Getting Around National Park of American Samoa: Access, Transportation, and Travel
National Park of American Samoa is one of the most isolated NPS parks on the planet. There is no gated entrance, no park shuttle, and no numbered parking lot. You fly into the middle of the South Pacific, then figure things out based on which island you're on. The short version is this: on Tutuila, the main island, you'll get around by rental car or aiga bus; on Taʻu and Ofu, the outer islands, you'll get around on foot. That's it.
The logistics here are completely different from those in the mainland parks. For an overview of the park, see the National Park of American Samoa guide.
How to Get to National Park of American Samoa
Flights from Paris via Honolulu, a stop in Pago Pago (PPG), and alternatives through Auckland or Fiji are all covered in the guide to access and flights to American Samoa.
Park Entrances: Free Access With No Gates
National Park of American Samoa charges no entrance fee and requires no reservation. It's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. There are no toll booths or entrance stations. The protected areas blend directly into the villages.
The logical starting point for any visitor is the visitor center in the village of Pago Pago, across from the Pago Way gas station. This is where you'll find paper maps, ranger advice, and alerts about trails that are temporarily closed for maintenance or safety reasons. The center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Getting Around the Park
On Tutuila: Rental Cars and Aiga Buses
A rental car is still the most efficient way to get around Tutuila. Several park areas, including Vatia, Fagasa, and Afono, aren't served by any reliable public transportation. You drive on the right, just as you do in the mainland United States. Speed limits are low and strictly enforced: 25 mph in residential areas, and sometimes lower when passing through villages. The roads to Vatia and Fagasa are narrow, winding, and sometimes damaged after heavy rain. You don't need a 4WD vehicle, but one makes the drive more comfortable.
Aiga buses are an authentic alternative. These open-sided vans provide public transportation from Fagatogo Market in the heart of Pago Pago. They serve most of the island's villages and charge very little. There is no fixed schedule. Buses leave when they have enough passengers. Getting to Vatia with hiking gear is technically possible, but not very practical.
Getting to Taʻu and Ofu: Inter-Island Flights From Pago Pago
The park's two outer islands are accessible only by air. Inter Island Airways operates regular flights in small aircraft with fewer than ten seats from Pago Pago to Fitiuta on Taʻu and to Ofu. The flight takes about 20 to 30 minutes. These flights depend on tropical weather, and cancellations are common during the wet season from October through May. Book your tickets as early as possible, and leave a buffer day at each end of your trip.
There is no regular passenger ferry service that's accessible to tourists between the islands. Cargo runs do operate, but they aren't a reliable transportation option for park visitors.
On Taʻu and Ofu: Walking Is the Only Way to Get Around
On these two islands, transportation isn't really an issue. Distances are short, roads are tiny, and you can explore the entire park on foot from the few available accommodations. It's a limitation that becomes an advantage if you're looking for a park without heavy tourist traffic. The hikes accessible from Taʻu and Ofu are listed with their difficulty and estimated duration.
Where to Park on Tutuila
Parking on Tutuila is free and informal. The park has no paid parking and no parking permit system. Near trailheads, especially those leading toward Vatia or Mount ʻAlava, parking usually means pulling onto a shoulder or finding a few unpaved spaces.
Arrive early, especially on weekends. The few spaces near popular trailheads fill up quickly in the morning. The rule that applies in every park applies here too, island-style.
Distances and Travel Times Between Areas
Tutuila is about 18.6 miles long and 3.7 miles wide. Pago Pago sits roughly in the middle of the island. From the visitor center, allow about 45 minutes to an hour to reach Vatia, in the north of the island, about 12 miles by road, and around 30 minutes to reach Fagasa in the northwest. Winding roads and the villages along the way consistently make trips take longer.
Tutuila and Taʻu are about 62 miles apart as the crow flies, which translates to a 20- to 30-minute flight in a small aircraft. Ofu is a similar distance away. Taʻu and Ofu are close to each other, but getting from one island to the other always means going through Pago Pago. There is no regular direct connection.
To divide your time among the three islands, the American Samoa itineraries offer plans for 1, 2, or 3 days.
Special Cases: RVs, Accessibility, and Pets
RVs and camper vans aren't a good fit for American Samoa. The island's road infrastructure, narrow village roads, and complete lack of equipped campgrounds make this kind of trip impractical.
The Pago Pago visitor center is accessible to people with mobility impairments. The park's trails, however, cross volcanic and tropical terrain that is often steep and not designed for accessibility.
Pets aren't allowed on national park trails, in accordance with standard NPS rules. This prohibition has no exceptions.
Practical Transportation Information
Fuel. Gas stations are concentrated on Tutuila, mainly around Pago Pago and the Tafuna area. Fill up before heading toward the island's remote northern areas. Don't expect to find a gas station on Taʻu or Ofu.
Cell service. Cellular coverage is available across much of Tutuila, particularly in and around Pago Pago. It becomes very weak in steep-sided valleys and at higher elevations. On Taʻu and Ofu, service is almost nonexistent. Download your maps and routes for offline use before leaving Pago Pago.
Roads and weather. Tropical rain can make some roads temporarily slippery or impassable. Check the American Samoa weather forecast before planning a trip to remote areas, especially during the wet season.
Apps. The official NPS Parks app covers American Samoa, but it has less content than it does for the mainland parks. AllTrails lists a few hikes. Always check trail conditions with the rangers at the visitor center before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I visit National Park of American Samoa?
To visit National Park of American Samoa, fly to Pago Pago on Tutuila via Honolulu, then rent a car or use local aiga buses to reach the park areas. Taʻu and Ofu are accessible only by small plane from Pago Pago with Inter Island Airways.
How do I get to American Samoa?
To get to American Samoa, plan on an international flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, followed by a Hawaiian Airlines connection to Pago Pago. There are no direct flights from Europe to the territory.
Can U.S. citizens travel to American Samoa?
U.S. citizens can travel to American Samoa without a passport as long as they have an official form of identification. Citizens of other countries should check the entry requirements for this unincorporated U.S. territory.
Is there cell service in National Park of American Samoa?
Cell service covers part of Tutuila, mainly around Pago Pago, but it's very limited in the park's mountainous areas. On Taʻu and Ofu, service is almost nonexistent, so plan to use offline maps.