Park Comparison
National Park of American Samoa vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
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.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
America's largest park holds nine of the continent's sixteen highest peaks, including Mount St. Elias, with glaciers you can drive to.
At a Glance
The Crowd Picture
National Park of American Samoa sees less than half the visitors Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve 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.
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve welcomes 81,670 visitors annually across 20,626 square miles — about 4 visitors per square mile. Congestion is low, peaking in July. With only 0 comfortable months, visitors concentrate into a short window.
National Park of American Samoa edges out Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve 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
Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve 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
Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve Top Activities
- rock climbing 9/10
- scenic driving 9/10
- photography 9/10
- hiking 8/10
- backpacking 8/10
Camping
Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve 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
- Are traveling with young kids
Choose Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve if you...
- Want to experience Mount St. Elias
- Are looking for world-class rock climbing
- Are an adventure seeker looking for thrills
- Want more trail options (70 miles vs 28)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, National Park of American Samoa or Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
It depends on what you're looking for. National Park of American Samoa is known for Pola Island, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is known for Mount St. Elias. 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 Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve more crowded?
National Park of American Samoa has a congestion index of 1.2/10 and receives 22,567 visitors per year. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve scores 3/10 with 81,670 annual visitors. National Park of American Samoa is the quieter option.
When is the best time to visit National Park of American Samoa vs Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
The best month to visit National Park of American Samoa is February, while Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve is best visited in June. 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 Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve?
National Park of American Samoa has 28 trail miles and Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve has 70. Wrangell - St Elias & Preserve offers significantly more trail variety.