Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, and Dred and Harriet Scott, who sued for their freedom in the Old Courthouse.
192.8acres of parkland
2.2Mrecreation visits, 2025
May · Sep · Octnearby climate picks
Seasonal access & reservations
No reviewed guidance for this selection. Check the park's official planning pages; missing coverage does not establish access.
Selected guidance only; separate from climate comfort and current conditions.
Official conditions Loading saved check
Loading the latest saved conditions. You can also check the official report below.
Editorial recommendations, reviewed 2026-10-17. Full park days, excluding travel to and from the region. A first-visit outline for a general traveler; adapt to mobility, fitness, season, reservations, and current conditions. These are suggested days, not reserved activities or guaranteed routes.
Official NPS features and USGS park boundaries, imported 2026-10-17. An inventory snapshot, not live trail or parking availability.
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TrailsPoints of interestParkingZoom with buttons or pinch. Toggle layers on the map.
Map coverage varies. Trail names may represent segments, connectors, or shared park units; mapped lines are not a hiking recommendation. Use official conditions and navigation resources before heading out.
Inventory record · 89 source segments; not a route distance.
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Gateway Arch Trail Inventory record · 20 source segments; not a route distance.
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Pine Street Inventory record · 1 source segments; not a route distance.
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NPS public GIS inventory, imported 2026-10-17. “Existing” is an inventory classification, not confirmation that a trail is open. Segment counts are not route distances. Parking records do not indicate space availability, fees, or accessibility certification. View government source ↗
Climate for St. Louis, 1 km from the park reference point. 1991–2020 normals. Source elevation: 142 m.
Daytime highNighttime lowOctober: 67° / 48°
Daytime high67°
Precipitation87 mm
Daylight11.0 hrs
Wind11.8 km/h
Mountain, rim, valley, and coastal conditions can differ sharply from the source town. Check park forecasts and current conditions before travel.
Monthly climate data 12 months · °F
Month
High
Low
Rain / snow water
Wet days
Daylight
39°
24°
70 mm
8.2
9.6 h
44°
28°
63 mm
7.7
10.5 h
55°
37°
94 mm
10.5
11.7 h
66°
47°
117 mm
11.2
13.0 h
75°
58°
128 mm
13.5
14.1 h
84°
67°
106 mm
11.0
14.6 h
87°
70°
86 mm
9.9
14.4 h
86°
68°
74 mm
9.2
13.5 h
79°
60°
83 mm
7.6
12.3 h
67°
48°
87 mm
8.4
11.0 h
54°
37°
93 mm
8.6
9.9 h
43°
29°
65 mm
8.2
9.4 h
RESEARCH WITH THE SOURCE IN VIEW
The practical field guide.
Official NPS excerpts imported 2026-10-17. Fees, permits, road access, and operations can change; use the source link to confirm the latest information.
Gateway Arch National Park consists of the Gateway Arch itself, the free history museum under it, the 90 acres of beautiful landscape that surround it, and the Old Courthouse, which was already 100 years old when the arch was built. It has been a unit of the National Park Service since 1935, when 40 city blocks were designated Jefferson National Expansion Memorial by Roosevelt's Executive Order 7253. In 2018, the park was renamed Gateway Arch National Park by an Act of Congress. Many visitors enjoy riding to the top of the Gateway Arch. Tickets are available through our park partner, Bistate Development. Both the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse have free museums and Junior Ranger programs. Frequently Asked Questions : learn the answers to the most common questions about the Arch. Información del parque en español Informations sur le parc en français Parkinformationen auf Deutsch اطلاعات اولیه پارک به زبان فارسی
Please note: Visitors enter the Arch through the west entrance, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exit only.
Gateway Arch Visitor Center
Top of the Arch
The top of the Gateway Arch is not wheelchair accessible. To reach it and return, you must manage a minimum of 96 steps, which are separated into 6 flights of stairs. Please be aware you may need to stand 30-60 minutes or longer, especially during the busy summer season. There are no restrooms or benches at the top of the Arch. Service animals (as defined by the US Departmentment of Justice) are permitted, at the top of the Arch, Museum and in Tucker theater.
Museum Under the Arch
In the museum there is a replica of the final piece of the Gateway Arch. Inside, livestream video screens replicate the experience as much as possible for visitors who cannot make the trip to the top.
The museum exhibits have multiple accessiblity features, including tactile exhibits and interactive computer simulations that are visitor directed through a touchscreen.
