Ark Encounter

Imagine being one of eight people in the entire world to survive a catastrophe. What questions would you have? Near the Ark’s door, Japheth’s wife struggles with difficult questions related to how a loving God could allow so much death and suffering. The door is one of the most popular places to photograph in the Ark. It reminds us that there was one door into the ark for Noah’s family to enter to be spared from the flood. Similarly, there is only one way by which a person can be spared from eternal judgment: the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Noah’s family came off the ark and built an altar, thanking God for rescuing them from the flood.

Inside our life-size Noah’s Ark are three decks of world-class exhibits, illustrating what life aboard the ark may have been like, discussing flood geology and the subsequent ice age, and so much more!

What would you tell someone who's thinking about visiting the Ark Encounter for the first time?

Talk to Noah, hear the crashing waves, and see the animals aboard the Ark Encounter!

The guinea pigs at the Ararat Ridge Zoo are quite talented.

Noah’s grandfather Methuselah lived to 969 years old, and he died shortly before the global flood happened.

Which animal in the Ark Encounter’s Ararat Ridge Zoo is your favorite to visit?

Did you know that God gave Noah instructions for building the ark?

The Bible gives us a few details about Noah. He was a righteous and faithful man. Using artistic license while staying within biblical parameters, the Ark Encounter team developed a backstory for Noah to explain how he may have acquired the skills necessary to build the ark. God equips his people to perform the tasks he calls them to do. In “Who Was Noah?” visitors explore how the Lord may have prepared Noah to build the ark.

Genesis 4:22 describes Tubal-Cain as an instructor of bronze and iron craftsmen. It is possible that one or more of Noah’s family members learned this trade as well, which could come in handy during the year of the flood.

Noah’s family had plenty of food to eat aboard the ark.

Three days after being crucified, Jesus Christ rose from the dead just as he promised. On that morning, an angel descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb. “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay" (Matthew 28:2–6). This spectacular miracle confirmed that Jesus Christ was exactly who he claimed to be—the Son of God. The resurrection also demonstrated his power over death, guaranteeing the hope of eternal life to all who repent of their sins and believe in him.

What’s your favorite account from the Bible that’s not related to the ark?

Noah’s first son was born when Noah was 500 years old.

Because each of us has sinned against God, we need his forgiveness, but the blood of animals could never take away our sins. We needed a perfect substitute to die in our place. For God so loved the world, that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to become a man to pay for our sins through his sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is our Passover whose blood can take away all of our sins.

The true meaning of the rainbow is found in the Bible’s account of Noah’s flood.

Noah was blameless in God’s eyes during a completely evil time.

Tiki is enjoying hanging out! Kinkajous like Tiki have a specialized, highly mobile ankle joint that enables them to rotate their feet 180°. This allows them to descend trees headfirst—a rare ability among arboreal mammals. Coatis and raccoons, which are also members of the procyonid created kind, also share this ability. In addition to these mobile ankle joints, kinkajous are one of only two members of the order Carnivora with a prehensile tail, which they use to hang and reach tasty fruit and nectar. Do you know the other animal in the order Carnivora with a prehensile tail? Hint: This species is also found here at the zoo!

Noah’s ark was built in around 75 years.