdoor adventures like snorkeling and hiking, to make your experience complete.
Camping on St. John
Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground on beautiful Cinnamon Bay is the only designated campground on St. John, located within Virgin Islands National Park. You can bring your own tent gear and set up camp on a bare campsite (with room for two adults and two children), consisting of a wooden platform, rain cover, picnic table and charcoal grill. Or reserve a bare site with a tent rental from Cinnamon Bay Campground that fits four and includes a sleeping pad, linens and a cooking kit (for an additional fee).
For a more elevated experience, glamp in an eco-tent for two outfitted with electricity, a queen-size bed, linens, porch chairs, a picnic table and a cooking kit (which includes a cooler, pot, pan, dishware and utensils, plus a two-burner propane cooktop). Family-size eco-tents that can sleep four include bunk beds. Concrete cottages are also available.
Provisions & Dining
Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground’s General Store stocks groceries (including gluten- and dairy-free items), toiletries and first-aid kits. You can pick up basics for a light meal or snack, along with drinks like local beer and beach-ready Painkillers. Sweet treats include organic fruit pops and ice cream, along with an array of candies, cookies and granola bars. Be sure to snag a limited-edition Cinnamon Bay T-shirt or hoodie. And watch for the Makers Markets, held twice a month during high season, when you can buy locally made souvenirs directly from the artisans.
The Rain Tree Cafe offers breakfast and dinner to both campers and Cinnamon Bay visitors. Start your morning with a veggie omelet or a stack of pancakes. Dinner may include stuffed eggplant, jerk chicken or prime rib with mashed potatoes. And look for theme nights, with specials like pasta, fajitas and burgers. The Beach Cafe food truck near Cinnamon Bay Beach serves lunch fare like hot dogs and pulled pork sandwiches, along with refreshing frozen cocktails.
When not serving meals, the Rain Tree Cafe is a laid-back hangout spot, with cards and board games. Don’t miss the free Cinnamon Bay Chats hosted by Friends of Virgin Islands National Park weekdays from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., with island-themed topics like nature, music and crafts.
Outdoor Adventures
Get out on the water! Rent kayaks, paddleboards and snorkel gear right on Cinnamon Bay Beach. Then, take off and explore the turquoise waters that shelter vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish, along with a surprise sunken village. Or just take a relaxing swim along the pristine half-mile, white-sand beach (the longest on St. John).
Nearby is Maho Bay Beach, where you can swim or snorkel with the green and hawksbill sea turtles that abound here, diving and munching on seagrass. Rent snorkel gear, paddleboards and kayaks from Reef2Peak on the east end of the beach. Take a dip in the calm, shallow waters that are perfect for families with kids. Then refuel at one of the food trucks that serve eats and drinks near the beach.
Seasoned hikers should check out the mile-long Cinnamon Bay Trail. This strenuous hike begins just east of the historic Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation ruins. From there, it’s an uphill hike through a forest of shady mango and mammee apple trees. Take the spur off the trail to view the early-1800s America Hill Great House ruins, with sweeping views of sparkling Maho Bay below.
St. John Camping Tips
Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground has a 2-night minimum requirement for all pre-reserved stays, with 7-night minimums for Christmas, New Year’s, Presidents and Easter weeks. Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground is closed annually from Sept. 1 – Oct. 31.
When setting up camp, do not drive any type of stake or pin into the ground, as the campgrounds sit on an archeological site and they could damage sensitive artifacts.
Lock up food to protect it from wildlife like tree rats, mongoose, wild donkeys and land hermit crabs. Pack insect repellent (or buy it from the on-site General Store) and wear lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirts at night as a defense against biting bugs.
Use reef-safe mineral sunscreen (sold at the General Store), the only sunscreen allowed in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And bring a flashlight to navigate campground paths during pitch-black nights.
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