Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Gateway Arch National Park, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Missouri, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Urban riverfront
- Best season
- Year-round
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Key takeaways
- Biome: Urban riverfront
- Best season: Year-round
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: hiking
Topic summary
The 630-foot stainless steel arch on the St. Louis riverfront — the tallest man-made monument in the United States.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: Year-round
Intended uses
- hiking
- camping
- backpacking
Climate suitability
Urban riverfront
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Gateway Arch National Park trip tools
How to get there
Gateway Arch National Park is in St. Louis, Missouri, on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Visitors commonly use downtown street parking, parking garages, or public transit. Parking is not included in tram ticket prices; check current parking and transportation information before arrival.
- Gateway Arch Museum and Visitor Center
The museum beneath the Arch is a free, ticket-free starting point for an indoor visit. Visitors entering the Arch must pass through airport-style security.
- Old Courthouse
A separate park attraction that can serve as a starting point for a history-focused visit. Entrance is free, requires no ticket, and is accessible.
Sources: nps.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Gateway Arch National Park
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Animals around Gateway Arch National Park
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Gateway Arch National ParkAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Gateway Arch National Park
Planning to fish Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Missouri are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Gateway Arch National Park?
- A Missouri fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Missouri fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
- Gateway Arch National Park may add its own fishing rules on top of Missouri law — check the managing agency too.
Hunting near Gateway Arch National Park
Thinking about hunting Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Missouri are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Gateway Arch National Park?
- Hunting is prohibited or heavily restricted in many national parks, wilderness and protected areas — confirm with the Gateway Arch National Park land manager before planning a hunt, and look to surrounding public land.
What do I need to hunt in Missouri?
- A Missouri hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
A riverfront park in downtown St. Louis
Gateway Arch National Park is an urban park visit built around architecture, history, and time outside on the Arch grounds, rather than a backcountry outing. The stainless-steel Arch stands on the west bank of the Mississippi River at the site where St. Louis was founded in 1764. At 630 feet tall, its weighted catenary shape dominates the park and gives a grounds walk a clear focal point. Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen designed the monument in 1947; construction finished in 1965, and it opened to the public in 1967. Built to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States, the Arch is also a National Historic Landmark. A practical visit can combine the outdoor grounds with the museum beneath the Arch and the Old Courthouse. Treat these as separate parts of the visit, with a reserved tram experience added if the trip to the top is a priority.
Choosing activities and booking the tram
The museum beneath the Arch and the Old Courthouse are free to enter and require no tickets. That makes them useful anchors for a visit without a tram reservation. Free ranger-led tours run on a regular schedule both outside on the grounds and inside the museum; check the current program schedule when planning. The Tram Ride to the Top is a separate, timed experience, with an interactive pre-boarding presentation followed by the trip up the monument. Allow 45–60 minutes for the full tram experience. Advance tickets are recommended because busy days can sell out. Adult tickets range from $15 to $19 depending on the day, and tickets are available online at gatewayarch.com/buy-tickets, by phone, or at the park entrance. An eligible national parks pass provides a $3 discount on tram and documentary movie tickets, with up to four discounted tickets per pass. Parking is not included in ticket prices.
Accessibility, security, and outdoor planning
Plan around the distinction between the accessible indoor attractions and the tram. The Museum at the Gateway Arch, documentary movie, and Old Courthouse are accessible, but the tram ride to the top is not ADA accessible. Visitors who cannot use the tram can still build a visit around those indoor attractions and the Arch grounds. All visitors entering the Arch must pass through an airport-style security checkpoint. Firearms, fixed-blade knives, pepper spray, mace, and electronic weapons are prohibited, so check what is in a daypack before arriving rather than carrying a standard outdoor kit without review. For time on the grounds, bring water and clothing suited to the day's weather. Downtown street parking, parking garages, and public transit are commonly used ways to reach the park. Keep transportation arrangements separate from attraction bookings, and leave room in the visit for security screening before a timed tram experience.
Route options
- Arch grounds walk
Spend the outdoor portion of the visit on the grounds around the stainless-steel monument. Free ranger-led tours take place outside on a regular schedule; check current programs if a guided walk is preferred.
- Museum and Old Courthouse visit
Combine the museum beneath the Arch with the Old Courthouse for a history-focused itinerary without tram tickets. Both attractions are free, ticket-free, and accessible.
- Tram Ride to the Top
Take the timed tram experience to the top of the 630-foot Arch, beginning with an interactive pre-boarding presentation. Allow 45–60 minutes and book ahead, especially for busy days. The tram is not ADA accessible.
