Updated in November 2026, this Cinnamon Bay guide covers beach fees, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Cinnamon Bay is a white-sand beach, campground and plantation site on the north shore of St John, inside Virgin Islands National Park in the US Virgin Islands. Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground closes every September and October and is open again from November.
Quick facts about Cinnamon Bay
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Beach open 24 hours a day, all year. Beach chair rentals 8am to 4pm daily. Campground open November to August. |
| Ticket prices | No entrance or beach fee. Rentals and camping are charged separately. |
| Address | North Shore Road (Route 20), Cinnamon Bay, St John, VI 00830 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Car park at the beach, with limited spaces. Taxis run from Cruz Bay. |
| Typical time needed | Half a day |
Cinnamon Bay opening hours
Cinnamon Bay is open 24 hours a day, every day, because it is part of Virgin Islands National Park, but its rentals and campground keep set hours.
| Facility | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Beach and national park trails | 24 hours daily |
| Beach chair rentals | 8am to 4pm daily |
| Campground | Open November to August, closed in September and October |
The year-round hours for the beach are the same in every season, although the park is busiest from November to April. Check-in at the campground begins at 4pm and check-out is at 10am.
Cinnamon Bay ticket prices
There is no entrance fee for Cinnamon Bay or for Virgin Islands National Park, and Trunk Bay is the only national park beach on St John that charges a fee.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Beach and park entry | Free |
| Bare campsite | From about $50 a night |
| Eco-tent | About $190 to $245 a night, depending on the type |
| Rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, chairs) | Charged by the concessioner |
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in November 2026.
Camping and rentals are run by Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground, which is the only place to camp in the national park. Reservations are made on the campground’s website or on 340-714-7144. Cinnamon Bay is not part of any city pass scheme.
How to get to Cinnamon Bay
Cinnamon Bay is on North Shore Road (Route 20), about 4 miles from Cruz Bay, and the main routes are by taxi or car.
- By taxi: Taxis run from Cruz Bay to the north shore beaches, and fares are charged per person.
- By car: Take North Shore Road east from Cruz Bay. Traffic in the US Virgin Islands drives on the left.
- By bus: The hourly Vitran bus runs along Centerline Road, which crosses the island above Cinnamon Bay, rather than along North Shore Road.
- By ferry: St John has no airport, so visitors fly into St Thomas and take the ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay or the seasonal Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry.
Parking at Cinnamon Bay
Parking at Cinnamon Bay is limited, and the beach car park fills quickly from late morning to mid afternoon.
Arrive before 10am for the best chance of a space. Visitors who arrive later should take a taxi from the Cruz Bay ferry dock. Park only in designated areas to protect the vegetation.
How long to spend at Cinnamon Bay
Most visitors need about half a day at Cinnamon Bay to swim, snorkel and walk the nature loop.
| Activity | Length |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop | Under half a mile, easy |
| Spur trail to America Hill ruins | 0.38 miles |
| Beach and snorkelling | Allow 2 to 3 hours |
The beach is about half a mile long. Allow a full day if you plan to add a hike on the Cinnamon Bay Trail or visit nearby beaches.
Accessibility at Cinnamon Bay
Cinnamon Bay has a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, accessible rooms and an accessible restroom, but the beach itself is sand.
The self-guided trail through the plantation ruins has an accessible boardwalk for the first part of its length. Its entrance is across from the exit gate of the beach and campground. The campground has accessible units and an accessible restroom in the main building, and beach wheelchairs are available. Ramps and paths can be affected by storms and high swell.
What to see at Cinnamon Bay
The beach is a long stretch of soft white sand with calm water and small waves. It is one of the longest beaches on St John.
Snorkelling is best around the small rocky cay out from the beach and along the rocks at the east and west ends, where turtles and reef fish can be seen. Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards and beach chairs are rented from the campground.
The Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop is a self-guided trail through the ruins of Cinnamon Bay Plantation. A boardwalk covers the first section, and a spur leads to the ruins of America Hill, which have views over Maho and Francis bays.
The General Store and cafe sell ice, sunscreen, snacks and souvenirs, and the restaurant serves food. Bathrooms with individual shower stalls are available to day visitors.
The campground has bare sites, eco-tents and cottages. It is the only campground in Virgin Islands National Park.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive before 10am for parking, and use the 8am to 4pm rental hours for chairs and gear. |
| Crowds | The beach car park is busiest from late morning to mid afternoon, and the park is busiest from November to April. |
| Layout | The beach, rentals, general store and campground are together, and the nature loop starts across from the beach exit gate. |
| Entry process | There is no gate or fee, but campers must reserve in advance with Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground. |
| On-site logistics | Bring reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent, and carry water for hikes of half a gallon for every four hours. |
Frequently asked questions about Cinnamon Bay
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Cinnamon Bay suitable for children? | Yes. The beach has small waves, and the Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop is under half a mile and rated easy. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Cinnamon Bay? | No. Day visits need no tickets, but camping must be reserved with Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground. |
| Is Cinnamon Bay open on Sundays? | Yes. The beach is open 24 hours a day, and beach chairs are rented daily from 8am to 4pm. |
| Can you camp at Cinnamon Bay? | Yes. Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground is the only campground in Virgin Islands National Park, and it is open from November to August. |
| Can you rent snorkel gear at Cinnamon Bay? | Yes. Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards and chairs are rented from the campground. |
Things to do near Cinnamon Bay
- Trunk Bay: A national park beach with an underwater snorkel trail and a $5 entry fee for visitors aged 16 and over.
- Hawksnest Bay: A beach on the north shore with restrooms and changing stalls.
- Maho Bay: A popular snorkel spot on the north shore, with non-park concessions.
- Francis Bay: A beach with an accessible boardwalk to a salt pond, where birds can be seen.
- Annaberg Plantation: The ruins of a sugar plantation on the north shore, with an accessible path through the site.
Alternative attractions to Cinnamon Bay
Other beaches and nature sites in the US Virgin Islands include these. Honeymoon Beach and Salt Pond Bay are on St John, and the rest need a ferry or flight.
- Honeymoon Beach, St John: A beach reached on foot from Cruz Bay along the 1.5-mile Lind Point Trail, with food vendors.
- Salt Pond Bay, St John: A protected bay and beach on the south shore, reached by a short trail and popular for snorkelling.
- Magens Bay, St Thomas: A long beach on the north side of St Thomas.
- Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St Croix: A turtle nesting beach on the south-west tip of the island, closed during nesting season from April to August.
- Buck Island Reef National Monument, St Croix: A marine national monument with a snorkel trail, reached by boat.
