Where to Park in Cruz Bay, St. John
Cruz Bay is small, busy, and short on parking. A handful of free lots fill by mid-morning; several paid lots almost always have a spot. Here’s every option on the map, what it costs, how to pay, and how to actually find a space in peak season.
Pins 1–5 match the lots below. Tap the map to open it in Google Maps.
The Short Answer
If you’re driving into Cruz Bay, plan on paid parking. The free lots — behind the Customs building, by the DMV, and at the National Park Visitor Center — are small and usually full by mid-morning. The reliable options are the paid lots below (plus a free two-hour Port Authority lot for quick stops), all a few minutes’ walk from the ferry dock and town.
A note on prices: parking rates in Cruz Bay seem to change frequently — these are small, independently run lots. Treat every rate on this page as approximate and confirm the current price at the lot (or by phone) before you rely on it.
The Cruz Bay Parking Lots
The six lots below are all mapped above and within a few minutes’ walk of the ferry dock. Five are paid all-day options; the sixth (Henry Samuel St / Port Authority) is free but capped at two hours.
LumberyardPaid📍 Google Maps
The largest lot in town — roughly 60 spaces, open 24/7, on Cruz Bay Road across from the Inter‑Island / National Park dock, so it’s the natural choice if you’re catching a boat or heading into the park. You pay through the HonkMobile app (no attendant, no cash), and you can top up your time from your phone without walking back to the car.
King StreetPaid📍 Google Maps
A centrally located paid lot in the middle of town, right next to the Lime Inn (a handy landmark — the lot is easy to spot once you find the restaurant). It’s $20 for two hours or $50 for the full day, and it generally opens around 8:00 AM. Good for a day of shopping, lunch, and errands in town.
Slim Man'sPaid📍 Google Maps
A small paid lot across from Wharfside Village, just up the street from the passenger ferry dock — about as close as you can park to the boats. Rates run $10 per hour. Handy for a quick ferry drop-off or a short trip into town when the free lots are full.
L&LPaid📍 Google Maps
A paid lot on Prince Street, near the police station (by Fatty Crab), a roughly two-minute walk from the ferry dock. It’s run by L&L Jeep Rental — renters get a discounted rate, and the general public can park too. Rates aren’t posted online; call the rental office at (340) 776‑1120 for the current price.
VIPA Gravel LotPaid📍 Google Maps
The big gravel lot run by the Virgin Islands Port Authority, down by the Theovald Eric Moorehead Dock (the car barge dock) at Enighed Pond. It’s open 24 hours and is the cheapest paid option — historically about $8 a day (monthly passes have run around $165). Short walk into town. One caution: part of this area is reserved for police vehicles — don’t park in the marked police section.
Henry Samuel St (Port Authority)Free · 2-hr📍 Google Maps
Also known as the Cruz Bay Parking Lot or Port Authority lot (officially the Victor W. Sewer Marine Terminal), on Henry Samuel Street directly across from the post office, steps from the passenger ferry dock. It offers free two-hour parking, 6 AM–6 PM daily — but daily, long-term, and overnight parking aren’t permitted, so it’s for quick errands and ferry drop-offs, not a beach day. Heads up on the traffic: Henry Samuel Street in front of the lot is one-way toward the passenger ferry dock. Leaving the lot, you can turn right toward the ferry dock or left toward Vester Gade.
Free Parking Lots (arrive early or forget it)
Cruz Bay does have free parking — there just isn’t much of it, and it fills fast. These are realistic only if you’re in town early:
- Cruz Bay Customs lot — free, behind the US Customs Building near the public restrooms (across from the post office). Central and popular, so it fills first.
- DMV lot — a small free lot next to the tennis courts, up the road from the car barge dock. Fills quickly.
- National Park Visitor Center — free but limited, and intended for visitors doing park activities.
- Mongoose Junction — the shopping center up the north-shore road has parking too, but it’s a bit further from the ferry dock(so it’s left off the map above). It’s primarily for customers, and a few spaces near Made in St. John are now paid (QR-code payment).
- Your rental agency’s lot — if you’re renting a car or Jeep from a Cruz Bay agency, they will often let you park in their lot for free for the length of your rental. Ask when you pick up — it’s the easiest free parking in town if you’ve already got a rental.
Cruz Bay Parking at a Glance
| # | Lot | Type | Approx. Rate | Pay By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lumberyard | Paid | Pay by app | HonkMobile app (credit card / PayPal) |
| 2 | King Street | Paid | $20 / 2 hr · $50 / day | Attended / cash |
| 3 | Slim Man's | Paid | $10 / hr | Attended / cash |
| 4 | L&L | Paid | Call for rate | Office / cash |
| 5 | VIPA Gravel Lot | Paid | ~$8 / day | Cash / attendant |
| 6 | Henry Samuel St (Port Authority) | Free · 2-hr | Free (2-hr limit) | No charge · 6 AM–6 PM |
| — | Customs / DMV / NPS | Free | Free | Small; fill by mid-morning |
Rates shown are approximate and seem to change frequently — confirm the current price at the lot before you rely on it.
Tips for Finding a Spot
- Arrive early for free parking. The Customs, DMV, and Park lots are usually full by 9–10 AM in season. If you’re not in town early, skip straight to a paid lot.
- In peak season (Dec–April), just plan to pay. Circling for a free spot burns more time than a paid lot costs.
- Download HonkMobile before you go if you’ll use Lumberyard — you can start and extend your session from your phone.
- Carry small bills. Several lots are cash-friendly and attendants may not make change for large bills.
- Don’t park in the police section of the gravel lot by the car barge — it’s marked and enforced.
- Day-tripping from St. Thomas? You may not need to park at all — take the passenger ferry over and taxi around St. John instead.
Getting to St. John (with or without a car)
Live ferry schedules, the car barge, official taxi fares, and beach conditions — everything you need to plan a St. John day, free on VIslandGuide.