Getting Around Gateway Arch: Access, Parking, and Transportation in St. Louis

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch is a 0.14-square-mile national park on the banks of the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown St. Louis. You won't find a 50-mile scenic drive or a mandatory shuttle that requires booking months ahead here. The Arch sits steps from downtown hotels, and you can walk across the entire site in just a few minutes. The short version: you can reach the park by car (paid parking in nearby garages), MetroLink light rail, or on foot from downtown. Once you're there, everything is within walking distance.

How to Get to Gateway Arch

For transportation options from St. Louis Lambert International Airport and the region's major cities, the Gateway Arch access guide brings all the connections together.

Park Entrances and Which One to Choose

Gateway Arch has no paid entrance gate. You can freely access the lawns and walkways from several sides year-round. Two main entrances are worth knowing.

West side, Luther Ely Smith Square: This is the most popular entrance, facing historic St. Louis. It leads directly to the Visitor Center and the Museum at the Gateway Arch, both beneath the Arch, as well as the tram entrance for the ride to the top. A timed entry reservation is required.

East side, Mississippi Riverfront: The lawns slope down to the riverfront via Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard. This is the ideal angle for photographing the entire Arch with the Mississippi River in the foreground.

Old Courthouse, the historic building associated with the park, is about 0.4 miles west on Market Street. You can easily combine both sites on a half-day walking visit.

Getting Around the Park

On Foot

This is the only truly practical way to get around the site. The lawns run along the Mississippi River for about 0.6 miles, with a depth of 650 to 1,000 feet. It takes four to five minutes at an easy pace to walk from the main entrance to the riverfront. Comfortable street shoes are all you need.

By Public Transportation

MetroLink serves the area efficiently. 8th & Pine station is closest to the west entrance, about a 10-minute walk away. Convention Center station is a convenient alternative if you're coming from the north side of the city. MetroBus routes run along Market Street and Broadway. Metro Transit STL's online trip planner is reliable for planning connections.

By Bike

Riverfront Trail follows the Mississippi River and crosses the park, connecting the Arch with other waterfront spots toward Laclede's Landing to the north. St. Louis has a bike-share network. Check availability when you visit, since bike-sharing options change regularly. By bike, you can easily reach nearby neighborhoods from the Arch in less than 10 minutes.

Where to Park: Garages and Street Parking

The park doesn't operate its own parking lot. You'll need to park in private or municipal garages nearby.

The Gateway Arch Foundation parking garage (archpark.org) is the option most often recommended to park visitors. It's well marked and just a few minutes' walk from the main entrance.

Downtown garages in the Laclede's Landing and America's Center areas sometimes offer lower rates outside rush hours and event days. The SpotHero and ParkWhiz apps let you compare prices and reserve a space ahead of time, which saves you from driving around the block.

Arrive before 10 a.m. in summer. Nearby parking garages fill up by midmorning on weekends and holidays, especially during the busy season, from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Our When to Visit page explains the high- and low-season conditions in detail.

Street parking: It's available around the park, subject to time limits, generally two hours, and parking meters. It's not a good fit if you plan to spend more than half a day here.

For current parking rates, check archpark.org directly. Rates vary by season and local events.

Distances and Travel Times Between Points of Interest

The site is so compact that you measure its “internal distances” in minutes.

To plan the order of your visit and decide which areas to combine, our Itinerary & Timing page offers a structured plan based on the time you have.

Special Cases: Accessibility, Pets, and RVs

Accessibility: The Museum at the Gateway Arch and Visitor Center are fully accessible, with elevators and wide walkways. The tram ride inside the Arch takes place in small capsules with seated positions and a specific posture. If you have mobility or size constraints, check with the park before your visit.

Pets: Leashed dogs are allowed on the lawns and outdoor walkways. They're not allowed in the museum, Visitor Center, or tram.

RVs: The park has no campground or parking area for oversized vehicles on site because the surrounding urban area is densely developed. Our RV guide lists options around St. Louis. Before taking an RV into a covered garage, always check the clearance height. It's often limited to 6 feet 11 inches or 7 feet 10 inches.

Practical Transportation Information

Cell service: Full 4G/5G coverage is available throughout the site. You're right in downtown St. Louis, so there's no dead zone to worry about.

Fuel: Gas stations are available a few blocks from the park. Unlike the large, isolated parks of the Mountain West, you don't need to fill up before you arrive.

Useful apps:

• NPS App (the official national parks app): an interactive site map, hours, and real-time alerts.
• Metro Transit STL: Plan MetroLink and MetroBus trips from your starting point.
• SpotHero / ParkWhiz: Compare parking prices and reserve a space ahead of time.

A note about entrance fees: Access to the lawns and outdoor areas is free. The tram ride to the top of the Arch costs extra and requires a timed entry reservation. Our Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees and passes.

Frequently Asked Questions