Getting Around Virgin Islands National Park: Ferries, Roads, and Safari Taxis

By Erika Müller · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Virgin Islands

Quick answer: You can't reach Virgin Islands National Park by car from the mainland United States. You'll need to fly to St. Thomas, take a taxi or rent a car to the Red Hook ferry terminal, then cross by boat to St. John. On the island, your two motorized options are a rental car or a shared safari taxi, and you'll drive on the left.

Starting from Cruz Bay, the Park's Gateway

You can reach Cruz Bay by ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas, in 20 to 25 minutes, with departures about once an hour. For airports, complete schedules, and crossing options, the guide to getting to Virgin Islands covers the trip from the United States.

Park Entrances and Which One to Choose

Unlike parks on the mainland, Virgin Islands National Park has no marked entrance stations with gates. The park is open around the clock, and you naturally enter from Cruz Bay, home to the Visitor Center (open Monday through Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; closed on weekends, July 4, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).

In practical terms, “entering the park” means leaving Cruz Bay to the north on North Shore Road, Route 20, to reach the beaches and trails, or heading east on Centerline Road, Route 10, to reach Coral Bay and the more remote areas.

For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.

Getting Around the Park

By Rental Car

This is the most flexible option. Rental agencies are located in Cruz Bay, right outside the ferry terminal. Book ahead, especially from December through April. Fleets are limited, and cars go quickly.

The one rule you absolutely need to remember: in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you drive on the left. Yes, in a U.S. territory. It's a historical legacy that surprises nearly every visitor from the mainland. Take a few minutes to get comfortable in the ferry parking lot before you head onto the island's winding roads.

The roads are narrow, often steep, and sometimes lack guardrails around curves. Speed limits are posted in miles per hour (mph). Adjust your speed to actual conditions. A sharp turn often calls for much more caution than the sign suggests.

By Shared Safari Taxi

Safari taxis are St. John's de facto public transportation: open-sided trucks with bench seats along the sides that run on the main roads. They serve the park's major sites, including the north-side beaches and the Annaberg area, from Cruz Bay.

Fares are set by zone rather than by meter, so ask before you get in. It's an authentic option if you'd rather not drive on the left or if you're arriving on foot from the ferry without a car.

On Foot and by Bike

Cruz Bay is easy to explore on foot. Most trails start at beach parking lots or directly from the road. You can technically bike on Centerline Road, but the significant elevation changes and lack of shoulders make it an option for experienced cyclists only.

Where to Park: Lots and Parking

In Cruz Bay

Parking in Cruz Bay is the park's main logistical headache. A public parking lot sits next to the ferry terminal, and it fills early during peak season. If you're coming from St. Thomas for the day, consider leaving your car in Red Hook, taking the passenger ferry, and using a safari taxi on the island.

At the Beaches and in the Park

Trunk Bay, the park's busiest beach, has an NPS parking lot that charges a fee. On some peak-season days, it fills before 10 a.m. Cinnamon Bay also has its own lot, connected to the campground. In more isolated areas, such as Salt Pond Bay and the eastern trails, parking is limited to a few roadside spaces. Arrive before 8:30 a.m. or take a safari taxi.

The general rule applies year-round: arrive early. The park's lots can't expand, and losing a morning during peak season can throw off your entire day.

Distances and Drive Times Between Areas

St. John is about 12 miles long, but winding roads and slow speeds make actual drive times considerably longer.

These times vary with traffic and road conditions. To plan the most logical order for your visit based on your home base and pace, the Virgin Islands itinerary guide lays out the most efficient routes.

Special Cases: RVs, Vans, Accessibility, and Pets

RVs and camper vans: Taking a large vehicle by ferry to St. John is technically possible but complicated and expensive. In practice, van travelers leave their vehicle on St. Thomas and rent a 4x4 or take the passenger ferry. The island's roads and beach parking lots aren't designed for large vehicles.

Accessibility: The Cruz Bay Visitor Center is accessible. The park roads have significant elevation changes, and most trails aren't wheelchair accessible. Ask at the Cruz Bay Visitor Center about accessibility features available in each area.

Pets: Dogs are allowed in the park when kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They aren't allowed on beaches or on most marked trails. Check the restrictions for each area before you leave, since rules can vary by zone.

Practical Transportation Info: Fuel, Cell Service, and Apps

Fuel: There's no gas station inside the park. The Cruz Bay station is in town, just outside the ferry terminal. Fill up before exploring the east side of the island. Fuel options in Coral Bay are very limited.

Cell service: Coverage is adequate in Cruz Bay and along the main roads, but it drops off quickly in hilly terrain and remote areas. Don't rely on real-time GPS for out-of-the-way trails. Download offline maps from Google Maps or Maps.me before leaving Cruz Bay.

NPS app: The official National Park Service app includes downloadable maps and condition updates for Virgin Islands. It works offline once you've loaded the data. The Visitor Center also provides free paper maps.

For marine conditions, which affect ferry schedules, and seasonal weather patterns, the Virgin Islands weather guide provides useful month-by-month reference points.

Frequently Asked Questions