If you are planning a trip through the St. Louis area in the evening, do not be surprised if you do not spot the famous arch. The lights are turned off. For the entire month of September, the National Park Service will not turn on the outside lights when it is dark, due to migrating birds [1].
Migration
The data from the National Park Service states that 40 percent of the nation’s migratory waterfowl use the Mississippi River corridor during their spring and fall migration. This includes the ducks and Canada geese we see and hear.
This practice from the National Park Service began in 2002. They would turn off the arch’s exterior lights in an attempt to protect birds migrating south. They continue this practice in the spring when the birds fly back north. In May, the National Park Service also turns the lights off for the birds’ sake.
Lights On
The Arch’s lights will be turned back on beginning the evening of Sunday, October 1, 2023. the monument will be lit nightly after that.
If you are planning on going to St. Louis to see the Arch lit up, you may want to reschedule your visit until after October 1.
Notes:
- ^Â {{Arch will not be lit up during September due to migrating birds}}Â (go back ↩)
