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Top Things to Do in the US Virgin Islands

By Teresa Plowright, About.com

7 of 10

Things to Do in the USVI: St. John - Virgin Islands National Park

"Mom, what's that giant lump stuck on that tree trunk?" Top marks to any parent or kid who guesses "termite nest," during a hike in Virgin Islands National Park.

It's an amazing fact that most of the island of St. John --two-thirds, or three-quarters, depending on your source-- is a National Park. This happy situation is thanks to Laurance Rockefeller, who bought up most of the land in the fifies and then donated it; he also established a small, luxury-camping site at Caneel Bay. (The Caneel Bay Resort is considerably more upscale today.)

One of the great things about National Parks are their (free or minimal-cost) ranger programs that combine fun and education. Head to the Park's Visitors Center in Cruz Bay and check out hikes with park rangers, and other Park activitiessuch as nature and history talks and snorkel trips. The Park includes marine areas.

- continue to Top Things to do in the USVI - St. John, Trunk Bay

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