National Park of American Samoa
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!
Alerts
- ClosureAlava Trail Closure
The Mount Alava trail and Fatifati trail from the Fagasa pass to the summit is closed for trail improvement work until further notice. Visitors can hike to the Alava trail from the Old Vatia trail, it is a much steeper and more rugged climb. Other suggested hiking alternatives include Upper and Lower Sauma trails and the Tuafanua trail.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Hours
| National Park of American Samoa | Varies by day ▾
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When to go
March draws the most visits here and June the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Visitor Center and Park StorePassport stamp
Open on weekdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Closed on weekends and federal holidays. Located in Pago Pago village, across from the Pago Way Service Station.
Explore
Things to do
- 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 can enjoy the sound of the waves and take in the Western view of Pola Island.
Opens on the Park Service site - 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. Lush rainforest environment, great for bird and fruit bat watching.
Opens on the Park Service site - 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 with incredible views of the northeast coastline and the Vai’ava Strait.
Opens on the Park Service site - 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 big rewards with views of the rugged coastline and Pola Island, a sanctuary for nesting…
Opens on the Park Service site - Upper Sauma Ridge Trail
Strenuous = 3.2mi/5.15km total; 1,489ft/454m elevation gain; 3-4 hours. Hike a challenging trail through a dense rainforest, surrounded by native trees and birds.
Opens on the Park Service site - Fruit Bat Watching
Fruit bats are the only native mammals found in American Samoa. The two species of fruit bat and one insect-eating bat species are harmless to people. They have a wingspan close to three feet.
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 9Hide
- Snorkeling
Each island of American Samoa supports a coral reef ecosystem in its coastal waters. These coral reefs support a variety of marine life typical of tropical Indo-Pacific waters.
Opens on the Park Service site - Take a boat ride to Aunu'u
About one mile southeast of Tutuila’s eastern tip is the volcanic island of ‘Aunu’u, the smallest inhabited island. It can be reached by boat and explored by foot.
Opens on the Park Service site - Birdwatching on Lower Sauma Trail
Over 35 species of native birds fly in American Samoa’s skies. Each has its own story and place in our culture.
Opens on the Park Service site
Events
- Interpretive Talk10/1401:00 PM · runs through Dec 31 · free
- Guided Hike - Lower Sauma Trail10/1608:30 AM · runs through Dec 31 · free
- Guided Hike - Fatifati Trail10/2008:30 AM · runs through Dec 28 · free
News
- National Park of American Samoa Wildland Fire Crew Deploys to U.S. Mainland ↗2026-08-18
A nine-member wildland fire crew from the National Park of American Samoa departed Pago Pago on Aug. 17 for a monthlong assignment supporting wildfire response on the U.S. mainland.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Guidebooks for National Park of American Samoa and national parks across the country
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Full checklist: 45 birds, 11 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsBarn Owl
Waterfowl & wadersBuff-banded Rail · Pacific reef-heron · white-faced heron
Shorebirds & seabirdsAudubon's shearwater · Christmas shearwater · Collared Petrel · Herald Petrel · Ruddy Turnstone · Sanderling · Tahiti Petrel · bar-tailed godwit · bridled tern · golden plover · sooty tern
Gamebirds & dovesTongan Ground Dove
Also on the checklistAtafa · Brown Noddy · Fuaʻo · Lupe · Manutagi · Polynesian Wattled-Honeyeater · Red Junglefowl · Samoan Myzomela · Samoan Shrikebill · Spotless Crake · Taʻiʻo · Ti‘otala · Tuli · Tuli · aleva · atafa · black noddy · blue-crowned lory · blue-grey noddy · fua`o · fua`o · fuia · gogosina · manu ali`i · manu sina · manuma · miti vao · pe`ape`a · tava 'esina
Small mammalsPolynesian rat · black rat · house mouse
Marine mammalshumpback whale · long-snouted spinner dolphin
Predatorsinsular flying fox
Also on the checklistDomestic Cat · Domestic dog · feral pig · isumu · pe`a vao
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Diving and snorkeling in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
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)
Questions people ask
Does National Park of American Samoa charge an entrance fee?
No. National Park of American Samoa is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at National Park of American Samoa?
Standard hours are 8:00AM - 3:00PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and it is closed on Sunday and Saturday.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in National Park of American Samoa?
The Park Service lists no campgrounds inside National Park of American Samoa.
Source: National Park Service
Is anything closed at National Park of American Samoa right now?
1 active alert as of October 14, 2026: Alava Trail Closure.
Source: Alerts
How busy is National Park of American Samoa?
43,258 recreation visits in 2025, number 274 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
When was National Park of American Samoa established?
1988. It covers about 21 square miles.
Source: Wikipedia
What is the weather like at National Park of American Samoa?
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.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.