Best Time to Visit Gateway Arch National Park
The best months to visit Gateway Arch National Park are April, September and October — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (476,195 monthly visits); January is quietest at 11% of peak.
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Gateway Arch month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 51,776 | 11% | 40°F / 24°F | 2.5″ | 9.8h |
| February | Shoulder | 61,817 | 13% | 46°F / 28°F | 2.0″ | 10.8h |
| March | Shoulder | 166,103 | 35% | 56°F / 36°F | 3.3″ | 11.9h |
| April | Best window | 150,887 | 32% | 68°F / 46°F | 4.5″ | 13.2h |
| May | Shoulder | 170,789 | 36% | 77°F / 57°F | 4.8″ | 14.3h |
| June | Shoulder | 234,103 | 49% | 86°F / 65°F | 4.4″ | 14.9h |
| July | Peak crowds | 476,195 | 100% | 89°F / 69°F | 3.7″ | 14.6h |
| August | Shoulder | 217,260 | 46% | 88°F / 66°F | 3.7″ | 13.7h |
| September | Best window | 139,931 | 29% | 81°F / 57°F | 3.4″ | 12.5h |
| October | Best window | 125,733 | 26% | 69°F / 46°F | 3.1″ | 11.2h |
| November | Shoulder | 104,145 | 22% | 55°F / 36°F | 3.3″ | 10.1h |
| December | Shoulder | 93,014 | 20% | 44°F / 29°F | 2.3″ | 9.5h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CAHOKIA ST LOUIS AP, IL US (4 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Gateway Arch each year
Gateway Arch National Park had 2,209,028 recreation visits in 2025, 14% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2024, with 2,563,052. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,991,753 visits a year, which makes it the 16th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,209,028 | −14% |
| 2024 | 2,563,052 | +6% |
| 2023 | 2,422,836 | +50% |
| 2022 | 1,618,774 | +41% |
| 2021 | 1,145,081 | +136% |
| 2020 | 486,021 | −76% |
| 2019 | 2,055,309 | +2% |
| 2018 | 2,016,180 | +44% |
| 2017 | 1,398,188 | +10% |
| 2016 | 1,271,855 | −25% |
| 2015 | 1,698,656 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Gateway Arch in April
Computed from April's weather normals — Gateway Arch's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Rain shell + pack cover — 4.5″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 4.5″ of rain is normal this month
As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches or to a specific product — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.
Packing for a trip with a date on it? Amazon Prime includes fast delivery on eligible items, and eligible new members may be offered a free trial, so gear ordered this week can arrive before you leave. Delivery speed varies by item and address. See if you can try Prime free →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups, at no extra cost to you. Current terms are on Amazon's page.
Common questions
What is the best month to visit Gateway Arch?
April, September and October rank best for Gateway Arch on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Gateway Arch?
July: an average of 476,195 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is January, at 11% of the July peak.
When is Gateway Arch least crowded with decent conditions?
January. It is the park's quietest month (11% of the July peak, 51,776 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Gateway Arch per year?
Gateway Arch National Park had 2,209,028 recreation visits in 2025, 14% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2024, with 2,563,052. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,991,753 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Gateway Arch through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 89°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 24°F. The wettest month is May, with 4.8″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CAHOKIA ST LOUIS AP, IL US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Gateway Arch ranks against all 63 parks in April, September and October.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks