Gateway Arch National Park Celebrates National Park Week!
Join Gateway Arch National Park in celebrating National Park Week, April 17-25! National Park Week was established by the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation and is a time to discover more about our beloved national treasures. Gateway Arch National Park has been hard at work in planning virtual and in-person National Park Week events. Here’s what’s on deck:
Calendar of National Park Week Daily Designations
- April 17: Park Rx Day and Fee-Free Day
- April 18: Volunteers in Parks Day
- April 19: Military Monday
- April 20: Transformation Tuesday
- April 21: Way Back Wednesday
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 23: Friendship Friday
- April 24: Junior Ranger Day
- April 25: B.A.R.K. Ranger Day
Visit Gateway Arch National Park’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for all virtual activities on these days.
Kids of all ages can to take part in a special National Park Week-themed scavenger hunt in the museum under the Arch. As they follow clues through the museum, participants will learn about the many groups of people the Arch commemorates, discover the ways the park is connected to national park sites all over the country, and learn how national parks connect us to our natural and cultural heritage. Just inquire about the scavenger hunt at the Information Desk in the Arch Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 17 – the first day of National Park Week – is ParkRx Day, a day dedicated to getting outside and enjoying the health benefits of the great outdoors! The Arch grounds feature over five miles of paths and plenty of green space to soak up all that nature has to offer. Go for a walk, jog or bike ride in the shadow of the Arch.
This year, ParkRx Day is also a fee-free day, where the NPS entrance fee is waived at all national parks. At Gateway Arch National Park, the $3 entrance fee, included in each adult Tram Ride to the Top and adult Documentary Movie ticket, is waived. Tram ride tickets can be purchased online.
Gateway Arch National Park is partnering with Explore St. Louis and Missouri Botanical Garden for “Homegrown National Park: St. Louis’ Native Plant Movement” webinar Thursday, April 22 at 11 a.m. Jean Ponzi, green resources manager of the Garden’s Earthways Center and host of KDHX’s Earthworms program, leads a discussion on St. Louis and the native plant movement.
NPS Rangers Anton Weinman and Dovie Cagle, who manage the grounds and native landscapes at the Gateway Arch, will also be part of this virtual program, which is free to attend and is open to all. Registration is available online.
Photo Courtesy of Gateway Arch Park Foundation
Junior Ranger Day is Saturday, April 24, but you have all weekend to earn a unique Junior Ranger badge, have fun and learn about the St. Louis region and the National Park Service! Attend at least one of the free virtual programs hosted by Gateway Arch National Park April 24 & 25.
To earn the badge, take a screenshot of the program, and send the park a message on Facebook Messenger (@GatewayArchNPS) with the screenshot and at least one fact you learned during the event. Register for the virtual programs online.
Here’s the program lineup:
Saturday, April 24
- 10 a.m.: Virtual Tour of the Museum at Gateway Arch
- Take a virtual tour of the Museum at the Gateway Arch to discover 201 years of American history! Ranger Luke will give you the inside scoop on the exhibits that highlight events from the founding of St. Louis in 1764 to the completion of the Gateway Arch in 1965.
- 11 a.m.: “Careers in the Park Service” Panel Discussion
- Our talented and accomplished National Park Service panelists will discuss the paths they took to arrive at this point in their careers and how you can begin your own amazing career in federal service. Learn more about diverse professional opportunities within the federal government.
- 12 p.m.: TreeHouse Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Live Bird Program
- How do birds fly? What do they eat? Where do they go in the winter? Meet resident Ambassador Animals during this live bird show to find out! Rachael from Treehouse Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will bring her feathered friends.
- 1 p.m.: Andy Magee’s Journey to 419 National Parks
- St. Louis resident Andy Magee will discuss his 2019 year-long exploration of every National Park unit through photographs and stories of adventure, discovery, and healing. The presentation will focus on popular parks as well as lesser known places.
Sunday, April 25
- 10 a.m.: Virtual Tour of Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
- Take a virtual tour of White Haven, Ulysses S. Grant’s home, with Ranger Ashton to discover more about our 18th president and his time in the St. Louis region.
- 11 a.m.: “Art with Ed” with Artist in Residence Ed Pearce
- By visiting Gateway Arch National Park, your pup can become a BARK Ranger! Celebrate BARK Ranger Day with Ed, our Artist in Residence and follow along with the art activities.
- 12 p.m.: Bison 101
- What’s a buffalo chip? Join Ranger Luke to learn about the relationship between Plains Indians and the bison that once roamed the American great plains.
- 1 p.m.: Junior Ranger Night Explore Workshop with Sky Ranger Rich
- Join Sky Ranger Rich for the virtual Junior Ranger Night Explorer workshop. Download and print the Night Explorer booklet online and work with Ranger Rich to complete at least 5 activities, snap pictures of your completed work, and email those pictures to [email protected] to receive a special patch and certificate. It’ll be out of this world!
Learn the B.A.R.K. principles so you and your pet can have a safe and fun visit anytime you go to a national park. B.A.R.K. stands for: Bag your pet’s waste, Always leash your pet, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go. Bring Fido to the Arch west entrance Sunday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to noon to learn about the B.A.R.K Ranger program and receive a free T-shirt, dog bandana and dog treats.