Park Comparison
National Park of American Samoa vs Redwood National and State Parks
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.
Redwood National and State Parks
The world's tallest trees stand in groves you can walk through on level trails, three hours north of San Francisco with a third the crowds.
At a Glance
The Crowd Picture
National Park of American Samoa sees less than half the visitors Redwood National and State Parks 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.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks welcomes 623K visitors annually across 206.2 square miles — about 3,021 visitors per square mile. Congestion is moderate, peaking in July.
National Park of American Samoa edges out Redwood National and State Parks on elbow room, though both can get busy in peak season.
When to Go
Click any month to see how conditions compare side-by-side.
Trails & Activities
Redwood National and State Parks 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
Redwood National and State Parks Top Activities
- photography 10/10
- hiking 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- wildlife viewing 9/10
- bird watching 8/10
Camping
Redwood National and State Parks 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
- Love tropical rainforest and coral reef landscapes
Choose Redwood National and State Parks if you...
- Want to experience Coast Redwoods (Tallest Trees on Earth)
- Are looking for world-class hiking
- Are traveling on a budget
- Want more trail options (125 miles vs 28)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, National Park of American Samoa or Redwood National and State Parks?
It depends on what you're looking for. National Park of American Samoa is known for Pola Island, while Redwood National and State Parks is known for Coast Redwoods (Tallest Trees on Earth). 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 Redwood National and State Parks more crowded?
National Park of American Samoa has a congestion index of 1.2/10 and receives 22,567 visitors per year. Redwood National and State Parks scores 3.2/10 with 623K annual visitors. National Park of American Samoa is the quieter option.
When is the best time to visit National Park of American Samoa vs Redwood National and State Parks?
The best month to visit National Park of American Samoa is February, while Redwood National and State Parks is best visited in August. 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 Redwood National and State Parks?
National Park of American Samoa has 28 trail miles and Redwood National and State Parks has 125. Redwood National and State Parks offers significantly more trail variety.