Camping equipment on STJ

Hello Jen,

You will find the grill supplies at the hardware store... cooler you can get at K-mart on St. Thomas. Tents and stuff like that better bet getting at home before coming down. We don't have an REI store or anything similar here.

Camping is only allowed in areas specifically designated for those purposes within the National Park on St. John. And that is the Cinnamon Bay campground - http://www.cinnamonbay.com. Their rate information is on the site. Its a nice campground, not as expansive as some of the state park campgrounds I have been to. Its great getting up early and going out for a swim on Cinnamon Bay.

Are you bringing all the camping gear for recreation? or is camping your plan for the first days/weeks when you move. How much camping did you expect to be doing?

--Islander

In addition to Cinnamon Bay, there's Maho Bay EcoResorts which is tent cabins, more upscale, but with more in-tent equip such as a hotplate and cot-beds with linens and laundry service. They run about $100 a night in season for two. Its really just down the road from Cinnamon Bay and worth checking out (read posts in the vacation board section) depending on your $$$ situation. I don't know what Cinnamon costs compared to Maho.

Here is Maho's web site http://www.maho.org/, can find more information there.

And there is baresite camping at Vie's.

--Islander

Islander and Karrieb-

Thanks for all the info!

We camp for recreation- just to get away from it all and enjoy nature and hiking for a bit. Luckily we're all set up with a studio for a couple weeks when we arrive... I dont think my cats would like camping too much 🙂

When we lived in Maui we'd camp for a couple nights every couple of months, and I expect we'll do the same on STJ. I just wish there were more baresites to choose from.
Do you know if Cinnamon Bay offeres discounts for locals or seasons passes?
Where is Vie's?
Have you ever traveled to the BVI to camp?
Do a lot of STJ residents go camping or is it mainly tourists?
Sorry for all the questions at once 🙂

Thank you!
Jen

Hello Jen,

No discounts for locals or frequent camper special passes at Cinnamon Bay.

Vie's is a small restaurant/snack shack with baresite camping. Its out past Coral Bay.... Skinny Legs Restaurant (that area).

I haven't camped in the BVI - but that is an option.

I would say no, not too many residents on St. John go camping on a regular basis like you described. Mostly tourist.

When I attended UVI on St. Thomas there was a group of students that camped quite a bit, they were transfer students. They camped on St. John, St. Thomas, on beaches.

On St. Thomas and St. Croix there are folks that camp during holiday weekends like Easter. On St. Thomas some folks go out to small unpopulated islands to camp.

Here is a little information I had gotten for someone else:
A while back (over a year) I had called the Housing Parks and Recreation office to ask about camping.

For St. Thomas/Water Island, you can not camp on Magens Bay without securing a permit/permission from the Parks and Recreation Department. You can call them at (340)774-0255.

St. John - no camping in the National Park which includes several beaches unless at designated campgrounds.

St. Croix: You can not camp on beaches that are known Sea Turtle Egg Laying Beaches - like Sandy Point for example. You can call them at (340)773-9696 if you want to ask more questions.

There are a few islands/cays that are protected as bird sanctuaries that would be off limits.

Overall I was told that camping on other beaches (beside Magens, National Park and Sea Turtle Beaches) are "Camp at Your Own Risk".

None would tell me camp at this beach; they did say which ones you could not. You can call them and see if there have been any changes.

Hope that helps.

--Islander

Dear Islander,

Thank you soooo much for all the information, you've been such a big help!
It's a shame more residents don't go camping... I always thought it was fun getting a group together, drink a few beers etc. and just hang out and relax. I guess ill have to try to get a crew together when we move there 🙂

Im sure ill be asking you more questions! I really do appreciate all the help from everyone on this board. You guys sure do make people feel more at ease about moving and it's nice to know that we're moving to a place where people are genuinely helpful and friendly..so THANK YOU!

Jen 🙂

Jen&Jason,
I brought my tent over to Jost to stay at Ivan's last October and had the place (and Ivan) almost to myself. Pitched it for $15/noc I think, under a palm tree. Became a member of the "International Everchanging All-Star Band", was a great time. Check it out.