Plan a Visit with Scouts

At Gateway Arch National Park, every corner has a new adventure to explore for your scout troop. We are proud to offer a variety of free programs to Scouting America members and Girl Scouts of all levels, helping them earn their badges. Our educational programs are led by National Park Service Rangers year-round and give your scouts the chance to see St. Louis history from multiple perspectives.

Additional scouting information can be found at go.nps.gov/ArchScouts. All scout programs are offered free of charge.

Inquire Today
Hero image of three boy scouts holding up their scout hand signal at the top of the Gateway Arch.

Discover Your Scout Group’s Next Adventure

Cub scout facing backwards and looking at the Gateway Arch.

Scouting America Programs

Gateway Arch National Park is proud to offer Cub Scouts and Scouting America members of all levels a variety of free programs to help them earn their badges and see the rich history of St. Louis differently. Reservations are taken year round. These free programs are approximately 50 minutes in length, each highlighting a different, age-appropriate theme. All programs are led by National Park Service rangers.

Scouting America
Two girl scouts looking at museum photography.

Girl Scouts Programs

Gateway Arch National Park is proud to offer Girl Scouts of all levels a variety of free programs to help them earn their badges and see the rich history of St. Louis differently. Reservations are taken year round. These free programs are approximately 50 minutes in length, each highlighting a different, age-appropriate theme. All programs are led by National Park Service rangers.

Girl Scouts

Looking for Inspiration to Plan Your Day?

Explore our group itineraries to get an idea of all you can do with your group when you spend a few hours or a day at Gateway Arch National Park.

A group of Girl Scouts pose for a photo at the top of the Gateway Arch.

2-Hour Experience Options

GATEWAY ARCH TRAM RIDE & MUSEUM

  • Arrival, ticketing and security (30 minutes)
  • Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch (45 – 60 minutes)
  • Museum under the Gateway Arch (Recommended at least 30 minutes – extra time can be planned)

RIVERBOAT AT THE GATEWAY ARCH

  • Arrival, ticketing (15 minutes)
  • Riverfront Cruise (60 minutes – boarding starts 15 minutes prior to departure time)
  • If you are cruising around lunch time, add on a pre-ordered boxed lunch that will be available on board your cruise.
A group of Boy Scouts on the outside deck of a riverboat looking towards downtown St. Louis.

3-Hour Experience Options

GATEWAY ARCH TRAM RIDE, MUSEUM & DOCUMENTARY MOVIE

  • Arrival, ticketing and security (30 minutes)
  • Monument to the Dream documentary movie (35 minutes – starts at the top of every hour)
  • Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch (45 – 60 minutes)
  • Museum at the Gateway Arch (Recommended at least 30 minutes – extra time can be planned)

GATEWAY ARCH TRAM RIDE & RIVERFRONT CRUISE

  • Arrival, ticketing and security (30 minutes)
  • Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch (45 – 60 )
  • Riverfront Cruise (60 minutes – boarding starts 15 minutes prior to departure time)
  • If you are cruising around lunch time, add on a pre-ordered boxed lunch that will be available on board your cruise.
A group of Girl Scouts in the Museum under Gateway Arch National Park working together to earn a merit badge.

4-Hour Experience

GATEWAY ARCH TRAM RIDE, MUSEUM, DOCUMENTARY MOVIE & RIVERFRONT CRUISE

  • Arrival, ticketing and security (30 minutes)
  • Monument to the Dream documentary movie (35 minutes – starts at the top of every hour)
  • Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch (45 – 60 minutes)
  • Museum under the Gateway Arch (Recommended at least 30 minutes – extra time can be planned)
  • Riverfront Cruise (60 minutes – boarding starts 15 minutes prior to departure time)
  • If you are cruising around lunch time, add on a pre-ordered boxed lunch that will be available on board your cruise.
  • Between Arch and Riverboat activities, allow 30 minutes, which includes a 10-20 minute walk.

Accessibility

To learn more about accessibility at Gateway Arch National Park and the St. Louis Riverfront, please visit the page below!

Learn More

Stay for Lunch

We make group lunches easy! We offers three options for groups: boxed lunches from the Paddlewheel Café, catering from the Arch Café, or the option to bring your own.

Bus Directions & Parking

If your tour group is coming on a bus, we offer convenient bus drop-off locations and designated bus parking on the levee of the St. Louis riverfront (if weather permits).

Bus Information
Family of four inside a tram car smiling. Tram Ride to the Top
Riverboat on the Mississippi river with guests on the second and third decks observing the St. Louis skyline before sunset. Riverboat Cruises
Black and white photo of the Gateway Arch being built. Documentary Movie
A group of students on a field trip experience the Virtual Reality Theater. Students put VR headsets on to start their experience. VR Theatre
Manifest Destiny gallery, featuring a stagecoach, life-sized explorer with an American flag and map Museum under the Gateway Arch
A group of Girl Scouts smile for photo standing on 3rd level of rotunda in the Old Courthouse Old Courthouse
A Girl Scout carries a rake to move mulch around a blooming tree in Gateway Arch National Park National Park Grounds
Group of children listening to a Gateway Arch educational program. Educational Programming
A group of four people gathered for lunch at the Paddlewheel Cafe on the riverboat docks. Paddlewheel Café
Selection of meals inside clear plastic containers at the Arch Cafe. Arch Café
Two women looking at local prints in the Riverboat Gift Shop. Riverboat Giftshop
The Arch Storefront shown at an angle. It is a concrete wall with a sign that says "The Arch Store". There is a large opening/entryway showcasing products on racks and shelves. The Arch Store
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Explore Things to Do with Scouts

Not looking for a workshop, but still want to plan a fun field trip for your scout(s)?

Gateway Arch National Park and the St. Louis Riverfront offer many opportunities for your scouts to earn their badges and learn along the way! Explore all our attractions, field trip opportunities and educational programming below.

  • Tram Ride to the Top
  • Riverboat Cruises
  • Documentary Movie
  • VR Theatre
  • Museum under the Gateway Arch
  • The Old Courthouse
  • National Park Grounds
  • Educational Programming
  • Paddlewheel Café
  • Arch Café
  • Gift Shops
Plan Your Field Trip

Scout Inquiry Form

Scout Leaders and/or parents please complete this form to receive additional details about field trips or register your scout(s) for the merit badge workshops provided by the National Park Service. A member of our team will contact you once the form has been completed.