Vieques Military Training Route to Mosquito Pier
Navy bombing range turned Caribbean wilderness drive.
This old military road cuts straight across Vieques’ eastern end, following the same route Navy Seabees used to haul ordnance to Live Impact Area bombardment sites from 1947 to 2003. The track passes rusted tank targets, concrete bunkers, and massive bomb craters now filled with freshwater and teeming with wildlife. Mosquito Pier at road’s end was where landing craft delivered practice ammunition — now it’s a fishing spot where locals pull tarpon from gin-clear water while frigatebirds nest in the surrounding mangroves.
Easy to moderate difficulty depending on recent rains, but absolutely requires high-clearance vehicle for washouts and embedded coral chunks. Unexploded ordnance is still present — stay on marked trails only. Best visited during dry season (December-April) when mosquitoes are manageable and water crossings shallow. No camping allowed due to contamination concerns, but day trips reward you with world-class snorkeling at Green Beach and some of Puerto Rico’s wildest coastline. Ferry from Ceiba, fuel up in Isabel Segunda.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 180 ft |
| Best season | December-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Isabel Segunda, Vieques |
| Land manager | US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | fws.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine. The trail is rated moderate with only 300 feet of elevation gain, and the harder sections are rutted dirt and loose gravel rather than rock crawling. 4WD is useful for soft sandy patches near the coast, not mandatory throughout.
Is the trail accessible year-round or does hurricane season shut it down?
Best window is December through April — dry season keeps the dirt tracks passable and water crossings low. Hurricane season (June–November) can wash out sections and turn the surface into deep mud; some portions may be impassable after heavy storms without local intel first.
Do I need a permit to drive through the Vieques Wildlife Refuge, and is there an entry fee?
No permit or entry fee is required to access the refuge, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service manages the land and certain zones remain restricted due to unexploded ordnance from former Navy operations — stay on established tracks and heed all posted closure signs.
What's the sketchiest section of this trail and what should I actually be prepared for?
The water crossings near the mangrove channels are the biggest variable — depth changes with rainfall and tidal influence, so crossing a channel that was ankle-deep yesterday can be bumper-deep after a storm. Approach slowly, check depth on foot first, and have a recovery strap rigged before you need it.
Is there anywhere to fill up water or fuel on Vieques before heading out, and what's the gas situation on the island?
Fill your tank and water in Isabel Segunda before you leave — there are a couple of gas stations in town and no services whatsoever on the 12-mile route. Fuel supply on Vieques can be inconsistent, so if your gauge isn't close to full when you arrive by ferry, top off immediately before driving anywhere on the island.
Trail track
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