It’s difficult to decide if Virgin Islands National Park is the most exciting or the most relaxing park in America. With lush green hillsides, gorgeous beaches, crystal blue waters and fascinating wildlife, it’s probably best for you to visit and decide for yourself. There are some amazing stories to discover and over 7,000 acres to explore on the island of St. John, plus some breathtaking sunsets. Photo by Kerry Childers (www.sharetheexperience.org).

We’re wishing you a warm World Hello Day ☀️ from the clear waters of Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge! Photographer Heather Bautista sailed over to Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge in the Virgin Islands to find crystal clear water teeming with graceful sea turtles. “I was in heaven. I was keeping a respectful distance watching them feed on the grass below when this particular turtle surprised me by coming up for air right next to me. A moment I will never forget!” Clear water and clear communication definitely make the world a better and more peaceful place, make time to surface to say hello! Photo by Heather Bautista (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Virgin Islands National Park’s hills, valleys and beaches are breathtaking. Beyond its tropical beauty, 7,000 acres on the island of St. John help tell the complex history of civilizations - both free and enslaved - who utilized the land and the sea for more than a thousand years. Photo of Trunk Bay by Kaitlin Kovacs, U.S. Geological Survey.

Virgin Islands National Park is an American paradise with breathtaking hills, valleys and beaches. With 7,000-plus acres on the island of St. John, Virgin Islands National Park offers snow-white sand dotted by palm trees, coral reefs, pre-historic sites and Bay Rum Tree forests. Its Trunk Bay is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and features a 225-yard long underwater snorkeling trail. For more great warm-weather getaways, check out: http://on.doi.gov/1QFtX22. 

Photo by Kerry Childers (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Need a break from the snow and cold weather hitting much of the U.S.? Take the chill off of winter and escape to six of America’s beautiful (and warm) public lands: http://on.doi.gov/1QFtX22

You won’t even have to leave the country to visit to these amazing tropical getaways. 🌴🌊🏄

Virgin Islands National Park is an American paradise with breathtaking hills, valleys and beaches. With 7,000-plus acres on the island of St. John, Virgin Islands National Park offers snow-white sand dotted by palm trees, coral reefs, pre-historic sites and Bay Rum Tree forests.

Top photo: Overlook of the park’s Trunk Bay at sunset. Trunk Bay is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and features a 225-yard long underwater snorkeling trail.

Middle photos (left to right): Gorgeous view of Leinster Bay from the James Murphy Estate House on Windy Hill off the Johnny Horn Trail. A view from Caneel Hill overlooking Hawksnest Bay.

Bottom photo: Leinster Bay and Waterlemon Cay from the park’s Johnny Horn Trail. Hiking is one of the most popular activities on St. John. Virgin Islands National Park provides a wide verity of hiking experiences and more than 20 trails to choose from.

All photos by Kerry Childers (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Virgin Islands National Park’s hills, valleys and beaches are breath-taking. However, within its 7,000 plus acres on the island of St. John is the complex history of civilizations - both free and enslaved - dating back more than a thousand years, all who utilized the land and the sea for survival.

Photo: Kerry Childers (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Rather go to a Caribbean paradise than to the North Pole during the holidays? This beach at Maho Bay, on the north side of the island of St. John, recently was added to Virgin Islands National Park. The 225-acre beach and the hillside above it are the largest single addition to the park since it was created in 1956. The Trust for Public Land announced on December 18 that the area has been protected from development through a series of land sales to the National Park Service from 2009-2013 using federal monies from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

Photo credit: Steven Simonsen Photography