When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Affiliate Policy.
When I think of National Parks, I think of driving through the mountains, walking between canyons, and listening to rivers and waterfalls babble. Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis isn’t that.
Instead, its main attraction is entirely man-made (yet iconic) Gateway Arch which stands on just 90.96 acres in downtown St. Louis, Missouri and commemorates the historical significance of westward expansion.
So why did we visit if it doesn’t have beautiful landscapes or waterfalls? Because the Gateway Arch itself is worth seeing, and its location in the heart of St. Louis makes it a convenient stopping point when road-tripping across the US.
While we try to bring Toby and Lily, our furry travel companions, along on road trips, sometimes we need a little time to ourselves. For our road trip to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, our pups spent quality time with their Wisconsin grandparents.
The drive from Alabama to Wisconsin takes around 13 hours. Thankfully, my parents met us roughly halfway at the arch. It made for an ideal, and dog-friendly, meeting spot where we could do a “pupper handoff”. The space is green, there’s a good amount of parking, restaurants nearby as well as hotels and plenty of things to do.
Our Experience Visiting Gateway Arch National Park
We’ve visited the Gateway Arch twice, once in 2021 while driving from Alabama to Glacier National Park, and again in 2023 during a road trip to Mount Rainier.
On our first visit, we didn’t know that it was a designated National Park. We thought it was just a National Monument or an interesting attraction (like Cloud Gate in Chicago) where we could stop for pictures.
It wasn’t until we arrived and saw the National Park sign that we realized Gateway Arch was in fact a National Park.
We parked along the Mississippi River and took the stairs leading up to the arch. The arch felt massive as we walked up the steps and, as we made it to the top, we could see the cityscape of St. Louis through it.
Our dogs joined us on both trips to the arch. Both love exploring new places, Toby in particular. Lily, our youngest, was a little hesitant with all of the tourists walking around, but she became more comfortable after making it to the grassy area around the monument. The area around the arch is very dog-friendly.
The park itself felt both larger and smaller than we expected. We loved how wide open and green the space around the arch was, but the overall park’s footprint is small.
With us traveling to Mount Rainier back in 2023, my parents met us in St. Louis for what we call the “pupper handoff”. It worked out to be a perfect halfway point between them in Wisconsin and us in Alabama.
When we all made it to St. Louis, we first met for lunch at Hammerstone’s, a dog-friendly tavern that’s just a five-minute drive from the Gateway Arch. After lunch, we drove to the arch and parked along the Mississippi River just like we did back in 2021.
The arch is really massive. It stands 630 feet tall and makes itself known even from miles away.
We only spent about an hour at Gateway Arch National Park, though. We didn’t explore the Old Courthouse, tram, museum or visitor center. We are both more interested in nature and landscapes instead of historical sites, so the park didn’t quite resonate with us in the same way other National Parks have. The arch and the surrounding grass doesn’t have much in the way of hiking or outdoor adventure.
Its status as a ‘National Park’ feels a bit out of place compared to what we typically expect from such experiences. More on that below.
That said, the arch is worth a visiting to both check it off your National Parks list and also learn some U.S. history. Even if we thought the stop was a little dull, the site does hold deep historical significance in commemorating America’s westward expansion.
If you’re looking for more things to do after spending some time at the arch, head into downtown St. Louis where you’ll find restaurants and other places to explore.
The History of Gateway Arch National Park
The Gateway Arch is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the US. Itw as designed by architect Eero Saarinen and symbolizes the “gateway to the West, the national expansion, and whatnot“.
The arch was completed on October 28th, 1965 (four years after Eero’s death) and marks St. Louis as the starting point for pioneers heading out into the vast, unknown territories after the Louisiana Purchase.
Fun Fact #1: Amazon’s Eero routers are named after Saarinen. He’s also responsible for designing other iconic structures, including the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport, Dulles International Airport and Weaver’s Elementary School in Chicago.
Before the arch, this area was filled with warehouses and industrial buildings, but that changed when 40 blocks and 486 buildings were cleared to make way for the monument.
Fun Fact #2: It’s not only the tallest monument in the U.S., but also the tallest arch in the world!
What to See and Do at Gateway Arch National Park
One of the highlights of visiting Gateway Arch National Park is the tram ride to the top. While we’ve never taken the tram ourselves, we’ve heard that from the observation area, you can see up to 30 miles on a clear day!
Take a quick look before you go! The Gateway Arch’s live webcam lets you see the current view.
