Good Morning! There are some important updates coming our way for the Virgin Islands National Park that you’ll want to know about. The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing adjustments to the park’s fee structure, which could take effect as early as January 1, 2025, so let’s dive into what these proposed fees might mean for you.
Changes at Trunk Bay
For those who love spending time at Trunk Bay, get ready for some changes. The current entry fee of $5 for visitors ages 15 and older is proposed to double to $10, and it will now apply to anyone 10 years of age or older. Additionally, the NPS is reintroducing an annual pass at Trunk Bay, which will be $60 per person for ages 10 and older. If you hold an Interagency Senior or Access Pass, the fees will increase from $2.50 to $5..
Mooring Fees on the Rise
For those who love to anchor under the stars, take note! The NPS is planning to increase mooring fees for overnight stays. If your vessel is up to 60 feet, the nightly rate could increase from $26 to $40. For larger vessels over 60 feet, you might see a jump from $26 to $60 per night. Importantly, these mooring fees will now be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, rather than just for overnight stays.
But here’s a silver lining for our savvy sailors: If you have an Interagency Senior or Access Pass, you’ll still enjoy discounted rates, with proposed fees set at $20 for standard vessels and $30 for larger ones.
Introducing New Fees
Hold on to your flip-flops, because the NPS is also proposing several new fees that could impact your visit:
- Caneel Bay Parking: $10 per day
- NPS Finger Pier: $1 per foot of vessel per day
- NPS Bulkhead/Dinghy Dock: $5 per day or $150 per year
- NPS Boat Launch: $10 per launch/retrieval or $100 per year
These new fees aim to align with local market rates and ensure that the park’s facilities are maintained at the highest standard. The NPS has conducted comparability studies to ensure that these fees do not unfairly compete with nearby private businesses, maintaining a balanced economic environment on the island.
Purpose Behind the Proposed Changes
The proposed fee increases are part of a broader effort by the NPS to ensure that Virgin Islands National Park continues to offer a high-quality visitor experience. These changes will support improved facilities, a greater presence of park personnel to address common issues such as resource damage, and enhanced maintenance of amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and landscape maintenance. The park aims to maintain its services at the standard expected of a national park while continuing to provide economic opportunities for the local community and businesses.
The fees have not been increased since 2015, and this proposal aligns with comparable public and private service providers in the Virgin Islands. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) authorizes the NPS to collect and retain revenue in the form of entrance and amenity fees. The law allows parks like Virgin Islands National Park to retain 80 percent of the fees collected in the park for use on projects that directly enhance the experience of park visitors. The remaining 20 percent of all collected fees is distributed throughout the National Park System.
Your Voice Matters!
The NPS wants to hear from the community about these proposed changes. They’re hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM at the new Resource Management and Science building conference room at Lind Point. If you can’t make it in person, you can still share your thoughts by submitting comments online or by mail until October 9, 2024.
Here is the original release from the NPS: https://parkplanning.nps.
There have been some complaints about moorings failing. I hope this will be addressed
The increase of NPS fees is long overdue. St John is a jewel in the Caribbean, and a fragile natural and cultural resources. The NPS needs the support from all of us who always enjoy their resources. We are sooo lucky to have them managing the beauty of StJohn!
I think there should be a $5 supplement to all inbound ferry charges transferred to Friends of the Park, automatically waived for passengers presenting an ID with a Virgin Islands address.
The ambiance created by the park benefits everyone but the geography precludes an admission charge like for Yellowstone, etc.
charge the tourists. !!!
No one should have an issue with those fees, be happy to pay them.I really think that people dont understand what it costs to operate such a large place
¿¿¿comparability studies to ensure that these fees do not “unfairly” compete with nearby private businesses,????
I wonder what the meaning of
” unfairly” is. After all, it is generally understood that government/ public facilities should really offer not just a “competitive” fee structure “comparable” to private facilities but a more reasonable, much lower fee structure for those that cannot afford or simply do not wish to pay the steep prices of private business. Let private business compete among them and public resources offer an alternative to fee fixing between private interests.
Let’s remember the NPs mission and the reason we have National Parks – “ to conserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed the inspiration of this park for many years for for only one reason, I could afford to fly, taxi , ferry and camp at Cinnamon bay. Many Americans, for whom the park was established and who through their taxes have helped support the park, cannot say the same. These folks likely will never have the opportunity to experience what we hold so dear and love. By increasing fees, the NP service erects more barriers to greater public access and moves further from their designated mission. I for one do not support NPs for the rich! Which in many aspects this park has become. Parks are for all Americans and just as all are required to pay taxes to support them, their access should be guaranteed! Without burdensome fees.
Public resources should not be competing with private facilities. They must offer a much more reasonable fee structure for its facilities regardless of private facilities price levels.
Be ware. All this sounds good but you may very well be moving St John to a point of unaffordable to your cash cows. US
What is an interagency Senior or Access Pass? How does one apply for these? Pat Denny-Serenity villa
Is there still a long term cruise / mooring permit ?Can we qualify for senior long term permit if owners are all senior (but free is not)
I am all for the fees however, part of the increase is for additional personnel and you need to train existing personnel to be more welcoming to the NPS guests. At truck Bay today the NPS personnel were less than welcoming and there attitude is in need of improvement. If you hire more personnel make sure they realize where there salary comes from and be more cordial to guests.
As taxpayers, we pay for the Park and all of its facilities.
Why pay twice?
Charter Boats already pay a yearly fee to operate in NP waters.
The fees will just go to enforcement and not benefit the NP
Eliminate the fees so we can all enjoy what we already pay for
That’s the stipulation Rockefeller told the NP.
He said it should be free for all Americans to enjoy.
Well we know that didn’t happen.
Totally reasonable. Thank you National Park Service!
The increase is for an important reason. If used properly the added fees will go directly to protecting and maintaining the beauty we all know and love. We all want to see that. I am glad to pay more because I know it’s worth it. With all the money that travels in and out, tourists should support the maintenance and landscape and waterways they use because it’s so fragile. I do believe no increase and reduced fees for residents.
Under Trunk Bay, you say “If you hold an Interagency Senior or Access Pass, the fees will INCREASE from $2.50 to $5.”
Don’t you mean the other way around?
Kathy,
Going from $2.50 to $5.00 is an increase. Why would it be the other way around?
As a tourist I have no problem with the increase but residents should be exempt.
NPS mismanagement. they were just given the golden goose of the island and they can’t get their butts moving to milk it.
yes you can milk geese. 😉