Magens Bay Discovery Nature Trail

Hiking trails St. Thomas NorthsideLast verified October 31, 2026

Around Northside

Calm, clear water along Magens Bay beach facing the wooded slopes of Peterborg — Magens Bay, St. Thomas

Small boats moored in the turquoise water of Hull Bay, with homes on the hillside above the rocky point and a cay offshore — Hull Bay, St. Thomas

Sand and pebble shore of Mandahl Bay Beach on the north side of St. Thomas, with a rock breakwater and a green hillside — Mandahl Bay, St. Thomas

The Discovery Nature Trail runs about 1.5 miles through the Magens Bay Authority's preserve on the north side of St. Thomas, from a trailhead off Magens Bay Road at Canaan to the west side of Magens Bay beach. The Authority calls it moderately challenging but well maintained and says the hike takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. It suggests starting at the top, at a wooden platform over the bay, then walking a gentle downhill slope through dry forest and moist tropical forest and across a mangrove boardwalk to the beach. The Department of Tourism warns of steep stretches and slippery rocks, so wear sturdy shoes and bring insect repellent and water; it suggests a drop-off at the upper trailhead. The lower end is inside Magens Bay Park, open daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., which charges an entrance fee and has a three-acre arboretum that Arthur Fairchild planted.

Services

About 1.5 miles from the Canaan trailhead to the beach, about 1 hour 20 minutes (Magens Bay Authority)
Moderately challenging, with steep, slippery stretches
Bird-watching platform and mangrove boardwalk
Beach end in Magens Bay Park: $7 visitors, $2 residents with local ID, $2 parking (October 2026)

How we checked

Last verified on October 31, 2026. We checked it against the sources below.

Source: Magens Bay Authority, https://magensbayauthority.org/hiking-trail-arboretum/ (Discovery Nature Trail; trailheads off Magens Bay Road at Canaan and on the west side of the beach; moderately challenging but well maintained; start at the top; wooden bird-watching platform; 1.5 miles down a gentle slope through mixed-dry and moist-tropical forest and a mangrove boardwalk; arboretum designed and planted by Arthur S. Fairchild; copyright 2024), https://magensbayauthority.org/ (trail takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, three-acre arboretum, open every day 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., phone 340-777-6300), https://magensbayauthority.org/passes/ (daily passes $7 for non-residents, $2 for residents with local ID, children under 12 free, parking $2) and https://magensbayauthority.org/faqs/ (entrance fee; bring plenty of water); USVI Department of Tourism, https://www.visitusvi.com/experience/st-thomas-hiking-trails/ (well maintained, sometimes steep, slippery rocks, sturdy shoes, bug spray, drop-off at the top of the trail at Magens Bay Road and Canaan; Tourism also describes a 1.5-mile loop); all accessed 2026-10-31. Map point: GNIS feature 1613777, 'Canaan' (Populated Place), the locality the Authority names for the upper trailhead, not the trailhead itself; no agency publishes a trailhead coordinate. U.S. Geological Survey GNIS, current Virgin Islands file, https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/GeographicNames/DomesticNames/DomesticNames_VI_Text.zip, accessed 2026-10-31.

USVI Realty does not rank, rate or endorse the places and services in this directory. Hours, fees and rules change, so check the official source before you go.