Alerts & Conditions

Park Closure

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the temporary closure of Gateway Arch National Park, which includes the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse, beginning Wednesday, March 18 until further notice due to the evolving COVID-19 health situation. The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is the park’s number one priority. NPS is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor this rapidly changing situation. When appropriate, Gateway Arch National Park will notify the public when it resumes full operations via traditional media, as well as online at nps.gov/jeff and gatewayarch.com and on social media (@GatewayArchNPS). Those who have pre-purchased Tram Ride to the Top and Documentary Movie tickets will receive full refunds. For questions regarding ticketing, please email [e-mail]. The Arch grounds remain open to provide the public healthy walking and biking options. When visiting a park, NPS urges the public to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick. Visitors can enjoy Gateway Arch National Park online by exploring online photo galleries at nps.gov/jeff and gatewayarch.com or by following the park’s social media channels.

 

Please Note: Visitors now enter the Arch through the west entrance, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are now exit only.

 

Outside Drinking Fountains on Gateway Arch Grounds Have Been Turned Off
The drinking fountains have been winterized to prevent freezing of the plumbing components. This is done around the first of Oct through the middle of May.

Please note that when the outside drinking fountains are on it may take some time for the water to make it's way to the fountain. This is because water is supplied from the nearest building on the Arch grounds and direct lines on the west side of Lenore K Sullivan and within Smith Square (the area between the Old Courthouse and the new West Entrance to the Arch Visitor Center). Due to the length of the run, the water has a distance to travel to reach the drinking fountains. This allows for Life Health Safety requirements so stagnant water isn't sitting in the line for long periods of time. When the fountains are active, you have to push the button for a few seconds to call for water. Please be patient the water will flow.

Inside Drinking Fountains Are Located : In the Old Courthouse- there are two drinking fountains in the West Hall, one has a bottle filling station. There are also drinking fountains available in the Arch Visitor Center, if you enter on the North door of the West Entrance, make an immediate left towards the restrooms you will also find drinking fountains on the right side of the hallway. You do not have to go through security at this point, and are welcome to utilize the facilities. There are additional drinking fountains located through out the Visitor Center after you pass through security.