The tram to the top can be busy, but you can also purchase tickets in advance. Prices vary depending on the date of your visit:
- Adults: $15 – $19
- Child (3-15): $11 – $15
- Infant (2 and Under): Free
- America the Beautiful Pass: $12 – $16
The tram ride itself lasts about four minutes, but the entire experience, including security checks, can take around 45 to 60 minutes. Just a heads up: strollers and wheelchairs are not allowed on the tram.
Beneath the Arch, you’ll find a museum and visitor center that are worth exploring. The museum is open from 9am to 6pm, extending to 8pm during the summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day). There’s also a theater showing a 30-minute documentary on the Arch’s construction, which plays every hour from 10am to 7pm. Tickets can be purchased ahead of your visit directly from The Gateway Arch website.
If you’ve been waiting to visit the Old Courthouse, it’s finally open again following major renovations tied to the $380-million CityArchRiver project.
Upcoming Events to Catch! Winterfest takes place November 21st until January 3rd and the Winterfest 5K is on November 21st.
What to Wear When Visiting Gateway Arch National Park
Honestly, all you need are comfortable shoes and clothes. Gateway Arch isn’t your typical National Park with lots of outdoor activities and hiking adventures.
It’s located in the heart of a city and, while there are paved walking paths throughout the park, you won’t be hiking through nature like in more traditional parks. This is more of an urban experience.
Where to Park at Gateway Arch National Park
We parked along the Mississippi River, where there’s a lot with plenty of spaces available. During both of our visits to Gateway Arch National Park, parking has been easy and straightforward. There is a small parking fee, but the wait time to enter the lot was short.
This location is also great for meeting up with people, as it’s a convenient spot for anyone heading to the arch. To get to the Riverfront parking entrance, enter via Chouteau Avenue, although the amount of parking and access could vary depending on the Mississippi River’s current level.
Parking costs $10 for up to five hours, and you can pre-purchase your spot through iParkit.
While there are other parking options throughout downtown St. Louis, some may require a longer walk to reach the arch. For more details, you can check the parking map here.
Why Gateway Arch Is Considered a National Park
On February 22nd, 2018, Gateway Arch officially became a National Park, a change that sparked considerable debate. Unlike many other national parks that are known for their natural landscapes and recreational activities, Gateway Arch is primarily a site of historical significance.
Originally, this area was filled with warehouses and industrial buildings consisting of 40 blocks and 486 structures which were demolished to make way for the monument. Critics argue that its designation as a National Park is questionable and suggest that it might have been better suited for a different National Park Service (NPS) classification.
Some believe the shift to National Park status was primarily aimed at boosting tourism. Before this change, the site was recognized as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, a National Monument established by secretarial order on December 21nd, 1935, to commemorate the Louisiana Purchase.
While I do agree that Gateway Arch holds historical significance, I don’t think it fits the traditional criteria of a National Park that emphasizes natural landscapes, wildlife and outdoor activities.
Things to Do Near Gateway Arch in St. Louis
We primarily used St. Louis as a stopover during our road trips. On our first visit, we were just looking for a place to sleep for the night in downtown St. Louis. The second time, we met up with my parents so our dogs could spend some time with their grandparents as we drove to Washington state. Our activities around the arch mainly included taking pictures and walking on the grass.
Since the park is right along the Mississippi River, you can also enjoy the riverfront and even take a riverboat tour. There are plenty of other activities to explore in St. Louis, including visiting the St. Louis City Museum, Art Museum, Botanical Garden, Cathedral Basilica or catching a game at Busch Stadium.
If you’re interested in history, you can visit the Old Courthouse, where the landmark Dred Scott case was heard, leading to the freedom of enslaved people.
There are also several parks to explore in the St. Louis area, such as Forest Park, Katy Trail State Park, Castlewood State Park and Route 66 State Park.
Where to Stay Near Gateway Arch National Park
If you’re looking for a place to stay in St. Louis, there are quite a few hotels near the Gateway Arch that give you convenient access to the park and attractions downtown.
Is Gateway Arch National Park Worth Visiting?
Our visits to Gateway Arch National Park didn’t quite give us the typical National Park adventure we usually look for. Sure, it lacks the natural beauty we love, but the arch’s historical significance and the unique urban setting might just be the perfect pit stop for you (just as it was for us!).
Have you visited the Gateway Arch before? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
Leave a Reply