Which islands contain sections of the park?

Park territory covers land and waters across Tutuila, Ofu, and Taʻū, with additional expansion on Olosega.

What outdoor recreation takes place in the park?

Primary activities include hiking through rainforest habitats and snorkeling among coral reefs.

Which native species does the reserve protect?

The park safeguards flying foxes, tropical rainforest habitats, and coral reef ecosystems.

How does the federal government manage park land?

The National Park Service holds lease agreements with Samoan village councils to respect communal land tenure.

Does the reserve include marine waters?

Coral reefs and open ocean make up an extensive portion of the designated park territory.

Tāfuna · American Samoa

National Park of American Samoa: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Field researchers and long-term workers coordinate every route across Tutuila, Ofu, and Taʻū with local village councils, because communal leases govern the rainforest trails and reef access.

About the place

Within two hours

Pago Pago International Airport≈ 30 min

About the place

Tropical rainforests and offshore coral reefs form the core of the park across Tutuila, Ofu, and Taʻū.

Legislation originated from efforts by local representation and conservation advocates seeking to preserve old-growth rainforest and flying fox roosts. Traditional communal land tenure prevented the federal government from acquiring property titles directly. The National Park Service resolved landholder rights by entering into multi-decade lease agreements negotiated with Samoan village councils.

Read on

The park extends across separate islands, including Tutuila, Ofu, and Taʻū, combining oceanic coral reefs with dense volcanic slopes. Hikers and snorkelers encounter isolated ecosystems, but moving between park sectors demands maritime planning. Severe tsunami waves previously demolished the main administrative offices and visitor facilities, demonstrating the constant environmental hazards facing infrastructure here.

Associations

Fruit batsRoosting colonies inhabit the old-growth rainforest canopy.
Coral reefsMarine sections protect vast offshore reefs and dive sites.
Communal land leasesVillage councils retain land ownership under communal lease terms.
Tsunami riskCoastal wave strikes previously leveled the visitor center.

Facts

The park spans territory across the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Taʻū.
Traditional village councils lease the park acreage to the federal government.
A tsunami destroyed the main administrative offices and visitor facilities.
Federal legislation for the park originally aimed to safeguard flying fox habitats.

Updated September 20, 2026Source: Wikipedia

National Park of American Samoa: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Tropical rainforests and offshore coral reefs form the core of the park across Tutuila, Ofu, and Taʻū.

Getting there and staying

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