West St Croix - Salt River National Historic Park & Ecological Preserve

In 1993, 700ac/283ha of land surrounding the Salt River Bay estuary was designated as a national historical park and ecological preserve. Salt River is the only documented site of Christopher Columbus landing on U.S. soil, and on November 14, 1493 a group of Native Americans called the Carib struck back at European invaders.

French, English and Danish colonies also attempted to settle along the bay. Today, many yachts moor in the bay, and the park and mangrove canals are best toured by kayak. Birds in the area include roseate terns and peregrine falcons.