Do you know what the smallest National Park is?
Chantelle KincyThe United States has 63 National Parks, and each one is special in its own way. But did you know that the smallest National Park is only 91 acres?
The smallest National Park may surprise you because it is not a “traditional” park-like Mount Rainier or Joshua Tree.
Instead of towering mountains, or sprawling meadows teeming with wildlife, the smallest US National Park is right in the middle of a city! Instead of numerous hiking trails in wide open spaces, this park is an iconic feature. Have you guessed it yet?
What is the smallest national park in the US?
The smallest US National Park is Gateway Arch National Park in St Louis Missouri. Gateway Arch is 91 acres and consists of the Gateway Arch and grounds (about 62 acres), plus another 30 acres or so encompassing the Old Courthouse, Luther Ely Smith Square, Gateway Arch is an iconic American symbol and was built as a monument to westward expansion.
How Tall is the Gateway Arch?
The Arch is 630 feet tall. It is also 630 feet from leg to leg at ground level.
How did Gateway Arch become a National Park?
The Gateway Arch is a monument to the mid-nineteenth-century westward migration of the United States.
The park is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott, who sued for his freedom at the Old Courthouse.
The US government had been planning to build a monument in St Louis since the 1930s, but it wasn’t until 1965 that Congress finally approved the construction of the Gateway Arch.
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that the area along the St. Louis riverfront should be turned into a monument.
The City of St. Louis transferred the Old Courthouse to the National Park Service while construction was taking place so that it could become part of the Memorial.
In 1948, a design competition was held to determine the shape of the Memorial, and construction on architect Eero Saarinen’s stainless steel arch design began in 1963.
The Gateway Arch was finished in 1965 and has become a national symbol of both architectural design and American identity.
The original name of the monument was the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. In 2018 a bill was signed to officially name it Gateway Arch (since that’s what the public called it) and to make it an official National Park.
How big is Gateway Arch National Park compared to other National Parks?
Gateway Arch National Park is only 0.14 square miles, making it much smaller than other national parks. For comparison, Rocky Mountain National Park is 415 square miles, and Olympic National Park is nearly 1,442 square miles.
What can you do at Gateway Arch National Park?
There is plenty to do at Gateway Arch National Park! The main attraction is, of course, the Gateway Arch.
⭐️Visitors can ride a tram to the top of the Arch for amazing views of the city.
There are a total of 16 tram cars, or “pods”, each holding up to five seated persons. There is an equal number of pod cars on the north and south side 8 apiece.
Riders look out a tiny window for a view of the Arch interior while making the 4-minute ascent. To keep visitors in an upright posture, the car will gently pivot throughout the trip.
The observation area at the top of the tram features 16 windows with views of the Mississippi River and Illinois communities to the east and 16 windows facing west toward downtown St. Louis.
Visitors stay in the observation area for about 10 minutes (one full tram cycle). After enjoying the stunning views from atop the tram, visitors will return to ground level in the same car they rode up in.
Note: You’ll need reservations and a ticket to ride the tram, you can do that by visiting The Gateway Arch website.
You can watch the live cam to see the current views from the top in both directions by clicking here.
⭐️The museum at the Gateway Arch is a free museum located underneath the Gateway Arch in St. Louis that highlights the city’s importance in United States history.
⭐️The Old Courthouse is also a popular destination. This building was where Dred Scott sued for his freedom in 1846-1847. The courthouse also served as the federal court for the Western District of Missouri.
⭐️Take a walk along the historic St. Louis Riverfront Trail.
⭐️Explore the Garden Take a walk down the Explorer’s Garden path, located in the North Gateway of the park. You’ll find plants that were utilized by Native Americans and documented in Lewis and Clark’s expedition diaries as they journeyed west in the Garden.
⭐️Reflect and Relax Visit the reflection ponds to the north and south of the Arch.
⭐️Grand Staircase Move your body and get your heart pumping by walking up the Grand Staircase or moving up the ramps. Your reward at the top is a breathtaking view of the tallest monument in the nation and the mighty Mississippi River.
⭐️Visitor Center Be sure and stop here to get your passport stamped Jr Ranger program details, and information on the park.
⭐️Take a Riverboat Ride for excellent views of St Louis.
How do you get to Gateway Arch National Park?
Gateway Arch National Park is located in St. Louis Missouri.
You can get to Gateway Arch National Park by driving your own car, walking from nearby hotels, taking a bus tour, or riding the metro.
The closest airport to Gateway Arch National Park is STL, which is 15 miles away.
What are the admission fees to Gateway Arch National Park?
Park visitors 16 and up who buy tram or movie tickets pay a $3.00 NPS entrance fee as part of their tram or movie ticket price. If you have the America The Beautiful Pass, you do not have to pay the $3.00.
The Museum Under the Gateway Arch is always free for all visitors and does not require a ticket or an entry fee
What are the hours of Gateway Arch National Park?
The park grounds are open from 5:00 am–11:00 pm year-round.
The museum is open from 9:00 am–6:00 pm during the winter and 9:00 am–8:00 pm during the (summer, Memorial Day – Labor Day)*
The Arch Store closes about 15 minutes before the museum closes.
The Arch Cafe is open from 9 to 4 during the winter and 9 to 6 during the summer.
**The courthouse is temporarily closed for renovations.
Is Gateway Arch National Park wheelchair accessible?
The top of the Arch is not accessible, but the rest of the park is.
Are pets allowed inside the park?
Pets are allowed in all the outdoor areas of the park, but only service animals can go inside buildings. Dogs may not swim in the reflecting pools. Pets should be leashed and supervised at all times.
Are there any restaurants or hotels near the park?
There are many fun and delicious restaurants located close to Gateway Arch National Park. Here are a few of our favorites.
Arch Cafe – this cafe and restaurant, features farm-to-table food made from fresh, organic produce.
Carmines Steak House– Local cuisine, Seafood, American, Steakhouse, Vegetarian Friendly
Brewhouse Historical Sports Bar– American, Bar, Pub
Sugar Fire Smokehouse– Local cuisine, American, Barbecue, Gluten Free Options
Since the hotel is in downtown St. Louis there are many options for hotels.
👇🏻👇🏻Click Below to find the perfect hotel near Gateway Arch.
Booking.comOther Frequently Asked Questions about the Smallest National Park
Which is the smallest and largest national park?
Of the 63 US National Parks, the smallest is Gateway Arch National Park and the largest is Wrangel-St Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Wrangel St Elias is 13.2 million acres, compared to the Gateway Arch is 91 acres!
What are the 5 smallest national parks?
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Hot Springs National Park
- National Park of American Samoa
- Virgin Islands National Park
- Congaree National Park
Which is the least-visited US National Park?
- The least visited US National Parks include quite a few Alaska National Parks ( Denali National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Wrangell-St Elias National Park)
- Also, North Cascades National Park, American Samoa National Park, Isle Royale, and Dry Tortugas National Park.
The Smallest US National Park Conclusion
Gateway Arch National Park is the smallest national park in the United States, but don’t let its size deceive you. This 91-acre park offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy, including a riverboat ride, a tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, and a museum.
There are also restaurants and hotels located close by, making it easy to visit this popular St. Louis attraction. If you have any questions about the park or its amenities, be sure to check out the FAQ section on the park’s website.
