Best trails in Gateway Arch National Park
Designated in 2018 as a national park, Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the only national park in Missouri. Even though Gateway Arch is the smallest national park at %{91_acres}, there's a lot to explore! The central feature is the Gateway Arch, formerly known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The memorial was built to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States through the completion of the Louisiana Purchase. The park is also home to the Old Courthouse, where landmark civil rights cases were heard, including the first two trials of the Dred Scott case.
The Gateway Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. Construction began in 1963, and the arch was completed in 1965. Each section of the arch is a double-walled steel triangle with sides of equal length that get smaller as they approach the top. The triangular sections are welded together, which required extreme precision to meet at the top. The space between the steel walls in the lower sections is filled with concrete, and the upper ones have steel reinforcements. The Gateway Arch is %{630_feet} wide and %{630_feet} tall, making it the tallest arch in the world and the tallest accessible building in Missouri.
You can go inside the Gateway Arch! Inside, a tram system that's part elevator, part Ferris wheel, takes visitors to the top. The system was developed in the 1960s and is an engineering marvel unique to the arch. (There are also 1,076 steps inside each side of the arch, but these are for maintenance use only.) At the top of the arch, there's an observation deck where you can see downtown St. Louis on one side and the Mississippi River and Illinois on the other. Going up to the top of the arch is the most popular activity, but don't miss the underground museum, where you can learn about the history of colonial St. Louis and the construction and significance of the arch.
The park is open year-round, but spring and summer are the most popular times to visit for the most pleasant weather. If you're visiting during the spring or summer and want to ride the tram to the top of the arch, consider purchasing tickets in advance, because they often sell out. Fall is also a great time to visit to view the changing leaves throughout the park.
There is no entrance fee to visit the park, or to visit the museum, cafe, and gift shop under the arch. Tickets are required if you want to ride the tram to the top of the arch, see the documentary film about the arch's construction, or take a riverboat cruise.
Top trails
- (336)·Easy·1.8 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrA wonderful urban trail with views of the iconic arch. Deviate from this route to explore the grounds of this famous National Park. Accessibility: There are 4 designated accessible spaces in the paved parking lot off of Memorial Drive at the west end of the trail. All of them are van-accessible with striped access aisles. The trail surface is pavement (with partial railings), smooth, and typically at least 6 feet wide. The estimated grade is mostly gentle (5% or less) except for moderately...
- (198)·Easy·1.6 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThe Gateway Arch Loop in Gateway Arch National Park offers an exceptional experience in St. Louis, MO. Starting at the parking area just south of the Basilica of St. Louis on Memorial Dr., this paved, family-friendly trail features stunning views of the Mississippi River, the St. Louis skyline, and the iconic Gateway Arch. Immerse yourself in the area's rich history as you enjoy this scenic urban trail. Accessibility: Equipment This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs,...
- (130)·Easy·0.6 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThe Inner Loop in Gateway Arch National Park offers an exceptional experience in St. Louis, MO. Starting at the commons area just south of the Basilica of St. Louis, this paved, family-friendly loop around the reflective pool features stunning views of the St. Louis skyline, the Mississippi River, and the iconic Gateway Arch. Immerse yourself in rich history as you enjoy this scenic urban trail. Accessibility: Equipment This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs,...
- (51)·Easy·0.9 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThe North Pond Loop in Gateway Arch National Park offers an exceptional experience in St. Louis, MO. Starting at the commons area just south of the Basilica of St. Louis, this paved, family-friendly loop around North Pond features stunning views of the St. Louis skyline, the Mississippi River, and the iconic Gateway Arch. Immerse yourself in rich history as you enjoy this scenic urban trail. Accessibility: Equipment This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility...
- (20)·Easy·0.7 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThe South Pond Loop in Gateway Arch National Park offers an exceptional experience in St. Louis, MO. Starting at the commons area just south of the Basilica of St. Louis., this paved, family-friendly loop around South Pond features stunning views of the St. Louis skyline, the Mississippi River, and the iconic Gateway Arch. Immerse yourself in rich history as you enjoy this scenic urban trail. Accessibility: Equipment This trail is likely accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility...
Visitor info
If you wish to browse in the Museum and Visitor Center, there is no entrance fee. When park visitors 16 and up buy tram or movie tickets, $3.00 of their ticket price goes to the National Park Service (entrance fee). Therefore, if visitors have an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, they do not have to pay that $3.00 fee and they effectively get a $3.00 "discount" on the tram ride to the top and the documentary movie. Each passholder can purchase up to four discounted tickets. The museum under the Gateway Arch is always free for all visitors and does not require any tickets. Entrance to the Old Courthouse is also free and does not require any tickets.
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
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The visitor center and most of the first floor of the Old Courthouse are wheelchair accessible, but the top of the Gateway Arch and upper floors of the courthouse are only accessible by stairs.
Additional information about accessibility at Gateway Arch National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/accessibility2.htm
The visitor center and most of the first floor of the Old Courthouse are wheelchair accessible, but the top of the Gateway Arch and upper floors of the courthouse can only be reached by stairs.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