Assistive Listening devices for museum exhibits are available at the entrance desk.
Free wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A state ID will be taken as collateral and returned to the owner when the wheelchair is returned. To pick up a wheelchair, ask a ranger at the entrance desk or at Tucker Theater. Both standard size and extra wide chairs are available for visitors to check out. The entrance desk is about 100 yards from the closest pickup/dropoff location on Market Street.
The entrance desk of the Gateway Arch features an UbiDuo machine so people with hearing or speech impairments can communicate with the park ranger via a keyboard.
Assistive Listening and Audio Description devices are available upon request
All media shown in Tucker Theater is closed captioned
Sign language interpretation for live programs is available with two weeks advance notice. Please call 314-655-1614.
NPS Photo/Sue Ford
The paved paths that cross the grounds are fully accessible. Pickup and Dropoff Locations
If the walk from a parking garage to the entrance is too much, visitors can pick up their party members from one of these locations: Memorial Drive, near the Old Cathedral parking lot Market Street, between Luther Ely Smith Square and Gateway Tower Chestnut Street, between Luther Ely Smith Square and the Hyatt Hotel 4th St, between Luther Ely Smith Square and the Old Courthouse
Memorial Drive, near the Old Cathedral parking lot
Market Street, between Luther Ely Smith Square and Gateway Tower
Chestnut Street, between Luther Ely Smith Square and the Hyatt Hotel
4th St, between Luther Ely Smith Square and the Old Courthouse
Parking is not allowed at any of these places, but vehicles can idle while loading or unloading visitors.
The Old Courthouse features accessibility ramps on the east and west sides of the building. All exhibit galleries are wheelchair accessible. There is an elevator to access the second floor courtrooms. The east courtroom (courtroom 13) is accessible, but the west courtroom (courtroom 4) has a step at the entrance.
The Levee and Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard
There are around 65 steps in the Grand Staircase between the Arch Grounds and Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, which is next to the levee. Two ramps provide an accessible path from Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard to the Gateway Arch grounds. The parking spaces on the cobblestone levee are not accessible due to the slope. For further information, please contact us through our information line at 314-655-1600, or call Missouri relay at (voice) 1-800-735-2966. Missouri Relay provides services for those who are hearing impaired.
If you are a U.S. citizen and have a permanent disability, you may obtain a free America the Beautiful Access Pass at the Gateway Arch Information Desk. The pass allows free admission to federal areas which charge entrance fees and may provide reductions for other fees. For more information on America the Beautiful Park Passes (including the Access Passes) click here.
Parking/transportation fees are possible You may need to pay for parking, or for a shuttle, ferry, or other transportation while visiting the park. More about parking/transportation fees
Make a reservation This park has a timed entry system. You may need to make a reservation in advance. Reservations and timed entry
Reservations and Timed Entry
Tram Ride to the Top Reservation
Pre-boarding tour and top of the arch ticket
Prices vary by date of visit. Begin your tour with an interactive pre-boarding experience featuring 60s-inspired animation and Gateway Arch trivia. Then, be transported 630 feet to the top of Arch for exhilarating views. Please allow 45 - 60 minutes for your Tram Ride to the Top experience. Adult (16 and up): Starting at $15 Child (3-15): Starting at $11 Infant (2 and under): FREE Park Pass Holder: Starting at $12 Tickets available at www.gatewayarch.com
2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to US citizens and residents (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
February 16 : Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
May 25 : Memorial Day
June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
September 17: Constitution Day
October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11: Veterans Day
What can I do for free?
You can go to the museum, gift store, and cafe without a ticket. These activities are always free for all visitors. You can also tour the Old Courthouse without a ticket.
How much do tickets cost and where do I get them?
Tickets are available at the entrance to Gateway Arch National Park, over the phone at (877) 982-1410, or online at www.gatewayarch.com/buy-tickets . Adult prices range from $15-$19, depending on the day (Peak Visitation Days are more expensive).
What does my Interagency Pass get me at this park?
Pass holders get a $3 discount on the tram ride to the top and documentary movie. If buying tickets online, be sure to select the "National Park Pass Holder" option. One park pass can purchase up to 4 discounted tickets.
What activities are accessible?
The Museum at the Gateway Arch, documentary movie, and Old Courthouse are accessible. The tram ride to the top of the arch is not ADA Accessible. Learn more about accessibility at the park here.
