Ark Encounter is a themed park built around a full-size reconstruction of Noah’s ark, and the ship sets the scale for everything else on the grounds: a Village Market, a playground, animal experiences and seasonal programmes sit around it. Arriving is a small journey in itself. You park first, pass a public safety security check, then ride a shuttle to the Welcome Center on the main Ark grounds, where you can buy tickets or have pre-purchased ones scanned. The rule worth planning the day around is food: outside food and drink cannot be brought onto the property, so meals and snacks have to come from the outlets on site, with sealed plastic bottles of water as the exception — families who need to bring their own food because of allergies are directed to the park’s allergen information. A few of the listed activities, among them the animal experiences, guidebooks and seasonal events, are not covered by the admission ticket, and some add-ons are marked as needing to be scheduled ahead, so it is worth deciding before you go which of them you actually want.
Family FAQ
Can you bring your own food to Ark Encounter?
Outside food and beverages are not allowed on the property.
Is there parking at Ark Encounter?
Parking is paid — show a parking pass or pay at the parking booth on arrival, and note that camping and overnight parking are not permitted.
