Helpful Tips & FAQ

Healthy at the Ark

Following guidance issued pursuant to Kentucky law, guests may make their own determination as to the need to wear a mask (indoors and outdoors) and social distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We want everyone to have an enjoyable visit and ask that all guests be respectful of one another (and our staff) regarding the use of a face covering (or not) while at the attraction. All capacity restrictions have been lifted.

It is recommended that you postpone your visit if you have felt sick 24 hours prior to your visit or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

These common questions are answered on our website:

• What are the park hours and zoo/restaurant closing times?
• How do I get tickets, and what are the prices?
• Are any special discounts available on ticket prices?
• How do I get answers to ticket purchasing questions?
• Do you have directions to the park, and what is the address?
• Do you have special accommodations for groups?

In addition, please see the helpful tips below for specific information about amenities, accessibility accommodations, and guest safety.

For Your Convenience

Below are some of the amenities at Ark Encounter, as well as other information to help you make the most of your visit. Our Guest Services Team is ready to assist you with any needs during your visit. The Guest Services Information Center is available as you enter the park.

Animals

All service animal are freely admitted to Ark Encounter. “Comfort,” “therapy,” or “emotional support” animals do not meet the definition of a service animals and are not permitted. Pets are not permitted at Ark Encounter. Please do not leave pets or service animals in an unattended vehicle for any amount of time. You may wish to find a local pet resort to house your pet for the day (see list below).

ATM

ATMs are available. Ticketing, food venues, and the gift shop accept all major credit cards.

Climate Controlled

The Ark Encounter is equipped with both air conditioning and heating units to keep the temperature comfortable for our guests.

Combo Ticket Options

Are you interested in visiting both the Ark Encounter and our sister attraction, the Creation Museum? A combo ticket gives you a one-day pass to the Ark Encounter and a one-day pass to the Creation Museum.

Food Services

Ark Encounter’s restaurant and snack stands feature a variety of delicious food offerings, including options for special needs.

Lodging Options

The Ark Encounter is located just a brief drive away from dozens of lodging options. Find the best hotels in the tri-state area.

Motor Coach Parking

Parking is available for RVs and motor coaches during your visit. Overnight parking is not offered.

Parking

Parking is $15 for standard vehicles or $20 for oversized vehicles and paid upon entry. Lifetime Boarding passes include free parking.

Pet Accommodations

This list has been compiled for your convenience from publicly accessible sources. The list may not include all businesses that house pets or reflect the current status of a business. Businesses listed are not endorsed or recommended by Ark Encounter.

Photography

Guests are welcome to photograph and record all Ark Encounter exhibits, except for the Museum of the Bible exhibit and theater and video presentations. DVD versions of most of our videos are available for purchase in our online store or the onsite gift shop.

Planning Your Visit

Many people ask how much time to allow for a visit to the Ark Encounter and all that it has to offer. You can easily spend at least a whole day visiting the Ark, its zoo, enjoying a meal, and catching one of our dynamic, world-class speakers at the Answers Center. Allow yourself at least 5–6 hours if you can only do a quick visit.

Reentry

You are able to leave the Ark Encounter and reenter on the same day. Take the shuttle bus back to the parking lot and your specially colored wristband will allow you to regain entry.

Strollers and Wheelchairs

The Ark is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. You may bring your own, or Guest Services offers both strollers and wheelchairs for the convenience of all visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

Single strollers are available for a $10 fee, and double strollers are available for a $12 fee. Manual wheelchairs are available for a $12 fee, and a limited number of Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for a $38 fee. Rental fees include sales tax and are non-refundable.

Tram Road

The tram road is for the shuttle buses only. No personal vehicles are permitted on the road, so you will not be able to drop off your family in front of the Ark Encounter.

Accessibility Accommodations

The Ark Encounter’s Guest Services Team is ready to assist you. If you have questions during your visit, look for staff members—they will be happy to assist you. If you have questions regarding the locations of specific areas of the Ark Encounter, please reference our map page.

ADA Compliance

The Ark Encounter attraction is fully ADA compliant.

Entrances

Ramps are located at every entrance and exit door to Ark Encounter. The first entrance features an automatic door.

Exhibit Access

Virtually every exhibit is handicapped accessible. A series of gradual ramps take visitors through Ark Encounter’s main exhibits.

Hearing Accommodations

For guests who are Deaf or hard of hearing, the Ark Encounter is accessible. Videos and theaters are almost all captioned, and the entire experience is very visual and experiential. Much of the audio content in the Ark is available visually in the exhibits. Videos playing in the Answers Center are captioned or can be upon request.

If you would like to request an ASL interpreter for live programs, please fill out the request form. We ask that this is completed at least three weeks before your visit so that we can serve you well!

Parking

We have many handicapped spaces available in our main parking lot. If you need assistance finding an available handicapped space, alert the individual directing traffic.

Shuttle Buses

Our rotation of shuttle buses that take you from the parking lot onto the Ark Encounter grounds includes buses that are ADA compliant with doors that are wide enough to allow plenty of space for strollers and wheelchairs.

Zoo

All of the zoo’s pens are fully viewable via paved trails. The petting zoo pathways are gravel.

Restrooms

Restrooms throughout the facility and grounds are handicapped accessible. Wheelchair accessible water fountains are also available near the main interior restrooms.

Visual Accommodations

We are pleased to now offer BRF files for portable braille readers. The content includes signage from each teaching deck inside the Ark Encounter. Click here to download and use these files for your braille reader.

Public Safety

First Aid

Contact any staff member in an emergency or non-emergency situation. Basic first aid services are available from the Public Safety Department.

K-9 Officers

Ark Encounter does have K-9 officers. Please note that these are working dogs and we ask that you not approach them to pet them or talk to them. Their focus cannot be diverted from their job.

Lost and Found

If you believe you may have left something at the Ark Encounter, please contact (859) 727-2222 ext. 222. We’ll do our best to track it down for you. If we find it, we’ll contact you for info regarding pickup or shipping.

Parents with Young Children

Parents, please keep your eye on young children. Please pay attention to signage on exhibits. We do have special hands-on exhibits that children can touch all they want. If your child is missing, please notify the nearest Ark Encounter staff member. Our Public Safety Officers are trained in Code Adam.

Vehicle Assist

Basic vehicle assistance is available, from jump-starting to unlocking vehicles. Contact any staff member or Public Safety Officer if you need vehicle assistance.

Purchasing Your Tickets

Find your answers below! Fill out our contact form below for additional information.

Tickets

Our general admission and combo tickets are not date specific and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. No reservations are required to visit because there is plenty of room both inside and outside. Even on our largest attendance day ever, we were still well below one-third of our capacity!

Combo Tickets

Save with the combo ticket, which is valid for one day at the Creation Museum and one day at the Ark Encounter within a 7-day window. Parking is not included.

Print at Home

Your tickets will be delivered as a pdf attachment to your confirmation email and can be printed or scanned from your smart device.

Free Child Tickets

Kids (5–10) are free in 2022! Only one adult or senior ticket needs to be purchased for all child tickets in your party to be free. Tickets are required for admission, so visit the General Admission or Combo section to reserve free child tickets for those in your party.

Technical Difficulties

At times the online ticketing store will not function well with certain browsers, such as Internet Explorer. If you are experiencing technical difficulties purchasing tickets online, try switching to another browser or wait a few minutes, refresh the page, and try again.

Still Need Help?

Fill out our contact form for additional information, or call our guest services department at (888) 582-4253.