Is parking included in the ticket cost?
No, parking is not included. Street parking, downtown parking garages, or public transit are all commonly used by visitors. Learn more about parking here .
Should I get tickets in advance?
Getting tickets in advance is recommended. On busy days, we do sell out. Tickets are available over the phone at (877) 982-1410, or online at www.gatewayarch.com/buy-tickets .
More Information
Due to security measures at the Gateway Arch, all visitors to the Arch must pass through an airport style security checkpoint. No weapons - including firearms, fixed-blade knives, pepper spray, mace or electronic weapons - are allowed.
Free ranger-led tours are given on a regular schedule both outside on the Arch grounds and inside the museum. Arrangements for special ranger-led tours can be made in advance by calling 1-877-982-1410.
Photo on the pass by Michael Zheng
For more information on America the Beautiful Park Passes (such as Annual Passes, Senior Passes, Veteran Passes, Military Passes, 4th Grade Passes, Access Passes, and Volunteer Passes) click here. The Annual, Senior Annual, and Senior Lifetime Federal Recreation Passes are for sale to visitors at Gateway Arch National Park in the Arch Store, and at the Old Courthouse Shop. They are sold by a third-party vendor (Jefferson National Parks Association) and not by National Park Service employees. Due to this special arrangement, visitors who have receipts for Annual passes that they have purchased at other national parks/sites cannot use those receipts as credit towards the cost of an $80 Annual pass. Also, due to this third-party arrangement at Gateway Arch National Park, visitors who have purchased Senior Annual passes at other national parks/sites cannot use them as credit towards the cost of an $80 Senior Lifetime pass. That exchange can only be done at national parks/sites where Federal Recreation Passes are sold by National Park Service employees.
Gateway Arch National Park is located in the heart of downtown St. Louis on the Mississippi River. Interstate Routes 44, 55, 64 and 70 converge near the park. We have no designated parking lots at the park and instead rely on the ample city parking garages or street parking nearby. We recommend that visitors plan parking in advance. Please note: Visitors enter the Arch through the west entrance, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exit only.
Traveling By Car
From Missouri Interstates:
Interstate 44 East/55 North: Take Exit 292 for Lumiere Place Blvd./Washington Ave./Eads Bridge then take the u-turn from the left lane to access Pine Street and downtown.
Interstate 64 East: Take Exit 40 for Last Missouri Exit. Turn left onto Gratiot, then left onto Fourth Street. Continue north on Fourth Street to access downtown.
Interstate 70 East: Take Exit 249B for Tucker Blvd. Turn left onto Market Street to access downtown.
From Illinois Interstates:
Poplar Street Bridge: (55 South/64 West): After crossing the bridge, continue on 64/40 West and take Exit 40A for Stadium/Tucker Blvd. Continue straight off the exit then turn right on Walnut Street to access downtown. Martin Luther King Bridge: After crossing the bridge, turn left under the interstate onto Carr Street followed by an immediate left onto Broadway to access downtown. Eads Bridge: After crossing the bridge, continue straight on Washington Avenue to access downtown. Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge: After crossing the bridge, take the left exit for North Tucker Blvd. Turn left on Market Street to access downtown.
Traveling By MetroLink
The Gateway Arch is easily accessible from St. Louis' MetroLink regional transit system. Board at any station and exit at 8th and Pine or Lacledes Landing and follow the signs to the park (a ten minute walk). The trip from Lambert St. Louis International Airport to Gateway Arch National Park is 28 minutes, with departures to and from Lambert every 15-20 minutes.
Drop off and parking for Bus Tours
Three bus drop-off areas are available to serve our visitors. 1) On Memorial Drive alongside the Old Cathedral Parking lot, 2) on the north and south sides of Luther Ely Smith Square near the west entrance to the Gateway Arch, and 3) on the south side of the Old Courthouse on Market Street.
Additional bus drop off information
Security Note: All visitors to the Arch must pass through an airport style security checkpoint. No weapons -- including firearms, fixed-blade knives, pepper spray, mace, or electronic weapons -- are allowed. If you have pre-purchased your tram ticket, please arrive at least 30 minutes before your tram time.
We gladly welcome well-behaved pets to the park! Pets are allowed anywhere outdoors, provided they are properly restrained. Service animals are permitted inside the visitor center. If your pet would like to become a B.A.R.K. ranger, stop by the visitor center's entrance desk during open hours and show the ranger photos or videos of your pet following all the principles of B.A.R.K on the park grounds. Your pet will earn a special keepsake prize! At this time, B.A.R.K. tags are only available in-person and cannot be mailed.
