Gateway Arch by RV: Campgrounds, Rules, and Tips

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

Gateway Arch doesn't have a campground. It's a fully urban national park in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, covering about 0.14 square miles. Visiting by RV is entirely doable, provided you handle the logistics ahead of time. The short answer is yes, you can explore the park by RV, but you'll sleep outside it at campgrounds throughout the greater St. Louis area, 15 to 90 minutes from the Arch.

Can You Drive and Camp at Gateway Arch by RV?

You can drive there, but you can't spend the night. The park has no RV sites, dispersed camping areas, hookups, or service areas. Gateway Arch is one of the few U.S. national parks without any kind of camping infrastructure.

The park is open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. In summer, from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, hours run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The rest of the year, the park closes at 6 p.m. Admission to the park and museum is free. The Tram Ride to the Top costs $19 per adult, and a timed entry reservation is required.

The visit itself takes 2 to 4 hours. You don't need the RV while you're at the park. It serves as your base in the evening and overnight.

RV Restrictions and Parking

St. Louis is a major city with 2.8 million people in its metropolitan area, and downtown St. Louis is dense. Downtown parking garages often have clearance of around 6.9 feet, which rules them out for Class A motorhomes and most Class C motorhomes.

Here are a few rules to keep in mind:

• Parking garages are off-limits to large rigs. A converted van without a raised roof will usually fit. A 30-to-36-foot Class A won't.
• Surface parking lots south and east of the monument are more forgiving when it comes to vehicle size. Check the posted clearance at the entrance.
• The NPS prohibits parking outside designated areas. Don't park the RV on the park's lawns or pedestrian walkways.
• There is no official length restriction on roads leading to the park, unlike at Zion or Great Smoky Mountains. Still, maneuvering a 36-foot rig through an urban street grid can be tricky.

Our practical advice is to park the RV at the campground the night before, then head to the Arch in the morning by MetroLink (Red Line, downtown stop) or Uber. You'll save time and a lot of stress.

Official Park Campgrounds

There aren't any. Gateway Arch National Park has no NPS campground, no site with or without hookups, and no organized camping area. It's a defining feature of this park, so factor it in when you plan your itinerary.

To sleep in your RV, you'll need to leave the park and look to campgrounds in the greater St. Louis area and neighboring Illinois.

Campgrounds Near Gateway Arch

Cahokia RV Parque (Madison, Illinois)

About 9 miles from the Arch, just across the Mississippi River, this campground is the most convenient base for RV travelers. It welcomes large vehicles and offers full-hookup sites with electricity, water, and sewer. You can reach downtown by car over the bridge or via MetroLink from the Illinois side.

Missouri State Park Campgrounds

Several Missouri state parks offer RV sites within two hours of St. Louis. Meramec State Park, southwest of the city, has sites with electric hookups in a natural setting along the Meramec River. It's a good option if you're combining a visit to the Arch with time in the Ozarks. Babler State Park, west of the city, is a better fit for vans or small self-contained RVs. It has few hookups but a pleasant wooded setting.

Private Campgrounds and RV Franchises

Several KOA franchises and private campgrounds operate in the St. Louis suburbs, especially around Fenton and St. Peters. They accommodate large rigs, generally offer all the basic amenities (Wi-Fi, laundry, and a seasonal pool), and accept short-term reservations.

Boondocking and Dispersed Camping Around Gateway Arch

Boondocking isn't a realistic option in the immediate St. Louis area. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) doesn't manage any land in this urbanized region. The best opportunities for free camping on federal land are several hours away, in the Missouri Ozarks or toward northern Arkansas.

If you want to combine Gateway Arch with boondocking on the same road trip, our Regions section offers an overview of options around St. Louis.

Dump Stations, Water, and Services

There is no dump station in the park and no RV service within Gateway Arch's boundaries. The most accessible options from the area are:

• The RV campgrounds mentioned above all have dump stations for their guests.
• Flying J and Pilot Travel Centers: several truck stops line the area's major highways (I-44, I-55, I-70, and I-270). Dumping is often free with a fuel purchase.
• Sanidumps.com helps you locate the nearest dump station based on your location before you head downtown.

Which Campground Is Right for You?

You're traveling with family and want maximum convenience. Cahokia RV Parque in Illinois is the obvious choice. It has full hookups, is 9 miles from the Arch, and offers access to public transportation. It's ideal for a two- or three-night base.

You prefer nature to the city. A state park in the Ozarks, such as Meramec, combines quiet evenings with a daytime trip to St. Louis. Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours of driving each way, but the setting makes up for it.

You're traveling in a van or self-contained camper. Babler State Park, west of the city, offers an affordable alternative on the edge of the forest without requiring hookups.

You're including Gateway Arch in a Route 66 road trip. The Arch is a natural stop on Route 66 between Chicago and the American West. Several campgrounds along the historic route make it easy to spend a night before or after St. Louis.

To choose the best time based on the weather, see our When to Visit Gateway Arch page.

Renting an RV to Visit Gateway Arch

Renting a camper in the United States from France is the most flexible way to combine Gateway Arch with a road trip through the Midwest or along Route 66.

Here are a few things to know:

• Picking up in St. Louis. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) has rental locations for several companies, including Cruise America and El Monte RV, as well as peer-to-peer platforms such as RVShare and Outdoorsy. Check availability 6 to 8 weeks ahead during the high season (June through August).
• Vehicle type. A 23-to-26-foot Class C is enough for most regional trips. Check the vehicle's height if you plan to go through restricted tunnels on your route.
• Budget. Rates vary widely by season, rig type, and platform. Our Gateway Arch lodging guide breaks down price ranges and lodging options overall.

RVs, Pets, Budget, and Reservations: What to Know

Pets. Dogs are allowed in the park's outdoor areas on a leash. They can't ride the tram or enter the museum. The RV gives them a comfortable place to stay while you visit.

Site budget. Expect to pay $30 to $55 per night for a full-hookup site at private campgrounds in the area, and $15 to $25 for a basic site in Missouri state parks. Admission to the park is free. A Tram Ride to the Top ticket costs $19 per adult.

Reservations. Timed tickets for the tram can be booked on the official NPS website. In summer, morning time slots fill up quickly, sometimes several days ahead. Recreation.gov handles online reservations for Missouri state park campgrounds.

Season. April through May and September through October are the ideal windows for an RV visit, with average daily temperatures of 57°F to 66°F and moderate crowds. July is the hottest month, with average temperatures around 79°F to 81°F, and the busiest. Our Gateway Arch Weather page provides month-by-month details.

In Summary: Our RV Plan for Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch is easy to visit by RV as long as you keep one simple fact in mind: you'll sleep outside the park, not in it. Here's our usual plan for an efficient visit:

1. Arrive the day before at Cahokia RV Parque in Illinois, then set up and take care of any services.
2. On your visit day: take MetroLink or drive downtown, use your reserved tram time, and spend 3 to 4 hours at the park.
3. Return to the site in the late afternoon to dump and refill your water.
4. Continue the road trip: take Route 66 west, or head for the Ozarks for a few days in nature.

For an overview of the visit, our complete Gateway Arch guide is the best place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions