These common questions are answered on our website:
In addition, please see the helpful tips below for specific information about amenities, accommodations, and guest safety.
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.
All service animals are freely admitted to Ark Encounter. 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).
ATMs are available. Ticketing, food venues, and the gift shop accept all major credit cards.
The Ark Encounter is equipped with both air conditioning and heating units to keep the temperature comfortable for our guests.
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 two-day pass to the Creation Museum.
Ark Encounter’s restaurant and snack stands feature a variety of delicious food offerings, including options for special needs.
Ark Encounter offers a number of lockers for rent at daily rates.
Payment may be made in cash or with a credit or debit card. Fees are non-refundable; state sales tax is included.
The Ark Encounter is located just a brief drive away from dozens of lodging options. Work with our exclusive travel provider, DAT Travel, to find the best hotels in the tri-state areas.
Parking is available for RVs and motor coaches during your visit. Overnight parking is not offered.
Parking passes are required and cost $10 for standard vehicles or $15 for oversized vehicles. Parking passes can be purchased at Ark Encounter Admissions, Guest Services, or as you exit the parking lot. Parking passes include reentry for one calendar day. Lifetime Boarding passes include free parking.
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.
| Canine Companion Boarding & Training Center | 13580 Dixie Highway, Walton, KY 41094 | (859) 356-6457 |
| Custom K9 Clips | 1218 North Main Street, Williamstown, KY 41097 | (859) 824-3073 |
| Happy Spot Pet Resort | 458 Sims Pike, Georgetown, KY 40324 | (502) 868-0402 |
| Kennels of St. Francis | 1532 Eads Road, Verona, KY 41092 | (859) 485-6432 |
* Requires current vaccination paperwork.
Guests are welcome to photograph and record all Ark Encounter exhibits, except for theater and video presentations.
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 a day visiting the Ark, its zoo, and enjoying a meal. Allow yourself at least 5–6 hours if you can only do a quick visit.
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.
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 $8 fee, and double strollers are available for a $10 fee. Manual wheelchairs are available for a $10 fee, and a limited number of Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for a $35 fee. All fees are non-refundable; state sales tax is not included.
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.
If desired, you may request special assistance if you or a member of your party is Deaf or blind.
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.
The Ark Encounter attraction is fully ADA compliant.
Ramps are located at every entrance and exit door to Ark Encounter. The first entrance features an automatic door.
Virtually every exhibit is handicapped accessible. A series of gradual ramps take visitors through Ark Encounter’s main exhibits.
Ark Encounter exhibits are very visual and as you walk through them, you will find many video screens with open-captioned, short, educational videos. Much of the audio content at Ark Encounter is available visually in the exhibits.
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.
Each of our 11 shuttle buses fully complies with ADA requirements. The doors are wide enough to allow plenty of space for strollers and wheelchairs.
All of the zoo’s pens are fully viewable via paved trails. The petting zoo pathways are gravel.
Restrooms throughout the facility and grounds are handicapped accessible. Wheelchair accessible water fountains are also available near the main interior restrooms.
Restrooms and elevators are marked in Braille to assist with finding your way at Ark Encounter.
Contact any staff member in an emergency or non-emergency situation. Basic first aid services are available from the Public Safety Department.
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.
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.
Basic vehicle assistance is available, from jump-starting to unlocking vehicles. Contact any staff member or Public Safety Officer if you need vehicle assistance.