Gateway Arch National Park is located in Saint Louis, Missouri just along the bank of the Mississippi River. This urban national park protects some really important historic sites along with the amazing manmade feat in the Gateway Arch. It’s the only national park in Missouri and while I don’t think it’s the best reflection of the natural beauty in our state (I’m a Missourian for those reading this who don’t know) it is the national park that we have.
Okay, This Might Be an Unpopular Opinion, but It Shouldn’t Be A National Park
I know that this is hot take to put as the very first thing to know before visiting a particular national park. But it’s true. While there is a green space in this park, that green space i just that – a park. I feel that it would’ve been better classified as a national monument for multiple reasons. Turns out a local senator really pushed for it seemingly for tourism dollars to come into the state – but in reality I think he could’ve found 25+ better natural sites to turn into a national park over the Saint Louis Arch. But I like for people to know it isn’t the average national park first thing when they start to plan their trip there.
There Are No Hiking Trails at Gateway Arch National Park
This is part of what makes me feel that this shouldn’t be a national park. (Have you gotten that I feel pretty strongly about this?) The groundskeepers and gardeners have made a stunning city park, so pack a picnic if you’re there on a pretty day, but don’t expect to hit a trail.
Semi-Pet Friendly
At Gateway Arch National Park none of the buildings allow pets, but you can bring your furry friend in the park around the giant Saint Louis Arch. However, please practice good pet-ownership. Don’t leave poop on the grounds and don’t have them off-leash.
This is A Free Park to Visit
It is free to enter the park and to even go into the museum sections. They do charge for the tram ride up to the top of the arch, but if you have an annual national park pass, though, you do get a slight discount. Speaking of the tram ride to the top of the arch…
You Can Take a Ride to the Top of the Arch – But Get a Ticket in Advance
This is one of the highlights of a trip. It’s been decades since I’ve gone up it, even though I just visited last year and have probably 5 other times in between. I would 100% booking a ticket in advance because when we arrived and planned to just grab a ticket it was a 4 hour wait until the next tram ticket was available for purchase. With two toddlers, that was just not feasible for us. Our next visit, though, we’ll know to purchase tickets in advance.
This Park Also Includes the Old Courthouse
The Old Saint Louis Courthouse is now a museum (although, it’s currently closed for renovations as of February 2025). This is the site of the famous Dread Scott case in which a slave and his wife (Dread and Harriet Scott) sued for their freedom and were initially granted it, but after many appeals, the Supreme Court ultimately shot that down saying that as property they didn’t have the right to sue and this is one of the things that accelerated the start of the Civil War. Another historic thing to happen here is that Virginia Minor went to register to vote and a lawsuit ensued for women to gain the right to vote.
Significance of This Spot for the Gateway Arch
I think this is something that a lot of people don’t actually know. When Thomas Jefferson bought the land to the west from France with the Louisiana Purchase everyone who attended a public school in the US knows that Lewis and Clark were sent to explore the West and they eventually made it to what is now Seaside, Oregon. But within a few miles of this spot (the location isn’t precisely known) Lewis and Clark set out on their treacherous, but ultimately successful expedition to discover the west. Hence being known as the Gateway to the West.
You Must Go Through Security
This feels strange to do in a national park, so I have to say that it was a little bit jarring. It’s sad that we live in a world that this is deemed necessary, but, alas, we do. But it’s nice to have the heads up. I will say, even on a beautiful Saturday in the middle of summer, security went pretty quickly!
Places In Missouri I Would Rather Visit As a National Park Lover
Now that I’ve crapped all over Missouri’s only national park, I want to let you know that it isn’t because this state doesn’t have absolutely stunning natural sites.
I think the most beautiful part of the state that I’ve explored thus far is run by the National Park Service, but it isn’t a national park: Ozarks National Scenic Riverways! This is an area where multiple rivers come together that are fed by spring after spring with rolling hills surrounding it. It’s a truly magical location.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a really stunning state park that has several intersecting trails that cover vastly different landscapes and sites: a natural bridge, a spring, a collapsed sinkhole, a lake and rolling hills. It’s my favorite state park.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is a really wonderful state park with several small cascades, big swimming holes and a couple hiking trails. Just be sure to watch your kiddos and even yourselves because there can be some surprisingly deep little pools. Also, be careful jumping in because some areas are shallower than they look.
I know this has been unlike any of my other Things to Know Before Visiting this National Park series, but I want to share truthful, transparent experiences on my blog, and this is how I truly feel about Gateway Arch National Park, but I hope that the information makes you feel provided for a visit here – and maybe down to the Ozarks to get a true taste of the natural beauty of the state of Missouri.
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