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Gateway Arch National Park: reservations, fees, camping and weather
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri: what you need to book, what it costs, and when the weather is mildest. Checked November 2026.
Do you need a reservation to enter?
Tram rides to the top use timed tickets; reserve ahead on Recreation.gov.
Fees and passes
No fee to visit the museum and visitor center. Tram tickets to the top start at $19 and vary by date.
Non-US residents can buy the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass ($250).
An America the Beautiful pass covers entrance at every national park. US citizens and residents get free entry on national park fee-free days.
Camping: how to book
There is no camping at Gateway Arch. Many Recreation.gov campgrounds open on a rolling window months ahead and sell out within minutes; if yours is full, set up a cancellation alert.
Official planning pages
The park's own pages for the things that change: conditions, closures, camping and permits.
Key dates
- Wed 11 Nov 2026 National parks fee-free day: Veterans Day Confirmed
- December 2026 · exact dates not announced 2027 national park fee-free days announced Expected
Weather by month
| Month | Camping weather | Avg high | Avg low | Precip. | Snow | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor · 12 | 40°F | 24°F | 2.5 in | – | 9 h 42 m |
| February | Poor · 36 | 46°F | 28°F | 2.0 in | – | 10 h 40 m |
| March | Good · 78 | 56°F | 36°F | 3.3 in | – | 11 h 49 m |
| April | Great · 88 | 68°F | 46°F | 4.5 in | – | 13 h 07 m |
| May | Great · 85 | 77°F | 56°F | 4.8 in | – | 14 h 13 m |
| June | Good · 74 | 86°F | 65°F | 4.4 in | – | 14 h 48 m |
| July | Good · 66 | 89°F | 69°F | 3.7 in | – | 14 h 34 m |
| August | Good · 71 | 88°F | 66°F | 3.7 in | – | 13 h 37 m |
| September | Great · 97 | 81°F | 57°F | 3.4 in | – | 12 h 21 m |
| October | Great · 99 | 69°F | 46°F | 3.1 in | – | 11 h 05 m |
| November | Good · 74 | 55°F | 36°F | 3.3 in | – | 9 h 58 m |
| December | Poor · 33 | 44°F | 29°F | 2.3 in | – | 9 h 26 m |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Cahokia St. Louis AP, IL weather station (413 ft). Higher trails are colder; temperatures usually drop about 3–5°F per 1,000 ft. "Camping weather" is our simple score: best with highs of 62–82°F, nights above freezing and under 3 in of precipitation. It rates weather only, not road closures, snow on trails or crowds. Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th. About NOAA normals ↗
Questions
Do I need a reservation to enter Gateway Arch National Park?
Tram rides to the top use timed tickets; reserve ahead on Recreation.gov.
How much does it cost to enter Gateway Arch?
No fee to visit the museum and visitor center. Tram tickets to the top start at $19 and vary by date. Non-US residents can buy the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass ($250).
When is the weather mildest at Gateway Arch?
Using NOAA averages at the park's weather station, average highs are between 60°F and 85°F in April to May, September to October. July is warmest (about 89°F) and January has the coldest nights (about 24°F).
Sources: Gateway Arch fees and passes (nps.gov), NOAA station data. Rules change; always check the official park site before you go.
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