Camping on St. John USVI
One of the more exceptional places to go camping can be found on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Whether you are taking your family on a much needed vacation or looking for a romantic getaway, St. John offers some of the most comfortable and scenic outdoors camping places in the tropics. That’s because there is a wide variety of options to choose from when deciding how, exactly, to go about the camping experience. First of all, it should be mentioned that St. John stands out from other islands like St. Croix and St. Thomas in that it actually does offer full camping accessibility.
With all options available including bare sites, permanent tents and even full-fledged cottages, the campground at Cinnamon Bay will cater to your specific desires for how you want the camping experience to go. That’s because the spacious cottages are fully supplied with propane stoves, fans, picnic tables, ice chests, water containers, stocks of utensils for cooking and eating and fresh linens on the four twin beds inside. The tents boast pretty much the same, although they are a tad bit smaller and include cots instead of twin beds. The bare sites, on the other hand, come with less amenities and provide a more rugged and inexpensive experience. In addition, there is a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast lunch and dinner should you want to take a break from cooking in order to enjoy the lush tropical scenery and the clear, warm waters that make this place so spectacular. Another great aspect of this campground is that it is close to everything. A nearby shop for water sports rents out all sorts of equipment for snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and more. They will even rent out small sailboats to you, and provide lessons should you need them. When considering the weather for camping, it will be nice to know that during winter and spring the temperatures range in the pleasantly warm 70’s and 80’s while during the summer and fall they can get up to the 90’s. There is always the chance of light showers, although they seldom last long. When packing, it is important to include brightly colored clothes that breathe well and, for the winter vacationers, a light covering for the very late and very early hours. The cost, as well, is fairly reasonable, making it a great alternative to other kinds of lodging available on the island. If you are going with a big group or on a school trip, it is important to make reservations in advance. Also, for anyone else planning on camping at Cinnamon Bay, it is necessary to call in at least two weeks ahead of time to secure a reservation. Be prepared to pay half of the price up front, and also a small fee when entering the park.
If you are interested in combining eco-tourism with luxury camping, take a look at St. John’s ecologically friendly facilities at Maho Bay and Concordia. By taking part in these accommodations, you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking views of the tropical Bay while priding yourself in the fact that nearly all of the materials are made of recycled or environmentally safe materials. Staying in a tent provided with a kitchen, a porch and a solar or wind electricity generator could be the perfect way to spend your camping trip on St. John.