Sample itineraries
- Arch Grounds, Museum, and Tram · 1 day
Explore the Arch grounds, visit the free museum beneath the monument, and take a reserved Tram Ride to the Top. Allow 45–60 minutes for the tram experience, plus time for security. Check the schedule for ranger-led tours outdoors and inside the museum.
- Free Museum and Old Courthouse Visit · 1 day
Build a ticket-free day around the Museum at the Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse, and Arch grounds. Look for a scheduled free ranger-led tour. This option keeps the focus on history and ground-level exploration rather than the tram.
- Two-Day History and Arch Visit · 2 days
Spend the first day exploring the museum and Old Courthouse. Return the next day for the Arch grounds, documentary movie, and a reserved tram ride to the top of the 630-foot monument. Movie and tram tickets cost extra; parking is separate.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Check the St. Louis forecast before exploring the outdoor Arch grounds. Keep the museum and Old Courthouse as indoor alternatives, and confirm tram availability for the chosen day.
Summer
Summer
Match clothing and water needs to the forecast when spending time on the grounds. Combine outdoor exploration with indoor museum time. Advance tram tickets are recommended because busy days can sell out.
Fall
Fall
Use the local forecast to plan time outside beneath the Arch and clothing for the day. The museum and Old Courthouse offer indoor stops. Check the ranger-led tour schedule before visiting.
Winter
Winter
Check weather before committing to extended time on the grounds. Plan an indoor-focused visit around the museum and Old Courthouse when outdoor conditions are uncomfortable. Confirm ticket availability before making the tram the centerpiece of the day.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Check the St. Louis forecast before exploring the outdoor Arch grounds. Keep the museum and Old Courthouse as indoor alternatives, and confirm tram availability for the chosen day. |
| Summer | Summer | Match clothing and water needs to the forecast when spending time on the grounds. Combine outdoor exploration with indoor museum time. Advance tram tickets are recommended because busy days can sell out. |
| Fall | Fall | Use the local forecast to plan time outside beneath the Arch and clothing for the day. The museum and Old Courthouse offer indoor stops. Check the ranger-led tour schedule before visiting. |
| Winter | Winter | Check weather before committing to extended time on the grounds. Plan an indoor-focused visit around the museum and Old Courthouse when outdoor conditions are uncomfortable. Confirm ticket availability before making the tram the centerpiece of the day. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm activity-specific permit requirements with the National Park Service. All visitors entering the Arch must pass through airport-style security.
Fees: The museum and Old Courthouse are free. Adult tram tickets cost $15–$19 by visit date; children ages 3–15 start at $11, and infants ages 2 and under are free. Eligible park passes provide a $3 tram or documentary movie discount for up to four tickets. Parking is not included.
Reservations: The tram uses timed entry; advance tickets are recommended because busy days sell out. Buy at www.gatewayarch.com/buy-tickets/, by calling 877-982-1410, or at the park entrance. The museum and Old Courthouse require no tickets.
Official source: Fees & Passes - Gateway Arch National Park (U.S. National Park ... · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- The tram ride to the top is not ADA accessible. Visitors needing accessible activities can choose the museum, documentary movie, and Old Courthouse.
- Airport-style security applies to all Arch visitors. Firearms, fixed-blade knives, pepper spray, mace, and electronic weapons are prohibited.
- The Arch grounds are outdoors. Check current weather and adjust clothing, water, and time outside to conditions.
What to pack for Gateway Arch National Park
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Water for time outdoors
- Tram reservation confirmation
- Eligible park pass if claiming a discount
- A bag checked for prohibited weapons before arrival
Gateway Arch National Park FAQ
- Where is Gateway Arch National Park?
- The park is in St. Louis, Missouri. The Arch stands on the west bank of the Mississippi River, at the site of St. Louis's founding in 1764.
- How long does the tram experience take?
- Allow 45–60 minutes for the Tram Ride to the Top experience, including its interactive pre-boarding component. Budget additional time for security, the museum, and walking the grounds.
- What can visitors do without buying a ticket?
- Visit the museum, gift store, cafe, and Old Courthouse without an admission ticket. Free ranger-led tours run on a regular schedule on the grounds and inside the museum. Purchases in the store and cafe are separate.
- Is the park accessible?
- The Museum at the Gateway Arch, documentary movie, and Old Courthouse are accessible. The tram ride to the top is not ADA accessible; check the park's accessibility guidance before planning that experience.
- Is parking included with tram tickets?
- No. Visitors commonly use street parking, downtown parking garages, or public transit. Allow for parking or transportation costs separately from attraction tickets.
- What does the Arch commemorate?
- The stainless-steel Arch commemorates the westward expansion of the United States. Designed by Eero Saarinen, it rises 630 feet and opened to the public in 1967.