Cinnamon Bay is fairly economical, especially if you are bare site-ing. You may not be able to get in though this close to your dates. Nice beach.
The staff can be less than pleasant. We stayed there twice years ago, and the staff were a bit unfriendly and stiff. They seemed to begrudge helping, serving you. But other than the cold water showers, wasn't a bad place, just not special.
Though I have not stayed there, I have heard that Maho Campgrounds are great. Maybe try that. Good luck! Have Fun!

I found the staff as nice as anyone who works in a hot, humid campground serving people who spend the day at the beach! Just greet everyone properly. I prefer Cinnamon to Maho because the beach is huge and right there at your feet. Otherwise, I'd go with Maho. Maho has a great store (prefer it to the supermarket), great activities, hot showers and a good restaurant.

we didnt stay at cinnamon, just looked around, the bare-sites are the cheapest, but looked hot and buggy. The tents are green canvas and VERY basic, we didnt look in the cottages, but they were small, and all next to each other, like a cheap motel. I really roccomend Maho bay camps, they have a special rate for single travelers.. 45/ night and the tent cottages are fantastic, very very well equipped and well ventilated..

We stayed at CB this past spring for the firs time, in cottages, which were great. I thought the platform tents looked well equipped. They were mostly in groups. The bare sites were more private. I talked to many who were camping and heard no complaints. If your used to camping I think you will find CB to be a paradise. Very short easy walk to the beautiful beach, relatively close to Cruz Bay (vs Maho), decent restaurant, and good facilities. When we called CB prior to going I had the same reaction as you - seemingly not so friendly. But when there, we found the staff to be friendly and helpful. Like any place, you get friendly when you give friendly. We have not stayed at Maho but did look at it. Many who post here seem to love it. The terrain at Maho is very hilly compared to CB, if that makes a differance to you.

I was just on St John and met the manager of Cinn camp grounds a very nice and friendly lady , I didnt stay there , but will try soon , maho is very nice and lush and very hilly and remote must have jeep , if you dont want to waste precious time waiting for a taxi . time is precoius on st john at least it was for me. I think that no matter what you do on St. John you cant go wrong it just so sweet there . Really Americas little paradise
Have fun to all who are going soon. If anyone has any questions I would like to help Yolanda

To all. Thinking of a bare site. Packing in a tent and the like. Do they have a store with camping supplies, i.e. propane gas, etc.....

I just returned from a quick week on St. John and I spent three of the nights solo camping at Cinnamon. When I checked in the two people at the counter were very nice and even changed my bare site so it would be closer to the beach. I took with me a 10x12 dome tent and a queen size air mattress with battery powered pump. The tent and air mattress took up the major part of one large, wheeled suitcase. I thought the bathrooms and shower area were very nice for a campground. A bare site is $27 a night and I think the tent sites are $54. The tent sites have a fairly large square tent with 4 or 5 cots. If you would like I could email a couple of pictures I took of the campground. By the way, the beach at Cinnamon is very nice; I especially liked taking a swim in the evening and then watching the sunset.
Enjoy!
Jeff