National Park of American Samoa, National park in Tutuila, Ta'u and Ofu islands, American Samoa
Description
The National Park of American Samoa is a protected area covering 36 square kilometers (14 square miles) of rainforest, coral reefs, and marine ecosystems distributed across three South Pacific islands. The landscape ranges from dense slopes filled with trees and ferns to underwater gardens where fish swim among living corals.
History
The United States Congress created this protected area in 1988 and integrated traditional land rights into its structure. It is the only park in the system where land is secured through lease agreements with Samoan villages rather than direct ownership.
Culture
Islanders live here following fa'a Samoa, a traditional way of life that emphasizes respect for elders and communal decision-making. Visitors often see fale, open wooden houses without walls, that reveal daily family life and show the close bond between people and the natural world.
Practical
The section on Tutuila can be reached by car from Pago Pago, while the more remote islands of Ofu and Ta'u require additional short domestic flights. Hikers should be cautious in wet conditions, as trails through the rainforest become slippery and some sections are steep.
Did you know?
This park protects the only paleotropical rainforest within the American national park system and provides habitat for the Samoan flying fox, a large bat species. The flying foxes are visible during the day in the tree canopy, where they hang from branches with their wings spread wide.
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United States Naval Station Tutuila
2.6 kmLata Mountain
132.8 km
Aunu'u
14.7 km
Rainmaker Mountain
3.9 km
Sadie Thompson Building
2.3 km
Pago Park Soccer Stadium
2.4 km
Government House
3 km
Jean P. Haydon Museum
2.2 km
Vai'ava Strait
2.6 km
Mount ʻAlava
929 m
Courthouse of American Samoa
2.3 kmGovernor H. Rex Lee Auditorium
2.3 kmSatala Cemetery
1.9 kmTepatasi Mountain
3.2 kmTumutumu Mountain
110.6 kmSouth Pioa Mountain
3.7 kmMaugaotula Peak
345 mVaea Hill
12.7 kmFiliae Mountain
6.8 kmPiumafua Mountain
115.1 kmSinapioa Mountain
4.2 kmSolo Hill
2.8 kmFatifati Mountain
4.3 kmTagau Mountain
4.4 km
South Ofu Beach
111.9 kmPalapala Mountain
5.1 kmOlomoana Mountain
11.5 kmMauga o Ali‘i
2.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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