Salt River Bay Information
Salt River Bay
Salt River Bay is located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve is a unique blend of history and outdoor adventure. Offering one of the oldest surviving buildings in Virgin Island history and plenty of underwater sports with scuba diving and snorkeling and tropical sunshine, there will be plenty for the whole family here. Check below for further Salt River Bay National Historical Park and ecological Preserve information.
Uniqueness
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve is a living museum on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Prehistoric and colonial-era archeological sites and ruins are found in a dynamic, tropical ecosystem that supports threatened and endangered species.
In 1992 Congress created Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve as part of the National Park System. The National Park Service and Government of the United States Virgin Islands jointly manage this 1,015-acre park. The area’s blend of sea and land holds some of the largest remaining mangrove forests in the Virgin Islands, as well as coral reefs and a submarine canyon.
Salt River Bay’s natural history, its vitally important ecosystem of mangroves, estuary, coral reefs, and submarine canyon, has witnessed thousands of years of human endeavor. Every major period of human habitation in the Virgin Islands is represented: several South American Indian cultures, the 1493 encounter with Columbus, Spanish extermination of the Caribs, attempts at colonization by a succession of European nations, and enslaved West Africans and their descendants. More than a dozen major archeological investigations since 1880, together with historical research, reveal this remarkable story.
Salt River was the focal point of several attempts to colonize St. Croix in the mid 17th century. The frequent change of ownership by force of arms was typical of the European struggle for dominance in the New World, in which the West Indies was considered pivotal. First the English, the Dutch, the English again and finally the French controlled the area. The settlement there, small and primitive, was built in part atop a prehistoric site, and extended along the western shore of the bay. It served a system of fledgling plantations growing cotton, indigo, sugar, and a variety of food staples. The only surviving structural evidence of this turbulent period in the Virgin Island history is the triangular earthwork fortification at Salt River begun by the English in 1641 and completed by the Dutch the following year. This feature is the only one of its type, dating from this period, that has survived in the West Indies, and possible in North America as well.
Salt River was the focal point of several attempts to colonize St. Croix in the mid 17 Th century. The frequent change of ownership by force of arms was typical of the European struggle for dominance in the New World, in which the West Indies was considered pivotal. First the English, the Dutch, the English again and finally the French controlled the area. The settlement there, small and primitive, was built in part atop a prehistoric site, and extended along the western shore of the bay. It served a system of fledgling plantations growing cotton, indigo, sugar, and a variety of food staples. The only surviving structural evidence of this turbulent period in the Virgin Island history is the triangular earthwork fortification at Salt River begun by the English in 1641 and completed by the Dutch the following year. This feature is the only one of its type, dating from this period, that has survived in the West Indies, and possible in North America as well.
There are currently no visitor services authorized by the National Park Service at Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. The park is still in the developmental stage. Until there is a visitor contact station at Salt River Bay, information may be obtained at the National Park Service visitor contact station at Fort Christiansvaern, Christiansted National Historic Site. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Salt River Bay’s natural history, its vitally important ecosystem of mangroves, estuary, coral reefs, and submarine canyon, has witnessed thousands of years of human endeavor. Every major period of human habitation in the Virgin Islands is represented: several South American Indian cultures, the 1493 encounter with Columbus, Spanish extermination of the Caribs, attempts at colonization by a succession of European nations, and enslaved West Africans and their descendants. More than a dozen major archeological investigations since 1880, together with historical research, reveal this remarkable story.
Salt River was the focal point of several attempts to colonize St. Croix in the mid 17 Th century. The frequent change of ownership by force of arms was typical of the European struggle for dominance in the New World, in which the West Indies was considered pivotal. First the English, the Dutch, the English again and finally the French controlled the area. The settlement there, small and primitive, was built in part atop a prehistoric site, and extended along the western shore of the bay. It served a system of fledgling plantations growing cotton, indigo, sugar, and a variety of food staples. The only surviving structural evidence of this turbulent period in the Virgin Island history is the triangular earthwork fortification at Salt River begun by the English in 1641 and completed by the Dutch the following year. This feature is the only one of its type, dating from this period, that has survived in the West Indies, and possible in North America as well.
Wear light-weight cool clothing. Use sunscreen with SPF-30 and wear a wide brimmed hat. Drink plenty of water.
There are no fees.
There are no campsites at Salt River Bay . St. Croix has one campsite, at Mt. Victory on the island’s west end.
Christiansted National Historic Site is 5 miles away. Buck Island Reef National Monument is 10 miles away. Virgin Islands National Park is 50 miles away.
The park is five miles from Christiansted National Historic Site and can be reached by car via Rt. 75 from Christiansted , connecting to Rt. 80. Cars may be rented at the airport and various other island locations.
Fort Christiansvaern, Christiansted National Historic Site, 2100 Church St. #100, Danish Custom House, Christiansted , St. Croix , VI 00820
Visitor Information 340-773-1460
By Fax 340-773-5995
