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Gateway Arch in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 68/100 · #10 of 12 months

December is a quiet month with trade-offs at Gateway Arch National Park: crowds run 20% of the July peak (93,014 average visits). Weather: highs average 44°F and lows 29°F, with 2.3″ of precipitation and 9.5 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Bring for Gateway Arch in December

  1. Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 29°F, below freezing.
  2. Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
  3. HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.5 hours of daylight in mid-December.

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Gateway Arch in December: what the park service says

December at the Gateway Arch is quieter than summer, with a daily mean temperature around 34°F, and the museum beneath the Arch keeps its off-season daytime schedule, closing only for Christmas. Group tours can still keep the trams busy. The Arch Store shuts about 15 minutes before the museum does, and the last tram of the day leaves an hour before closing.

Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, checked 2026-11-05.

looking up at the curve of the Gateway Arch against the sky
Gateway Arch National Park — photo: NPS Photo/Sue Ford (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

Gateway Arch averages 93,014 recreation visits in December — 20% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Average visits (December)
93,014 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)
Share of the year
4.7% of annual visitation
vs. peak (July)
20%

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 44°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 29°F). Average precipitation is 2.3″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 9.5 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CAHOKIA ST LOUIS AP, IL US (4 mi from park coordinates, 413 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Gateway Arch in December

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Gateway Arch are April and September.

Also at their best in December

Other parks whose computed December verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

Common questions

Is Gateway Arch crowded in December?

No — December is one of the quieter months: 20% of the July peak, averaging 93,014 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Gateway Arch.

What is the weather like in Gateway Arch in December?

Average highs of 44°F, lows of 29°F, 2.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CAHOKIA ST LOUIS AP, IL US station). Compare it with other national parks in December.

What should I pack for Gateway Arch in December?

Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Packable rain jacket; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in January instead? Gateway Arch in January has its own list.

← Gateway Arch in November All months Gateway Arch in January →

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-24

Also check in December

The nearest other parks that are not closed or rated Harsh in December, with the same NPS × NOAA verdict. Distance is a straight line.