Francis Bay Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The boardwalk section can be slippery when wet, especially after rain — watch your footing on the turns near the viewing platforms.
Mosquitoes and no-see-ums thrive in the mangrove section, particularly in the late afternoon. Apply insect repellent before you start, not after you are already being eaten alive.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Hit the trail early morning — before nine — when the salt pond is most active with birdlife and the light through the mangroves is at its warmest and most photogenic.
Bring binoculars, not trekking poles. This trail is flat and gentle, but the birding opportunities are world-class, and you will regret squinting at that green heron from fifty yards away.
After the boardwalk, walk the extra few minutes down to Francis Bay Beach itself — one of the quieter north shore beaches on St. John, and a perfect reward for a morning spent on your feet.
Photos
NPS
