The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is one of the richest biodiversity sites in the world and a nature lover's paradise. It is home to over 1,300 flowering plant species, the largest butterfly in the Americas - the 6-inch Giant Swallowtail (Papilio homerus) and over 200 species of native and migratory birds. The broadleaf forest bears the footprints of two of the oldest communities in the Caribbean - the Amerindian Taino and the Windward Maroons.
The national park covers over 100,000 acres (41,000 hectares) in eastern Jamaica and includes Jamaica's highest point - the Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256m. Visitors can enjoy nature walks and hiking, birdwatching, camping and stays in wood cabins complete with fireplaces.
The Blue and John Mountains National Park was inscribed to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site for mixed criteria (cultural and natural) in 2015. The park is managed by the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust (JCDT); a registered charity. The JCDT maintains three main recreational areas within the park, Holywell Recreational Area and Cabins, the Blue Mountain Peak Trail and Portland Gap Cabins - the last rest stop on the Peak Trail.
