Adventure Alongside National Park Service Park Rangers

Gateway Arch National Park offers a variety of programs and events led by National Park Service (NPS) rangers year-round. Rangers lead tours, conduct engaging programs, and curate special events throughout the park. All NPS programs are free of charge.

View Calendar

NPS Ranger Program Highlights

Experts on the significance of Gateway Arch National Park
NPS Junior Ranger Program
B.A.R.K. Ranger Program
Museum Tours Offered Daily
Seasonal programming and year round special events

NPS Ranger Programming

At Gateway Arch National Park, our NPS park rangers offer visitors expert insight into the Gateway Arch and the stories it holds below. From free daily talks to special events beneath one of America’s most visited monuments, our NPS programming gives you an in depth park experience. Explore some of the programs below!

Plan Your Visit

NPS Junior Ranger Program

Become a NPS Junior Ranger by completing a series of challenges and receive your NPS junior ranger badge! Jr. Ranger programming is offered at the Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse, and on the Riverboats when a ranger is on board.

B.A.R.K. Ranger Program

Gateway Arch National Park is for your furry friends, too! The program invites you and your dog to visit our 91 acre park grounds to learn about the principles of B.A.R.K. (Bag your waste and dispose of it properly, Always keep your dog on a leash, Respect other visitors and the park, Know where you can go with your dog.) *Only service animals are allowed inside the Gateway Arch facility and the Old Courthouse.

Special Events

From stargazing to special talks, our NPS Park Rangers host special events all year long! Visit our calendar to see what’s coming up next.

Visitor Center

Have a question? Our NPS Rangers are on staff at our information desk to answer all your Gateway Arch National Park questions and direct you to areas throughout the park. There is also always a NPS ranger at the top of the Gateway Arch during hours of operation.

NPS Programming FAQs

Before visiting the Gateway Arch National Park, here are a few of our commonly asked questions about our NPS Park Rangers and their programs:

You will find our NPS Park Rangers throughout the park. If they are in the middle of a tour, you may find them on our paved paths, inside our Museum, or outside the Old Courthouse. They also staff the Information Desk at the Visitor Center during operating hours and at the Top of the Gateway Arch to answer questions about your view from the top.
The NPS Junior Ranger program at Gateway Arch National Park is designed to help young visitors and those young at heart learn about the people, places, and events throughout more than 200 years of St. Louis’ history related to Gateway Arch National Park. Junior Ranger activities help connect visitors to the park’s resources and encourage them to become active stewards of our national parks. Learn more about the program on the NPS website.

Explore More Below the Gateway Arch

Ready to plan your day at Gateway Arch National Park? Discover all the activities you and your family can do below!

Mom with three teens in Gateway Arch tram

Tram Ride to the Top

Travel to the top of the Gateway Arch inside one of our trams.

Visit the Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch before putting in the last piece

“Monument to the Dream” Documentary Movie

Discover how the Gateway Arch came to be in the Academy Award nominated documentary movie.

Watch the Documentary

View of the inside of the Gateway Arch museum

Museum under the Gateway Arch

Explore our free museum during your next visit.

Visit the Museum

Child holding VR headset in Gateway Arch museum

Virtual Reality Theater

Immerse yourself in St. Louis Riverfront history in our award-winning Virtual Reality Theater.

Visit the VR Theater

The Old Courthouse

Witness history unfold inside our remodeled courtrooms and four interactive exhibit galleries.

Visit the Old Courthouse

Riverboat Cruises

Cruise along the Mississippi River on a replica paddlewheel riverboat.

Book a Riverboat Cruise

Have additional questions for our NPS Rangers or about Gateway Arch National Park? Please visit the NPS website for further information.