Hiking Trails and Arboretum
The Discovery Nature Trail is a moderately challenging but well-maintained hiking trail that winds through a variety of ecosystems in the preserve, showcasing the island’s beautiful wildlife. Start your hike from one of two trailheads, the trailhead off Magens Bay Road at Canaan or from Magens Bay on the west side of the beach.
We suggest that you begin your adventure near the top of the trail, at the Magens Bay Road/Canaan trailhead. Begin with some bird watching at the wooden platform overlooking Magens Bay. Spend some time observing the 263 species of native and migratory birds found on the island, including the golden warbler, stilt sandpiper, peregrine falcon and piping plover.
Next, amble the 1 ½ miles down a gentle slope to Magens Bay Beach. As you follow the trail, you’ll travel through multiple ecosystems – starting in a mixed-dry forest, moving into moist-tropical forest, then across a boardwalk passing through mangroves and finally arriving at the picturesque beach.
Explore Magen's Bay Arboretum
Magens Bay arboretum, a shady restful grove of native and exotic trees, was designed and planted by Arthur S. Fairchild, who, in 1927, owned several estates including Louisenhoj and Magens Bay, on the north shore of St.Thomas. Mr. Fairchild was a great humanitarian with keen interest in nature. He kept meticulous notes on the hundreds of trees and plants which he imported from tropical areas all over the world. He also attempted to identify the insects that he observed on his properties. Mr. Fairchild deeded the arboretum and Magens Bay Beach to the people of the Virgin Islands in 1947. Over the years some of the trees were destroyed by various hurricanes that passed through the area, but some survived and are still here today. With the addition of 160 rare and unusual exotic trees planted in 1997, the arboretum is once again home to such species as Genip (Melicoccus Bijugata) , Turpentine (Bursera Simaraba), Manpoo (Pisonia Subcordata), Mahogany and much more.
