Park Comparison

National Park of American Samoa vs Pinnacles

Two iconic parks, different strengths. Here's how they stack up.

Updated

The Quick Take

National Park of American Samoa

The only national park south of the equator protects volcanic peaks, coral reefs, and villages across three South Pacific islands.

Pinnacles

Volcanic spires rise above talus caves where you can crawl through darkness on designated routes. Half of Yosemite's crowds.

At a Glance

National Park of American Samoa Pinnacles
Crowd Level Room to Breathe Moderate Crowds
Best Month February October
Location AS CA
Size 21.1 sq mi 41.6 sq mi
Visitors (2024) 22,567 354K

The Crowd Picture

National Park of American Samoa sees less than half the visitors Pinnacles gets, which translates to a noticeably different crowd experience on trails and at viewpoints.

National Park of American Samoa

National Park of American Samoa welcomes 22,567 visitors annually across 21.1 square miles — about 1,070 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in April.

Pinnacles

Pinnacles welcomes 354K visitors annually across 41.6 square miles — about 8,511 visitors per square mile. Congestion is high, peaking in March. A long comfortable season helps spread crowds across 8 months.

Verdict

National Park of American Samoa is dramatically less congested than Pinnacles — you'll feel the difference on every trail.

When to Go

Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.

National Park of American Samoa
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Pinnacles
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Low Moderate High Peak Best month

Trails & Activities

Total Trails
28 mi vs ✓ 30 mi

Pinnacles National Park has more trail mileage for exploration.

National Park of American Samoa Top Activities

  • swimming 9/10
  • photography 9/10
  • kayaking canoeing 8/10
  • wildlife viewing 8/10
  • bird watching 8/10

Pinnacles Top Activities

  • bird watching 9/10
  • photography 9/10
  • hiking 8/10
  • rock climbing 8/10
  • wildlife viewing 8/10

Camping

Campgrounds
0 sites vs ✓ 134 sites

Pinnacles National Park offers significantly more camping options.

The Bottom Line

Choose National Park of American Samoa if you...

  • Want to experience Pola Island
  • Are looking for world-class swimming
  • Want fewer crowds and more solitude
or

Choose Pinnacles if you...

  • Want to experience Pinnacles (Rock Spires)
  • Are looking for great rock climbing
  • Are a first-time national park visitor
  • Want more camping options (134 sites vs 0)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, National Park of American Samoa or Pinnacles?

It depends on what you're looking for. National Park of American Samoa is known for Pola Island, while Pinnacles is known for Pinnacles (Rock Spires). National Park of American Samoa is less crowded, making it the better pick if solitude matters to you.

Is National Park of American Samoa or Pinnacles more crowded?

National Park of American Samoa has a congestion index of 1.2/10 and receives 22,567 visitors per year. Pinnacles scores 5.2/10 with 354K annual visitors. National Park of American Samoa is the quieter option.

When is the best time to visit National Park of American Samoa vs Pinnacles?

The best month to visit National Park of American Samoa is February, while Pinnacles is best visited in October. The different peak seasons mean you could visit one in spring and the other in fall.

Which has better hiking, National Park of American Samoa or Pinnacles?

National Park of American Samoa has 28 trail miles and Pinnacles has 30. Both parks offer strong hiking options.

Read More

Full guide to National Park of American Samoa → Full guide to Pinnacles →