Point Udall, Millenium Monument

The Millennium Monument stands at Point Udall, which is the easternmost point of the United States, when you include its territories. The land mass of Point Udall literally points to the east, almost like an arrow, if you look at it from overhead. If you swam straight out and a little bit north, you’d be in the vicinity of Anguilla, which is part of the United Kingdom.

The feeling of splendor when you’re actually standing at Point Udall is indescribable. There are 360-degree views, and the sea stretches out to the horizon in all directions. There are very few places on earth that offer these kinds of views. Being there is quite humbling, in fact. The sheer ability of humankind to build such a stunning monument makes you think about the history of the U.S. from a very unique perspective. The Millennium Monument is actually a giant sundial. It works much like some of the earth’s ancient sundials, aligned to specific geometric coordinates. This makes it a fun and popular place to gather at sunrise and on full moons.

In fact, if you’re lucky, you may arrive at the Millennium Monument when a ceremony is taking place. Often on St. Croix, this location is chosen to hold spiritual gatherings, meditations, weddings and other special events. It’s not unusual to find groups of people practicing sunrise Yoga, circle drumming and chanting. Don’t be alarmed. There is a palpable positive energy in and around the Millennium Monument that people are naturally drawn to. You’ll feel it, too. This is a place of peace, to experience a sense of unity with your creator, your fellow humankind and Mother Nature herself. No visit to St. Croix is complete without a visit to the Millennium Monument on St. Croix.

How To Get To The Millenium Monument

The drive out to Point Udall and the Millennium Monument is part of the magnificence of the entire experience.

From Christiansted: Just take Highway 66 east from Hospital Street in downtown Christiansted. Highway 66 turns into the aptly-named East End Road. You’ll be driving parallel to the water on the northern side, with a view twists and turns along the way. You’ll notice that the more east you get, the more the landscape feels almost desert-like. It’s a fascinating phenomenon that has to do with St. Croix’s longitudinal position, but we won’t get into the technical details. Just enjoy feeling like you’re driving through a proper desert.

When you’re close, you’ll go past Cramer Park Beach on your left. Make a note of it, because this is a fantastic place to take a dip after your visit to the Millennium Monument at Point Udall. The entire journey will take you less than half an hour, or a bit longer if you drive Crucian-style and take your time.

From Frederiksted: From the west end of the island at Frederiksted, you’ll travel just under an hour to reach the Millennium Monument at Point Udall. The simplest path is to just take Centerline Road all the way to Melvin H. Evans Highway, to Highway 66, and then follow East End Road all the way to the point.

Parking: There’s a parking lot off to the right just before you round the final bend to arrive at the Millennium Monument. If you park here, you’ll need to hike the last yards. This parking lot serves a trailhead of the Jack and Isaac Bay Nature Preserve. Unfortunately, it’s not recommended to use this parking lot. Like elsewhere in the world, certain individuals may take advantage of an unattended vehicle. Instead, drive right on up to the monument by continuing down the road. This is better, anyway, for groups with kids or older members of the family.

Tip: Once there, be sure to take a photo for your social media or family photo album. The perfect spot to pose together is near the base, and there’s even a nice flat wall to sit on, with the words, “Point Udall, St. Croix V.I.” inscribed on it.

History of the Millenium Monument

In 1968, Point Udall was named in honor of Stewart Udall, who came from a long line of politicians and community leaders. Stewart Udall, whose name is etched into the Millennium Monument, worked tirelessly in aid of St. Croix’s economy during the span of his career. Notably, there is another Point Udall in Guam. The Guam Point Udall is the westernmost point of the United States, when all the territories are included.

The Millennium Monument was designed by a man named William Bill Rich of nearby St. John, U.S.V.I. It was constructed to celebrate the new millennium in the year 2000. It’s a genius design, and is actually a giant sundial. There’s a marker on the monument that explains how to read the sundial and what the stones mean.

Whether you're looking for a serene place to find your spiritual center, or trying to find a perfect place to propose in St. Croix, Point Udall's Millenium Monument won't disappoint! Be sure to check out some of the surrounding restaurants for a bite to eat afterward. Need a place to stay  while in St Croix? Browse our wide selection of stunning rentals today!