November is slow especially for bare sites. When you check in you can ask for the best available or walk down and choose your own then come back up and let them know. There are some nice spots close to the beach, a couple are not too private, then there's also some up some hills. I don't recommend the ones close to the parking lot... too noisy.
I bought one of the mosquito racquets and used it just after zipping up for the night... November can be wet so there will be mosquitos. I used peppermint soap which seemed to help. Have fun, it's a nice time to be here.

Hi Cathy,Thanks for the info.I can't wait.It's going to be fun and adventurous to go it alone.This will be my 4th or 5th visit to St John (I've lost track) but my first time staying at Cinnamon Bay and tent camping.
My flight gets into St Thomas at 3pm and I am hoping to make it to Cinnamon by 5pm (before it gets dark!).
I'll ask at the desk for the site closest to the beach thats available.I would like to go down and take a look but unless I get there a little earlier than expected I'll probably just let them assign me a baresite.
Any more info or helpful hints you can give me would be great!
Debbie

I looked at the bare site thing for me and two daughters this month but could not figure out how to get a stove , cooking gear and other camping stuff there. I figured I would have to ship it there and was nervous about that.

Ric

Actually the trip is next month (got a bit ahead of myself). Any ideas appreciated in advance.

Ric

Ric,I read somewhere on another forum that Cinnamon Bay will rent a propane stove,lantern and ice chest to baresiters.
But I have NOT confirmed that with them.I am going to call and ask.I'll update asap.
Debbie

Ric,I didn't call yet but I did copy this from their website:

"Select camping equipment is available for rental. Please inquire at the Front Desk"

But I'll still call to confirm.
Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I took my girlfriend down for a 3 night stay (way to short!) in St. John this past March for a suprise birthday present. I needed to stay on a budget so we stayed one night in town at the Tamarind and then spent 2 nights at Cinnamon Bay. Overall we had a great time but I do have a few recommendations:

-Definetely get a site that is closer to the beach if you can, I miracously obtained a bare site less than a month before our trip (and thus was able to book it), but it was the very last available and right next to the taxi stand. This being said, it really wasn't too loud at all and I only woke up a few times hearning people arriving home - still felt a little "close" to parking and things though.

-I'm not sure what size tent you are bringing but I wish we would have either brought a larger tent (we had a small 2 person which did fit nicely in our luggage), OR packed together in a more organized way. The 2 nights we spent at the campsite it seemed like we never could find our stuff and weren't able to spread everything out like we could have in a hotel room w/ tables, etc.

-BIGGEST TIP - Don't get sunburned!!! My girlfriend got an absolutely horrible sunburn snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay and was absolutely misearable our last night at Cinammon. If we had been in a hotel at least she could have had air conditioning, a cool shower, and laid comfortable on her stomach. It put a damper on the end of our trip and she was in tears much of the night. Basically, just remember that you have to sleep in a tent everynight and that you only have cold showers. If you keep this in mind you'll be extra careful to wear sunscreen and take care of yourself since all the necessities aren't right there or down the street.

Cinammon Bay is beautiful and I wish we could have stayed longer. We were in such a hurry to see and do everything on St. John I don't think we took enough time to just sit back and relax - that's what I'd definetely do if I were to go back and stay at Cinammon anytime soon. Also, the food was good but don't get there late or they will have run out!

Hoping this helps and have a great trip,
T.J.

Wow T.J. Thanks for jumping in with all the helpful hints for a comfortable camping experience.I think I saw a product advertised on TV yesterday called 'Bull Frog'.It's a 30 spf and mosquito repellant all in one.I'm thinking of picking up a bottle if I can find it.That way I can kill two birds with one stone....sort of speak.
I'm going to request a site that's as close as possible to the beach.From the site map on their website #24 looks good.
So does C8.Also #53 and 54 look close to the beach too.
My tent is a 9 foot by 8 foot dome.With a good size rain fly.It seems really roomy inside so I should be able to store stuff in the tent with no problem.I also bought Seam Sealer to put on the seams so it reduces the chance of leakage if it rains.
I'll definitely be bringing some food and snacks with me and something to drink in case the store or restaurant is not open when I arrive.
Thanks again for all the helpful hints!
Debbie

Debbie,

Thanks for the info. What web site are you looking at? I do not see that info at cinnamonbay.com.

It sounds like you are going solo during off season so consider Maho bay. The single rate is only 60.00 per night! For about 30 bucks more per night you get a much more comfy place. Food for thought.

I have been interested in the bare sites since I saw them 25 years ago. That trip I stayed on Water Island. The park looked like too much fun, but at the time as I was single. Fast forward 20 years and four kids and we stayed in the concrete cabins at cinnamon bay and had a great time.

This trip was to be to California with a daughter graduating from high school, but the flights did not work with our schedule. I asked where else she wanted to go. She said "somewhere rustic and tropical", I said "how about St. John again".

That went over so well she invited one of her sisters to go with us. I booked Maho far a few days and we will see. We might stay longer or shift over to a bare site. That is what is nice about the slow season.

Ric

Ric,Go to their General Information page and the last one under Do's and Don'ts that starts out with 'sorry' is the paragraph it states that they rent out camping equipment.
I'm going to give them a call today after work.
I have stayed at Maho Bay quite a few years ago.It was fun but I like the thought of being close to the beach.And bringing my own tent I can insure that no bugs or mosquitos are in there with me when I go to sleep.
It's great that your taking another trip back to St John.If you decide to baresite it please come back and let me know how it went! Maybe you can tell me which sites looked good!
Anyway have a great time.Wish I didn't have to wait till November to go.
Debbie

Thanks for the info. Let us know what you find out. I might decide to bring a tent.

2 MORE WEEKS!!

Ric

Docric,I just called Cinnamon Bay Campground and talked to Mary. They do have the stove,lantern and ice chest for rent to baresiters.Just to be sure I would call them to ensure they'll have that equipment available to rent.Maybe when you make your reservation.She did ask what time of year I was coming and she said it would be no problem.
Good Luck and let me know how it goes!
Debbie

#60 is one of the nicest sites if you don't mind being up the hill. For all around convienience #24 is nice. Stay away from #38 the ants are terrible. #20 and #17 are also nice spots.
Andrew
Stop by for a fruity rum drink
I will be there Nov. 25th

Cinnamon Bay is my favorite place to stay. Everytime I stay on Cinnamon Bay I use Bare site 56, it is very private but it is also right by the beach.

Have fun!

I'll be baresite camping with my 2 sons during February vacation. I'll look forward to hearing how things went for you. Are you renting a car? I was hoping not to. Anyone know about buses?

Knowing there's always misunderstood common terms here and there I want to make sure about ice chests in the cabins. Are they coolers, or small refrigerators? Either way is fine, just trying to plan ahead for ice money if needed : )

Byron - Checked with Cinnamon Bay. Its a cooler in most cases; 8, 9 and 10 have small refrigerators.

Martha - There is a public bus on St. John, it travels along Centerline Road. Cinnamon is on North Shore Road. You could use taxis to get around if you don't rent a car.

--Islander

I found this trip report to be really good. its about using a baresite.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=5

I'm a huge fan of camping, yet am a little picky about my bathrooms. I'm a lady and love my privacy. I guess cam[ing and that dont really mix. What are the bathrooms like? Are they the half doors? Full doors? Is there any kind of openess to them? Please let me know. Thanks so much.