Established
1988
Size
8,257 acres
Visitors / yr
22.5K
Entrance
Free
Best season
May through September
Nearest airport
PPG Pago Pago International
01
Why American Samoa is worth the trip
American Samoa · Established 1988
This is the park almost nobody gets to, which is precisely its power. The National Park of American Samoa spreads across three South Pacific islands, the only US national park south of the equator and the only one where the land is leased from local villages rather than owned by the government. You are a guest here in the most literal sense, inside a Samoan culture more than 3,000 years old.
What you get for the long flight is rainforest running from ridgeline to reef, coral gardens holding more than 950 fish species, and the beach and lagoon at Ofu, as close to untouched as the Pacific still offers. Humpbacks pass through in the southern winter. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, learn a few words of Samoan, and let the village pace reset yours.
02
Top things to do in American Samoa
Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around.
01
Hiking · nps.gov
Tuafanua Trail
Moderate = 2.2mi/3.54km total; 219ft/67m elevation gain; 2-3 hours. The trail leads you via ladders, steps, and ropes to a rocky beach, where you...
02
Hiking · nps.gov
Mount Alava Trail
Difficult = 7mi/11.27km total; 1,607ft/490m elevation gain; 4-5 hours. Trail can be steep, slippery, and rocky in places. Stunning panoramic views from the summit....
03
Hiking · nps.gov
Lower Sauma Ridge Trail
Easy = 0.4mi/0.64km total; 232ft/7m elevation gain; 30-45 minutes. A gentle climb to an archaeological site featuring ancient grinding stones, this trail combines history...
04
Hiking · nps.gov
Pola Island Trail
Easy = 0.1mi/0.16km total; 30ft/9m elevation gain; 15-30 minutes. This short, easy trail leads you to the untouched shores of the South Pacific; delivering...
Hiking · nps.gov
Tuafanua Trail
Moderate = 2.2mi/3.54km total; 219ft/67m elevation gain; 2-3 hours. The trail leads you via ladders, steps, and ropes to a rocky beach, where you...
02
Hiking · nps.gov
Mount Alava Trail
Difficult = 7mi/11.27km total; 1,607ft/490m elevation gain; 4-5 hours. Trail can be steep, slippery, and rocky in places. Stunning panoramic views from the summit....
03
Hiking · nps.gov
Lower Sauma Ridge Trail
Easy = 0.4mi/0.64km total; 232ft/7m elevation gain; 30-45 minutes. A gentle climb to an archaeological site featuring ancient grinding stones, this trail combines history...
04
Hiking · nps.gov
Pola Island Trail
Easy = 0.1mi/0.16km total; 30ft/9m elevation gain; 15-30 minutes. This short, easy trail leads you to the untouched shores of the South Pacific; delivering...
Before you go
Get the American Samoa heads-up
Permit windows, closures and seasonal alerts, plus our best American Samoa guides, in your inbox before you go. Free, no spam.
03
Plan your trip
Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for American Samoa.
Where to stay
Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.
- Pago Pago, ASGateway town
- Fagatogo, ASGateway town
Maps & guides
Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass
What to bring
Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.
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Sun HatFull-brim coverage for exposed trails with zero shade. View on REI
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Water ShoesQuick-drying grip for shorelines, slot canyons, and river crossings. View on REI
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Sun-Protective ShirtUPF 50+ fabric keeps you cool and blocks UV all day. View on REI
-
Water BottlesCarry at least 2 liters. More in desert heat. View on REI
Getting there
- PPG Pago Pago International 5 mi
Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.
American Samoa map
VC Visitor Center
CG Campground
Nearby Park
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When to go
Loading weather...
Month-by-Month Conditions
Tap any month for details
Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan
87°
76°
Moderate
Open
Feb
87°
76°
Heavy
Open
Mar
87°
76°
Light
Open
Apr
87°
75°
Peak
Open
May Best
86°
75°
Light
Open
Jun Best
85°
74°
Low
Open
Jul Best
84°
73°
Peak
Open
Aug Best
84°
73°
Light
Open
Sep Best
85°
74°
Peak
Open
Oct
86°
75°
Moderate
Open
Nov
87°
75°
Moderate
Open
Dec
87°
76°
Low
Open
Best months to visit
Crowd level (low to peak)
05
More American Samoa guides
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Parks near American Samoa
Within reach if you are building a longer trip.
Worth protecting
American Samoa belongs to all of us
Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.
Stay in the Loop
Free dispatches on the parks and the policy fights around them, almost every day. Threats tracked, wins celebrated, no fluff.
Threatened Lands Map
Follow what's happening on federal lands across the country with our interactive map.
View the Tracker