Visiting all 59 National Parks is not easy, but it was well worth the effort to complete my list with American Samoa. It is the only park below the Equator and one of the least frequently visited (3000-4000 visits/year, most only a few hours by cruise ship passengers). The park is relatively undeveloped (as are all the islands), which is what most Samoans want. You can hike tropical trails, snorkel in marine sanctuaries, walk the beaches, and even watch huge fruit bats soar on the tropical thermals. A visit to this park requires a lot of planning (only 2 flights a week to the main island, infrequent flights to the others), and there is not a huge amount of information available from previous visitors. However, the people there are friendly, helpful and generous to the few explorers that make the effort to visit. If you are flexible, open to ‘winging it’ while there, you can have great experiences.
Sincerely,
National Park of American Samoa
With rainforests, tropical wildlife, secluded villages, and coral-sand beaches, this remote and relatively new park is a find for adventurous travelers. Situated on three of American Samoa’s islands, the park lacks the visitor facilities of more established sites, but offers much to travelers willing to do a little extra planning. Enjoy uncrowded beaches, stunning hikes, exotic birdwatching, a view into Samoan culture, and opportunities to snorkel among more than 950 species of fish and 250 types of coral.
State(s): American Samoa
Established: 1988
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