Gateway Arch in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 75/100 · #7 of 12 months
November is a quiet month with trade-offs at Gateway Arch National Park: crowds run 22% of the July peak (104,145 average visits). Weather: highs average 55°F and lows 36°F, with 3.3″ of precipitation and 10.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Bring for Gateway Arch in November
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 36°F.
- Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 3.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 10.1 hours of daylight in mid-November.
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Gateway Arch in November: what the park service says
November can be busy at the Gateway Arch because of group tours, and the day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the whole year, so book tram tickets ahead and arrive early. The park itself is closed on Thanksgiving Day. Same-day tickets are available when trams are not sold out, and the Arch Café serves from 9 to 4 during regular hours.
Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in November
Gateway Arch averages 104,145 recreation visits in November — 22% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Days are cool (highs average 55°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 36°F). Average precipitation is 3.3″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 10.1 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 November.
What to pack for Gateway Arch in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 36°F
- Packable rain jacket — 3.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 10.1 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Gateway Arch are April and September.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Gateway Arch crowded in November?
No — November is one of the quieter months: 22% of the July peak, averaging 104,145 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Gateway Arch.
What is the weather like in Gateway Arch in November?
Average highs of 55°F, lows of 36°F, 3.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CAHOKIA ST LOUIS AP, IL US station). Compare it with other national parks in November.
What should I pack for Gateway Arch in November?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Packable rain jacket; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in December instead? Gateway Arch in December has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24