2027 B.A.R.K. Ranger Events:
Check back soon, we look forward to adding event dates in early 2027. B.A.R.K. Ranger events are always free and open to everyone. Dogs must be leashed and friendly. All events will start at 10:00 a.m. at the park entrance. Since B.A.R.K. Ranger events are held outdoors, they will be cancelled in case of inclement weather. Check out our park calendar or email us for more information.
NPS Photo: D. Reissing
B.A.R.K. Ranger Principles
B = Bag Your Poo
Keep our park a clean and healthy place to visit. Trash containers are located throughout the park. Please remember that dog feces is not a natural fertilizer. Runoff from dog feces can contaminate our park and can also spread diseases such as parvovirus, giardia, and roundworms.
A = Always Wear a Leash
Even a well-behaved dog can behave unpredictably when visiting an unfamiliar environment. Please stay on a leash no more than 6 feet long at all times. This keeps everyone safe.
R = Respect Wildlife
You are visiting the homes of other animals when walking around the park, so please be respectful. No chasing any squirrels, rabbits, opossums, or other creatures you may encounter.
K = Know Where You Can Go
Pets are allowed in all the outdoor areas of the park, but only service animals can go inside buildings. Dogs may not swim in the reflecting pools or root around in garden beds. Pets should never be left unattended anywhere in the park. Pets should also never be left unattended in vehicles, especially during summer.
January and February: Winter is a perfect time to visit! There are no lines for the trams, no waiting for movies, and the weather is surprisingly mild. Prolonged periods of extremely cold weather are rare.
March and April: We experience a visitation rush during spring break season, but it is less busy than summer. Our beautifully landscaped gardens have their first blooms of the year in March. In late March through April, the magnolia and redbud trees impress and delight visitors.
May: May is very busy with school field trips and group tours.
June and July: Summer is high season at Gateway Arch National Park. Come early, or come late (the crowds are light during the evening) and make sure to book your tram ticket in advance at gatewayarch.com. Extended hours start on Memorial Day Weekend, which will allow summer visitors more flexibility in their plans. The summer heat and humidity can be intense in St. Louis, but the visitor center under the Gateway Arch is air conditioned and comfortable no matter what the weather outside.
August and September: The crowds thin out as kids return to school.
November and December : Fall can be a busy time due to many group tours. The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year, so be sure to book your tickets in advance and arrive early if you plan to visit that day.
Please Note: The drinking fountains are winterized every year to prevent freezing of the plumbing components. This is done around the first of Oct through the middle of May.
Normal Daily Mean Temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit)*
February - 33.9
September - 70.2
November - 46.2
December - 33.9
Average Percent of Days with Sunshine*
September - 63%
*Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Tram rides to the top continue as scheduled during extreme weather events. The Arch has a series of lightning rods on the top which are grounded directly into bedrock, with a perfectly insulated interior. It is able to withstand the hundreds of lightning bolts that hit it each year. As a precaution, tram rides to the top will be suspended during tornado warnings. If this happens, refunds will be issued.
A FEW REASONS TO GO
A closer look.
14 official park photos
Morning Light at the Gateway ArchNPS Photo/Sue Ford Images link to the original government source.Dred and Harriet Scott statue at Gateway Arch National ParkNPS Photo/Sue Ford The Gateway ArchNPS/Jennifer Clark The Old CourthouseNPS photo/Jennifer Clark Sunset glow on the Gateway ArchNPS Photo/Sue Ford The Old CourthouseNPS photo/Jennifer Clark The blooming cherry trees in Kiener Plaza provide a wonderful foreground for the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse in spring.NPS photo/Jennifer Clark Fireworks at the Gateway ArchNPS Photo/Jennifer Clark looking up at the Rotunda of the Old CourthouseNPS Photo/Jen Clark Tactile exhibits include Braille labels, and listening devices are available for visitor use.NPS Photo Ramp from street level up to the Gateway Arch grounds.NPS Photo/Sue Ford The entrance to the Gateway Arch is located further to the west than the arch itself. While approaching the arch, look for the entrance as shown in the picture above.NPS Photo/Sue Ford
Look closer at accessibility.
No structured outing assessments have been reviewed for this park yet. Check the official accessibility guide for your requirements.
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