Gateway Arch National Park covers 193 acres in Missouri. It became a national park on February 22, 2018, the 60th of today’s 64 parks to get that title. It recorded 2,209,028 recreation visits in 2025, the 15th most of the 63 parks with a 2025 count.
Today at Gateway Arch
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Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for Gateway Arch Visitor Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
In the park service’s words
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.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Entrance fee and passes
The standard entrance pass is $3 per person. The $3 NPS entrance fee is included in each adult Tram Ride to the Top and documentary movie ticket. The grounds and museum are free.
Here the fee is charged per person. An America the Beautiful pass covers the pass holder plus three more adults.
Entrance is free for U.S. residents on the 2026 fee-free days.
Best time to visit
- Best time to visit Gateway Arch: April and May. The weather is at its most comfortable then, and crowds are lighter than at the peak.
- Busiest month: July, with about 514,708 visits in a typical recent year. That is 4.7 times as many as December.
- Quietest month: January (57,256 visits), when weather or closures keep most people away.
Bar height: visitors that month, compared with the busiest month. Temperatures: average daily high and low (°F); rain and snow: monthly averages. Best marks the months we suggest.
More detail: the best time to visit Gateway Arch, month by month.
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit: crowds and weather month by month
- Itinerary: a ready-made day
- Things to do: 0 hikes and 15 other activities
- Getting there: Nearest gas to Gateway Arch Visitor Center: BP, 0.6 miles away. Closest airport St. Louis Lambert International Airport (13 mi)
- Know before you go: safety, what to pack and what to leave at home
Weather, in the park service’s words
The park service says:
Normal Daily Mean Temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) January - 29.3 February - 33.9 March - 45.1 April - 56.7 May - 66.1 June - 75.4 July - 79.8 August - 77.6 September - 70.2 October - 58.4 November - 46.2 December - 33.9 Average Percent of Days with Sunshine January - 50% February - 52% March - 54% April - 56% May - 59% June - 66% July - 68% August - 65% September - 63% October - 60% November - 46% December - 53% *Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Nearby national parks by road
- Indiana Dunes (Indiana): about 5 h 45 min by car (303 miles)
- Mammoth Cave (Kentucky): about 5 h 55 min by car (290 miles)
- Hot Springs (Arkansas): about 7 h 30 min by car (398 miles)
- Great Smoky Mountains (North Carolina and Tennessee): about 9 h 50 min by car (528 miles)
Drive times run between the closest visitor centers of each pair, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads. Link several parks with the road trip planner.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Gateway Arch National Park?
The standard entrance pass is $3 per person. The $3 NPS entrance fee is included in each adult Tram Ride to the Top and documentary movie ticket. The grounds and museum are free.
What state is Gateway Arch National Park in?
Missouri.
When did Gateway Arch become a national park?
February 22, 2018.
How many people visit Gateway Arch?
2,209,028 recreation visits were counted in 2025.
When is the best time to visit Gateway Arch?
April and May. July is the busiest month and December the quietest while the park is fully open.
