Gateway Arch National Park is a National Park in Missouri. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 10 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Gateway Arch
We matched 10 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Gateway Arch. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Waterfalls (1)
Natural Arches (1)
Lakes (1)
Ghost Towns (1)
Botanical Gardens (2)
State Parks (4)
State Park
State Park
State Park
State ParkSunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Gateway Arch the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 59° (ENE) at the June solstice and 120° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 302° (WNW) in June to 240° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 75° in summer but only 28° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:18 AM | 7:58 AM | 4:23 PM | 5:04 PM | 243° | 9h 46m |
| February | 6:53 AM | 7:30 AM | 5:02 PM | 5:39 PM | 255° | 10h 46m |
| March | 7:13 AM | 7:48 AM | 6:33 PM | 7:08 PM | 268° | 11h 55m |
| April | 6:25 AM | 7:01 AM | 7:02 PM | 7:37 PM | 283° | 13h 12m |
| May | 5:50 AM | 6:28 AM | 7:28 PM | 8:06 PM | 295° | 14h 16m |
| June | 5:37 AM | 6:16 AM | 7:48 PM | 8:28 PM | 301° | 14h 51m |
| July | 5:49 AM | 6:28 AM | 7:47 PM | 8:26 PM | 299° | 14h 37m |
| August | 6:16 AM | 6:52 AM | 7:20 PM | 7:57 PM | 289° | 13h 41m |
| September | 6:43 AM | 7:18 AM | 6:36 PM | 7:11 PM | 275° | 12h 28m |
| October | 7:10 AM | 7:46 AM | 5:48 PM | 6:24 PM | 260° | 11h 13m |
| November | 6:44 AM | 7:23 AM | 4:10 PM | 4:49 PM | 247° | 10h 05m |
| December | 7:12 AM | 7:54 AM | 4:00 PM | 4:41 PM | 241° | 9h 29m |
Computed for the park's reference point (38.6258, -90.1893); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Gateway Arch, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 5.2 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 22° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 8 (city sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 5:08 AM – 5:18 AM | 0.2 | 12° |
| March | 4:17 AM – 5:37 AM | 1.3 | 19° |
| April | 2:13 AM – 4:43 AM | 2.5 | 22° |
| May | 12:14 AM – 3:54 AM | 3.7 | 22° |
| June | 10:26 PM – 3:36 AM | 5.2 | 22° |
| July | 10:19 PM – 2:09 AM | 3.8 | 22° |
| August | 9:36 PM – 12:06 AM | 2.5 | 22° |
| September | 8:41 PM – 10:01 PM | 1.3 | 19° |
| October | 7:52 PM – 8:12 PM | 0.3 | 12° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
8 Estimated Bortle 8 — City sky. Only bright constellations are visible; the sky glows orange or white.
Weather & best time to visit
Normal Daily Mean Temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit)* January - 29.3 February - 33.9 March - 45.1 April - 56.7 May - 66.1 June - 75.4 July - 79.8 August - 77.6 September - 70.2 October - 58.4 November - 46.2 December - 33.9 Average Percent of Days with Sunshine* January - 50% February - 52% March - 54% April - 56% May - 59% June - 66% July - 68% August - 65% September - 63% October - 60% November - 46% December - 53% *Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 42% average cloud cover) and February as the cloudiest (65%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
| Entrance fee | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Timed Entry Reservation - Location | $19.00 |
Fees as published by the NPS when this page was built — confirm on nps.gov before you go.
Getting there
For directions click on the provided link
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Food
- Dining
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Boat Tour
- Junior Ranger Program
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Nearby parks
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