National Park
National Park of American Samoa
National Park
The National Park of American Samoa invites you to discover the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of the South Pacific. Experience a world unlike any other, where natural beauty and cultural heritage are protected for future generations. Join us in exploring these islands of sacred earth!
Quick facts
- States
- AS
- Nearest Airport
- Pago Pago International Airport
Plan your visit
- States
- AS
- Nearest Airport
- Pago Pago International Airport
- Best Time To Visit
- June-September offers the relatively drier season, but this is still a humid tropical park with rain possible any day. The best dates are the ones with confirmed transport, lodging, and enough schedule buffer.
Highlights
- Why Visit
- This is a national park where the trip itself is part of the experience. NPS describes a remote landscape of rainforest-covered volcanic islands, secluded villages, coral-sand beaches, and views linking mountain and ocean. About 4,000 acres of the park are underwater, adding a marine dimension that most park trips do not have. Visit for a combination of rainforest hiking, Samoan cultural context, fruit-bat and seabird viewing, and snorkeling. The park has limited infrastructure, so it works best for travelers willing to plan transport and supplies carefully and follow local village customs.
- Top Things To Do
- Hike Tutuila trails such as Tuafanua, Lower Sauma Ridge, or Pola Island; watch fruit bats and seabirds; learn at the Pago Pago visitor center; and, when transport and sea conditions allow, snorkel at Ofu. Check the current Mount Alava closure before selecting that hike.
Areas to plan around
- Tutuila
- Pago Pago visitor center, village access, rainforest trails, Pola Island views, fruit-bat watching, and the largest concentration of practical visitor services.
- Ta'u
- A remote Manu'a Islands unit with rainforest, coastal scenery, and Lata Mountain context. Confirm flights, lodging, and local transport before committing.
- Ofu
- A secluded beach and fringing reef known for snorkeling. Bring your own gear and verify flights, lodging, currents, and local access.
- Pago Pago Orientation
- Use the weekday visitor center for current conditions, maps, cultural guidance, and help checking which island plans are realistic during your visit.
Getting there & around
- Getting There Airports
- Fly into Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila. NPS says smaller flights serve Ta'u and Ofu; schedules and capacity are limited, so arrange island travel well in advance.
- Getting There Driving Distances
- Do not plan this as a mainland driving loop. The park is split among three islands, and NPS advises allowing extra time because local and inter-island transportation may not follow a strict schedule.
- Getting There Entrances
- Park areas are associated with villages on Tutuila, Ta'u, and Ofu. Start at the Pago Pago visitor center and ask rangers about current access and any village permission needed for remote areas.
- Getting Around Shuttles
- There is no NPS internal shuttle listed. Each island requires its own ground-transport plan, and Ta'u or Ofu also requires a confirmed inter-island connection.
- Getting Around Reservations
- No park entrance reservation is required. Flights, lodging, local transport, and remote access still need advance confirmation, and some areas may require permission from local villagers.
- Getting Around Parking
- Parking varies by site and can be very limited. NPS lists a maximum of four cars at Lower Sauma Ridge; ask the visitor center about current trailhead and roadside conditions.
Where to stay
- Where To Stay Inpark Lodging
- NPS does not list concession lodging inside the park. Arrange lodging in American Samoa independently and verify transport from that base to the specific island unit you plan to visit.
- Where To Stay Campgrounds
- The NPS API lists no developed park campgrounds. Do not assume camping is available; contact the park before planning any overnight stay on park land.
- Where To Stay Gateway Towns
- Pago Pago on Tutuila is the practical orientation base because it has the park visitor center. Ta'u and Ofu require separate lodging and transportation confirmation.
Safety & wildlife
- Safety Bear Country
- Bear-country protocol is not the planning focus here. Prioritize tropical heat, hydration, slippery trails, changing marine conditions, insects, and respectful wildlife viewing under current NPS guidance.
- Safety Weather
- Heat, high humidity, frequent rain, muddy trails, and tropical storms are the core weather risks. Check the forecast before departure and keep alternate plans for sudden downpours.
- Safety Altitude
- The main physical risks are steep, rugged, slippery terrain and tropical heat. Match the trail to your ability and turn back when weather or footing deteriorates.
- Safety Leave No Trace
- Pack out everything, stay on designated trails, do not pick plants, and never step on or damage coral. Respect villages and ask permission before entering areas where local access applies.
- Safety Permits Needed
- No fee or entrance reservation is required, but NPS warns that some remote areas may require permission from local villagers. Confirm access restrictions with the visitor center.
- Wildlife Overview
- NPS highlights fruit bats, seabirds, fish, sea turtles, coral reefs, and other tropical island species. Birds are especially abundant and diverse on oceanic islands.
- Wildlife Where To See
- Rainforest viewpoints and trails can be good for fruit bats and birds; Pola Island is important seabird habitat; Ofu's marine unit supports reef viewing when conditions are safe.
- Wildlife Safety
- Observe animals from a distance, never feed or disturb them, and be cautious around marine life. Do not touch or stand on coral, and do not enter the water when currents or weather are unsafe.
Trip strategy
- Itinerary Strategy
- Day 1: Visitor center plus a verified-open Tutuila trail. Day 2: A second Tutuila rainforest or coastal outing with weather flexibility. Day 3: A preconfirmed Ta'u or Ofu segment—or another Tutuila day if transport is uncertain.
