Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Gateway Arch IS a National Park, but shouldn't be. By any criteria we usually measure for "National Parks," Gateway Arch doesn't meet any of them. Even the Park Service itself wasn't in favor of the name change. But, this isn't just a bunch of park nerds arguing over semantics here - the implications of Gateway Arch becoming a National Park are massive for our National Parks and for the National Park System as a whole. I explain it all in this video.
Every Type of National Park, Explained: youtu.be/X3nxFnUCIO0
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on TikTok: tiktok.com/@nationalparkdiaries
Sources and Resources:
nps.gov/jeff/index.htm
nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/materials-and-techniques.htm
nps.gov/jeff/learn/historyculture/index.htm
nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/jeff/adhi1-1.htm
gatewayarch.com
12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outsideonline.com%2Fadventure-travel%2Fnational-parks%2Fgateway-arch-national-park-46%2F%3Fscope%3Danon%23_pay-wall
govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s1438/text
doi.gov/ocl/s-1438
archive.curbed.com/2018/6/28/17514454/st-louis-arch-gateway-park-review-alexandra-lange
news.stlpublicradio.org/arts/2014-08-26/instead-of-the-arch-the-st-louis-riverfront-could-have-had-this#stream/0
tclf.org/sites/default/files/microsites/kiley-legacy/JeffersonNEM.html
terragalleria.com/blog/gateway-arch-national-park-thoughts-on-a-name
journey2allnationalparks.com/parks/gateway-arch-national-park-why-is-it-a-national-park
irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Annual%20Park%20Recreation%20Visitation%20(1904%20-%20Last%20Calendar%20Year)?Park=JEFF
Images and Music
Storyblocks
NPS
FDR Presidential Library
Library of Congress
Wikimedia Commons/FoxyRoxyk424
Gateway Arch IS a National Park, but shouldn't be. By any criteria we usually measure for "National Parks," Gateway Arch doesn't meet any of them. Even the Park Service itself wasn't in favor of the name change. But, this isn't just a bunch of park nerds arguing over semantics here - the implications of Gateway Arch becoming a National Park are massive for our National Parks and for the National Park System as a whole. I explain it all in this video.
Every Type of National Park, Explained: youtu.be/X3nxFnUCIO0
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/nationalparkdiaries
Follow me on TikTok: tiktok.com/@nationalparkdiaries
Sources and Resources:
nps.gov/jeff/index.htm
nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/materials-and-techniques.htm
nps.gov/jeff/learn/historyculture/index.htm
nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/jeff/adhi1-1.htm
gatewayarch.com
12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outsideonline.com%2Fadventure-travel%2Fnational-parks%2Fgateway-arch-national-park-46%2F%3Fscope%3Danon%23_pay-wall
govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s1438/text
doi.gov/ocl/s-1438
archive.curbed.com/2018/6/28/17514454/st-louis-arch-gateway-park-review-alexandra-lange
news.stlpublicradio.org/arts/2014-08-26/instead-of-the-arch-the-st-louis-riverfront-could-have-had-this#stream/0
tclf.org/sites/default/files/microsites/kiley-legacy/JeffersonNEM.html
terragalleria.com/blog/gateway-arch-national-park-thoughts-on-a-name
journey2allnationalparks.com/parks/gateway-arch-national-park-why-is-it-a-national-park
irma.nps.gov/Stats/SSRSReports/Park%20Specific%20Reports/Annual%20Park%20Recreation%20Visitation%20(1904%20-%20Last%20Calendar%20Year)?Park=JEFF
Images and Music
Storyblocks
NPS
FDR Presidential Library
Library of Congress
Wikimedia Commons/FoxyRoxyk424
