Gateway Arch Map: Layout, Areas, and Official Map Download

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

Gateway Arch rises in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, on the west bank of the Mississippi River. The Arch reaches 630 feet and is the national park in its entirety. There are no forest trails or remote sections here, just an extraordinary urban monument surrounded by lawns and an underground museum. To place the park at a glance, you're at the boundary between the Midwest and the Great West, where the Mississippi River separates Missouri from Illinois. The official NPS map (Unigrid PDF) is available as a free download at nps.gov. Our complete Gateway Arch guide gives you the full visit context.

Official NPS “Unigrid” map

The official park map handed out at entrance stations, with roads, areas, visitor centers and services. View it here or download it for offline use.

Download the map (PDF) Public domain · National Park Service

Where Is Gateway Arch?

Gateway Arch National Park occupies St. Louis's historic riverfront in the state of Missouri. The Mississippi River flows just a few yards to the east, with Illinois on the opposite bank. On a map of the United States, St. Louis sits about 292 miles south of Chicago, 193 miles east of Kansas City, and halfway between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. This pivotal location is exactly why the city served as the "Gateway to the West" in the 19th century, as the starting point for pioneer caravans crossing the river. To place the monument in its regional setting, our Midwest Region page offers the big picture.

Download the Official Gateway Arch Map (NPS Unigrid)

The National Park Service publishes a free Unigrid map as a PDF on nps.gov and hands it out at the Visitor Center. It shows:

• the exact boundary of the grounds around the Arch;
• the two tram entrances, at the north and south legs;
• the location of the Old Courthouse, about 1,300 feet northwest on Market Street;
• nearby parking garages and pedestrian routes from downtown.

Here's a practical tip: download it before you leave. Cell service in the underground museum is often poor.

Park Areas Shown on the Map

The park is compact. You can walk across it in about 20 minutes. The official map identifies three main areas.

The Grounds and the Gateway Arch

The lawns around the Arch's two legs are open to everyone, with no ticket required, year-round. The two entrance pavilions, north and south, provide access to the interior tram and the museum. This is the heart of the park and where all visitors meet up.

Museum at the Gateway Arch

Located beneath the grounds between the Arch's two legs, the museum traces three centuries of American expansion toward the Pacific. Admission is included with the $19 ticket, which also covers the tram ride. On the map, look for the labels "North Entrance" and "South Entrance" so you can choose your side based on how busy each entrance is.

The Old Courthouse

St. Louis's old courthouse, a few blocks west, has been part of the park since 2018. Admission is free. It tells, among other stories, the history of the Dred Scott trial. The Unigrid map marks it with its exact address. It's worth a visit if you've got an hour to spare.

Getting to the Park and Parking

Gateway Arch isn't a park you drive through. It's a pedestrian space in the middle of downtown. You can park in one of the city's covered garages, including several on Washington Avenue and Chestnut Street shown on the map. The easiest option is MetroLink, St. Louis's urban light rail system. Get off at Arch-Laclede's Landing station for direct access to the north entrance, without having to worry about Wednesday evening traffic. Our Access & Transportation page covers fares, travel times, and parking options.

Points of Interest to Find on the Map

For a complete itinerary with estimated times, our Gateway Arch activities guide takes it from here.

Nearest Cities and Airports

Gateway Arch is right in downtown St. Louis, so you're already in the city when you arrive. Our Access & Transportation page covers the airports and all your travel options.

Hiking Maps and Paper Trail Guides

Gateway Arch has no nature trails, so a hiking guidebook would be beside the point here. If you combine this stop with a road trip through Missouri or Illinois, AAA road maps for Missouri are still very practical. You can find them at local tourism offices.

Frequently Asked Questions