National Park of American Samoa — Visitor Info

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The National Park of American Samoa is the only U.S. national park south of the equator — spread across three remote volcanic islands (Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta'ū) in the South Pacific, protecting paleotropical rainforest and coral reefs. Unlike almost every other national park, the land itself is leased from local Samoan villages rather than owned outright by the federal government.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Getting to the Manu'a Islands (Ofu and Ta'ū) requires a separate small-plane flight from Tutuila that operates on a limited schedule and is often affected by weather — confirm current flight availability well before your trip. Camping is prohibited within the park. Always check the official American Samoa Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Three islands: Tutuila, Ofu & Ta'ū, American Samoa
Entrance Fee
None
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No (but inter-island flights should be booked ahead)
Permit Needed For
No permits for day use; camping is not permitted in the park at all
Lodging
None in-park — village guesthouses and hotels on Tutuila
Managed By
National Park Service, on land leased from Samoan villages

Three Islands, Not One Park Road

This park has no continuous boundary or entrance road — it's three separate units on three islands. The Tutuila unit, near Pago Pago, is the most accessible and includes rainforest trails and coastal areas. The Ofu unit protects a small, strikingly beautiful reef-lined beach. The Ta'ū unit is the largest and wildest, with limited visitor infrastructure. Reaching Ofu and Ta'ū (the Manu'a Islands) requires a separate short flight from Tutuila.

Visitor Centers

Park Visitor Center (Pago Pago, Tutuila)
Located in the Pago Plaza office building in Pago Pago — note this is outside the park boundary itself, in the main town on Tutuila. Trip planning, exhibits, and the best place to get current information before heading to the other islands.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The National Park of American Samoa has no entrance fee. Since it's a fee-free park, America the Beautiful passes aren't needed here, though they're still useful for other national parks you might visit.

Getting There

American Samoa is a remote U.S. territory in the South Pacific, reached by long-haul flight (typically via Honolulu) to Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila. From there, Ofu and Ta'ū are reached only by a separate, limited-schedule small plane — there is no ferry or scheduled boat service most travelers can rely on. Build extra flexible days into your itinerary, since inter-island flights are weather-dependent and can be delayed or canceled.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park, hike its trails, or snorkel its reefs. Some trails and areas cross village land — be respectful of local customs (a fa'a Samoa cultural code applies) and follow any posted village guidance.

Camping

Camping is not permitted anywhere within the National Park of American Samoa. There are no campgrounds, RV sites, or backcountry camping options in the park itself.

Overnight stays are in village guesthouses, small inns, and hotels on Tutuila, with limited additional options on Ofu. Some villages near the park occasionally host visitors informally with advance arrangement — this is not an NPS service and should be arranged locally, not assumed available.

Good to Know

  • This is the only U.S. national park in the Southern Hemisphere — and one of the most remote and least-visited in the entire system.
  • Respect village land and customs: most of the park's land is still owned by Samoan villages under a 50-year lease with the NPS — you're a guest in these communities as much as in the park.
  • Ofu Beach is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful, least-crowded beaches protected by the park system.
  • Pack for total self-sufficiency on Ofu and Ta'ū — services, shops, and medical care are extremely limited outside Pago Pago.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official National Park of American Samoa site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Tutuila, Ta'u & Ofu Islands Overview · NPS – Alerts & Conditions