Gateway Arch · December
Gateway Arch in December
December is one of the best times to visit Gateway Arch — about as busy as November, busier than January.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Well below this park's peak — easy parking, open trails, short lines.
About 23% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical December visits vs. the year
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
December weather
- Avg high
- 45°F
- Avg low
- 27°F
- Precipitation
- 2.8"
- Sunrise
- 7:11 AM
- Sunset
- 4:40 PM
- Daylight
- 9.5h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, CAHOKIA, IL US
What's open
Gateway Arch in December: access
The Gateway Arch is open year-round, closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Summer Hours (9am-6pm, Sunday through Thursday and 9am-8pm Friday and Saturday) run the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend and are the primary visitor season. During Regular Hours (the day after Labor Day through Friday before Memorial Day) we are open from 9am to 6pm. Around the holidays we occasionally have extended hours.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
No current alerts or closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Gateway Arch crowds across the year
FAQ
Gateway Arch in December
How busy is Gateway Arch in December?
December rates 3/10 for crowds (Quiet) at Gateway Arch National Park — about 23% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 113,560.
What is the weather like at Gateway Arch in December?
In December, Gateway Arch averages a high of 45°F and a low of 27°F, with about 2.8 inches of precipitation.