Park Closure:Alava Trail Closure
American Samoa National Park

American Samoa

Moderate American Samoa

Overview

National Park of American Samoa is the most remote park in the system, spread across three volcanic islands in the South Pacific — Tutuila, Ta'u, and Ofu — roughly 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii. The park protects pristine coral reefs, tropical rainforest climbing to volcanic ridgelines, fruit bat colonies, and a living Samoan culture that has existed on these islands for over 3,000 years. It is the only national park south of the equator. On Tutuila, the main island, the park encompasses the ridgeline above Pago Pago Harbor and the pristine north coast, where trails descend through dense tropical forest to empty beaches and World War II gun emplacements. The highlight is the trail to the summit of Mount Alava (1,610 feet), which crosses the ridgeline through cloud forest with views of the harbor and open Pacific. Ta'u Island holds the park's most dramatic scenery — sea cliffs rising 3,000 feet directly from the ocean, among the tallest in the world. Ofu Island, a 30-minute flight from Tutuila, has what many consider the most beautiful beach in the national park system — a white sand arc backed by coconut palms and fronted by a reef teeming with over 950 species of fish and 250 species of coral. The park operates through a unique arrangement with Samoan village councils, and visitors are encouraged to experience fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way of life) through homestay programs.

Things to Do

  • Snorkel the coral reefs off Ofu Beach
  • Hike to the Mount Alava ridgeline on Tutuila
  • Stay with a Samoan family through the homestay program
  • Explore WWII gun emplacements along the north coast
  • Watch Samoan fruit bats (flying foxes) at dusk
  • Dive the pristine coral gardens
  • Visit the Jean P. Haydon Museum in Pago Pago
Outdoors; landscape view of sandy beach foreground, blue waters, and steep cliffs in background.
Hiking

Tuafanua Trail

Moderate = 2.2mi/3.54km total; 219ft/67m elevation gain; 2-3 hours. The trail leads you via ladders,...

Outdoors; person holding binoculars looking out through greenery at blue waters in the distance.
Hiking

Mount Alava Trail

Difficult = 7mi/11.27km total; 1,607ft/490m elevation gain; 4-5 hours. Trail can be steep, slippery,...

A row of men seen from behind hiking a narrow trail downward on low stone steps surrounded by trees.
Hiking

Lower Sauma Ridge Trail

Easy = 0.4mi/0.64km total; 232ft/7m elevation gain; 30-45 minutes. A gentle climb to an archaeologic...

Outdoors; group of young adults facing an adult standing next to sign, trail and forest behind.
Hiking

Pola Island Trail

Easy = 0.1mi/0.16km total; 30ft/9m elevation gain; 15-30 minutes. This short, easy trail leads you t...

Outdoors; view of water below, mountains behind, framed with lush greenery.
Hiking

Upper Sauma Ridge Trail

Strenuous = 3.2mi/5.15km total; 1,489ft/454m elevation gain; 3-4 hours. Hike a challenging trail thr...

A fruit bat flies over a tree with other fruit bats in its branches, against a blue sky.
Wildlife Watching

Fruit Bat Watching

Fruit bats are the only native mammals found in American Samoa. The two species of fruit bat and one...

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A view of a rocky shore and wide body of water with green trees on both sides against a blue sky.

Cape TapuTapu

Point of Interest

Cape Taputapu offers the best illustration in American Samoa of wave action on older massive volcanic activity which cre...

A lush group of mountains surrounded by ocean with a lakeside town nested in the mountain valley.

Mount Alava

Point of Interest

From the Top of Mt. Alava, you can see the Island of Tutuila.

A split view above and below the surface of a mountain-ringed lagoon, with colorful coral below.

Ofu Lagoon

Point of Interest

The Ofu island unit has a shallow protected reef with a great diversity of coral cover and fish. This is a feast for the...

A close up picture of a well in the ground surrounded by mossy rocks.

Saua Village

Point of Interest

Saua is one of the most sacred sites in the National Park of American Samoa, it holds some of the earliest secrets to Sa...

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Samoan Fruit Bat Pacific Green Sea Turtle Humpback Whale Tropical Reef Fish Coconut Crab Brown Booby

Pro Tips

  • 💡 The park has no entrance fee, no campgrounds, and minimal facilities — plan through the visitor center in Pago Pago
  • 💡 Homestay programs let you stay with Samoan families and experience traditional village life; arrange through the park office
  • 💡 Flights to American Samoa go through Honolulu; plan at least 3-4 days to justify the long journey
  • 💡 Ofu Beach requires a short inter-island flight but is arguably the most beautiful beach in any national park
  • 💡 Sunday is sacred in Samoan culture — most villages close for church and visitors should respect the quiet

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Tropical year-round with temperatures of 80-90°F and high humidity. The wet season (November-April) brings heavy rain and occasional cyclones. The dry season (May-October) is the best time to visit.

Best seasons: Summer, Fall