Gateway Arch National Park

The following content on Gateway Arch National Park is licenced from National Geographic's Guide to National Parks of the United States (9th Edition).

SINCE ITS COMPLETION IN 1965, the soaring Gateway Arch has become the symbol of St. Louis, and one of the most recognizable urban icons in the world. Designed by architect Eero Saarinen, the arch for 53 years stood as the centerpiece of what was known as Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
Established February 22, 2018
91 Acres


The site’s change in status to Gateway Arch National Park in 2018 encompassed much more than a new name: the park went through a near-complete transformation, making it more accessible, more beautiful, and more representative of St. Louis’s historic past and the modern city that has evolved on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Once cut off by an interstate highway, today an inviting swath of greenery connects the arch, the park museum, and the historic 19th-century Old Courthouse, making it easy to stroll to and from the city center and the park. The museum has also been reimagined, using technology to tell stories of pioneers and native peoples who shaped the American West—including the amazing narrative of the Lewis and Clark expedition, which set off from the St. Louis area in 1804 as part of Thomas Jefferson’s ambitious vision for the young United States.

How to Visit

The park grounds are open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, for those who wish to walk the riverside trails and enjoy the arch from ground level. Visitors taking the tram to the top enter through the museum’s westfacing entrance. Wait times can be long in summer, so consider advance reservations (gatewayarch.com, 877-982-1410). The park’s nonprofit partner also administers sightseeing and specialty riverboat cruises on the Mississippi, departing from a dock adjacent to the arch (closed in winter; gatewayarch.com).

Useful Information

How to get there

The park is located in downtown St. Louis, MO. There is no parking in the national park, but several private lots are nearby. The park is also accessible by St. Louis MetroLink rail and MetroBus.

When to go

The Gateway Arch, museum, and Old Courthouse are open year-round, although steamboat cruises do not operate from about Dec. through March. Wait times for tram rides to the top of the arch are much shorter outside the summer peak season.

Visitor Center

The Museum at the Gateway Arch, located between the legs of the arch, serves as the park visitor center.

Headquarters

11 North 4th St. St. Louis, MO 63102 nps.gov/jeff 314-655-1600

Lodging

Many hotels are located within walking distance of the park in downtown St. Louis. Information is available from the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission (explorestlouis.com).

US National Parks Map

About the Guide

Bask in the spectacular beauty, thrilling terrain, and quiet peacefulness of the country’s finest state parks, hand- picked by park directors and National Geographic editors. This fully updated fifth edition includes 750 additional off- the-beaten track destinations. Beautifully written descriptions tell the stories of the parks, from their wildlife, natural features, and history to their most popular current activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, water sports, and rock climbing. Vivid images inspire your next getaway, while detailed information–including 32 detailed maps highlighting sites, trails, campgrounds, and more– helps you plan your next excursion. From free to low-cost, from Florida to Alaska, from the six-acre lao Valley to the 204,000-acre Baxter, use this essential guide to plan a day visit or a weekend escape.

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