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Gateway Arch National Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 15,644 Google reviews · Running trail in St. Louis, Missouri · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Gateway Arch National Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicTrailhead parkingQuiet

Park honoring Jefferson's role in western expansion, featuring the Gateway Arch & visitors' center.

What runners say about Gateway Arch National Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (15,644 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“The grounds are clean, peaceful, and perfect for walking or relaxing, and the museum below the Arch is surprisingly engaging and well done.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“The Arch itself is stunning up close and even more impressive once you go to the top.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“The grounds are clean, peaceful, and perfect for walking or relaxing, and the museum below the Arch is surprisingly engaging and well done.”

Iconic, inspiring, and absolutely worth the visit! Gateway Arch National Park is a must-see in St. Louis. The Arch itself is stunning up close and even more impressive once you go to the top. The tram ride is a fun experience, and the views of the city and Mississippi River are unreal.

★★★★★ — Shaluka , Jan 2026

Visited Gateway Arch National Park and it was such a great experience! The Arch itself is absolutely stunning in person — way more impressive than photos. The park area is clean, spacious, and perfect for walking around or just relaxing with a nice view of the Mississippi River.

★★★★★ — Monica , Apr 2026

Visiting Gateway Arch National Park was a really nice experience. The park was clean, peaceful, and easy to walk around. Seeing the Arch up close felt more impressive than I expected, especially with how it stands out against the skyline and the river.

★★★★★ — Greater , May 2026

This is one of my favorite places to visit. Not only is it beautiful from the ground but the trip to the top is worth it. The view from the top of the arch is breathtaking! There's also a museum, cafe, and gift shop inside. Walking down to the Mississippi is a must also and you can see the historic Eads Bridge.

★★★★★ — Soojin , Mar 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 15,644 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 18 mentions

“The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking—you can see the Mississippi River and the entire city of St.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“We had a great time while visiting this national park, the parking is a little tricky at first but if you look up parking it will put you pretty close to the park.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“The grounds are clean, peaceful, and perfect for walking or relaxing, and the museum below the Arch is surprisingly engaging and well done.”

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Plan your run at Gateway Arch National Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitenps.gov
  • Phone+1 314-655-1600
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 am–11 pm
Tuesday 5 am–11 pm
Wednesday 5 am–11 pm
Thursday 5 am–11 pm
Friday 5 am–11 pm
Saturday 5 am–11 pm
Sunday 5 am–11 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Gateway Arch National Park

St. Louis, Missouri

Get directions

Running trails near St. Louis

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park

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Scenic

Open green space with a tiered river overlook & panoramic views, plus a geyser fountain.

under a mile away

Mississippi Greenway

3.9 ★★★★☆ 20 reviews

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under a mile away

Riverfront Trail

4.1 ★★★★☆ 118 reviews

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Scenic

Peaceful nature trail, featuring a bridge, that cuts through an industrial area and a park.

under a mile away

Rootwad Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 147 reviews

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under a mile away

Lafayette Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,586 reviews

St. Louis, MO

Scenic

30-acre city park, circa 1851, with a lake & historic elements like cannons & an 1867 house.

1.7 miles away

Jones Park

4 ★★★★☆ 342 reviews

East St Louis, IL

Dog-friendly

Relaxed park featuring a fishing lake, as well as a playground and basketball courts.

3.7 miles away

All running trails in St. Louis, MO →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.