- Entrance Hacks
- There is no entrance gate or timed-entry problem to beat. The real bottleneck is logistics: contact the park, confirm flights and local transport, and get village-access guidance before building the day around a remote site.
- Basecamp Logic
- TUTUILA: best for the visitor center, supplies, and the most flexible first visit. TA'U/OFU: more remote and appropriate only with confirmed flights, lodging, and local transport. A split stay needs buffer time, not a tight connection.
- Crowd Calendar
- NPS does not publish a reliable month-by-month crowd calendar. June-September is relatively drier; October-May is wetter; cruise-ship days can affect the visitor center. Transportation capacity matters more than a generic crowd forecast.
- Tips Advice
- Start at the Pago Pago visitor center.
- Do not assume inter-island service will run on a mainland schedule.
- Ask before entering village areas.
- Carry 2-3 liters of water for hikes.
- Bring your own snorkel gear.
- Recheck trail alerts and weather each morning.
More details
- Park Code
- npsa
- Tagline
- Tropical rainforest, Samoan villages, and coral reefs across three South Pacific islands
- Location
- American Samoa
- Quick Facts Entrance Fees
- Free. NPS states that no entrance pass, entrance fee, or park reservation is required.
- Nearby Services
- Services inside park areas are limited. Pago Pago is the primary orientation and supply base; bring water, snacks, and essential gear rather than assuming they will be available near a trail or remote island unit.
- Family Friendly Notes
- Families should begin with the visitor center and choose short outings based on heat, rain, footing, and current access. Keep children close near water, steep terrain, villages, and wildlife.
- Accessibility
- NPS says accessibility is limited by rugged terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure. The visitor center and restrooms are accessible; Lower Sauma Ridge overlook is accessible with assistance; most trails are steep, rugged, and unimproved.
- Photography Tips
- Use established overlooks and trails, keep distance from wildlife and nesting birds, never step on coral for a photo, and ask before photographing people or culturally sensitive village places.
- When To Visit Peak Season
- NPS does not publish a fixed crowd calendar for this remote park. Treat transportation availability, cruise-ship days, and limited services as the capacity constraints and confirm them before booking.
- When To Visit Shoulder Season
- Travel outside the drier June-September window can still work, but October-May is wetter and tropical storms are more prevalent. Build weather flexibility into every inter-island segment.
- When To Visit Winter
- Northern Hemisphere winter falls within American Samoa's wet season. Expect heat, humidity, frequent rain, and greater tropical-storm variability rather than mainland-style winter conditions.
- When To Visit Road Opening
- There is no single seasonal park road opening. Roads and remote access can be affected by maintenance and safety conditions; check NPS alerts and local transport before each island day.
- Wildlife Bear Spray Rentals
- Bear-spray rental information is not part of NPS planning guidance for this park. Ask the visitor center about locally relevant safety equipment instead of transporting unnecessary restricted items.
- Weather Averages
- Temperatures are generally in the high 70s to low 90s Fahrenheit with high humidity throughout the year.
- Weather Precipitation
- NPS reports about 125 inches of annual rain in drier areas and up to 300 inches in the highest mountains. The wet season runs October-May; June-September is somewhat drier.
- Weather Info
- American Samoa is in the South Pacific Ocean, between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. A tropical climate prevails with warm or hot temperatures year-round and high humidity. Rain showers are frequent and can last only for a few minutes or all-day. The average annual rainfall is 125-inches in the dryer areas to as much as 300-inches in the highest mountains. Tropical storms are more prevalent during the long, wet summer season (October -May) and a slightly cooler and drier season (June-September)
- What To Bring Essential Gear
- Bring refillable water capacity of at least 2-3 liters per person for hikes, sun protection, insect repellent, sturdy footwear, a light rain layer, offline plans, and your own snorkel equipment if snorkeling.
- What To Bring Clothing
- Choose light, breathable clothing for heat and humidity, sturdy boots for muddy trails, and modest clothing in villages and public areas. NPS advises against brief swimwear in public areas.
- Review Summary
- The National Park of American Samoa is best for a self-reliant traveler who values rainforest, reef, and cultural context more than conventional park infrastructure. The trip can be exceptional, but only when transportation, supplies, weather, and local access are treated as core planning tasks.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an entrance reservation?
No. NPS says no entrance fee, pass, or park reservation is required, but flights, lodging, transport, and some local access still need advance planning.
Can I visit all three islands in a short trip?
Only if every inter-island flight, lodging stay, and local ride is confirmed. Keep buffer time because transportation can be limited and flexible.
When is the drier season?
June through September is slightly cooler and drier. October through May is the long wet season, but rain is possible throughout the year.
Is Mount Alava Trail open?
The July 15, 2026 NPS alert snapshot listed a closure affecting Mount Alava and the Fagasa Pass approach. Recheck current alerts before hiking.
Should I bring snorkel gear?
Yes if snorkeling is part of the plan. NPS advises bringing your own equipment because rentals may be limited, and you should verify currents and weather first.
How accessible is the park?
The visitor center and restrooms are accessible, and Lower Sauma Ridge overlook is accessible with assistance. Most trails remain steep, rugged, and unimproved.
Gateway towns
Sources
- National Park Service
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.