Not stayed but visited. It is a deep woods campground. Interesting, but definitely not the typical "island" experience.

But it's only a short drive to the BEACH!

Actually, a "deep woods" is a "tropical island feel." St. Croix used to be all forest. I've never had the time to go in, but it's in the northwest forest off of Creque (creaky) Road. A guidebook I have says you will find the Mount Victory ruins and mill and the impressive factory ruins of Estate Nicholas in the area.

This part of the island is very remote, mountainous, shady, and gorgeous. Very few tourists see it. I would definitely visit if you have the chance. It's only a 15-minute drive from Fredericksted. I think I'll go there this weekend!

Let me know what you find.

Bob

I briefly went to the camp on Saturday, 8/28. It's right off Creque Road, which is paved but at present has a lot of potholes and is very overgrown. The road is also steep and winding, so you drive through at about 5-10 mph, and sometimes slower. The road is dark with a lot of light and shadow, which makes it difficult to see the potholes. This is one of the experiences you can have here that's so fun! I live on the dry east end with sparse vegetation, and every time I go out to the wetter west end, I feel like I'm on a totally different island.

The camp is very nice. There are areas that are cleared and planted with lawn, and you get some good views into nearly deserted mountains. The mountains here always remind me of those in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Very Appalachian looking. I climbed up a dirt road to the top of Mount Victory. The view is pretty good, with some private lots and houses that somewhat get in the way.

I talked briefly with someone in charge. They were preparing a pig roast for dinner. Apparently, the place is popular with the locals. They're having another one tonight, Sunday 8/29. It's a fundraiser for the Rotary Club.

Personally, I think it's worth visiting, but I wouldn't stay there overnight because the accomodations are open-air. The insects come out at night and they are loud. I'd want to be in an enclosed structure with good screens. However, I'd call the place and try to do dinner there. Also, a crumbling greathouse that later became a school is on the property. I find these things very interesting to see up close.

I found a nearby place I liked even better-Estate Mount Washington Plantation, which is actually the remains of an entire small village. We have two Mt. Washingtons, one east and one west. This, of course, is the western one. You drive a couple of miles north of Fredericksted along the Western Road, then go up a dirt road heading east. (Incidentally, all the dirt roads in the area were recently leveled and are easy to drive on. That's unusual here!)

There are the remains of a cemetary, rum factory with a restored animal mill (turnstile to grind sugar cane), manager's house, stables (now an antique shop), slave dwellings, and cottage. The greathouse has been fully restored. Everything is marked with signs.

Apparently, a bad hurricane in 1899 caused the owners to flee the greathouse. The village was occupied until the 1930s. In 1984, the forgotten greathouse was found buried in vegetation and was restored. (Many similar places are still buried in overgrowth.)

I would definitely visit this place because it gives you an idea of what most of our history is. We had slavery for 176 years but only recently freedom for 156. There is a lot more on these islands than just a lot of nice beaches!

Thanks for the first hand. We like the outdoors but I think I'd get shot if I took my wife there on our first trip to an island.She wants to see what clear water looks like, might be worth a day trip if time permits although I'm going to try hard to not carry a watch.

Thanks again
Bob

Actually, you can see the estate in about an hour, and it's 5 minutes from the beach. The property goes all the way down to the ocean.