Ark Encounter

09/02/2026

Dinosaurs were created by God on day six of creation, approximately 6,000 years ago.

09/02/2026

What does it mean that the Bible is God’s Word?

God moved and guided the authors of the Bible as they wrote. At the same time, this process allowed the writers to use their own styles and personalities. The Bible is authoritative in every subject it addresses and without error in the original manuscripts, since the words ultimately came from God who knows everything and is without fault.

09/02/2026

Meet your ancestors, who lived aboard the ark and cared for all the animals during the global flood, when you visit the Ark Encounter!

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

When our designers and content writers were preparing exhibits for the Ark Encounter, they wanted to make the experience as authentic as possible. Since the Bible does not provide every detail the designers needed, artistic license was used, taking great care not to contradict biblical details.

Is the Ark Encounter Adding to Scripture?

Details like naming the women enhance the overall guest experience. They should not, in any way, be considered attempts to add our ideas to the Bible. Additional signage can be found in the exhibits that contain significant amounts of artistic license to help visitors discern between Scripture and elements of artistic license.

What Did the Animals Look Like?

The Ark’s animals may look different than many people expect. Whenever possible, the creatures we crafted were based on fossils found in rock layers considered by researchers to have been deposited soon after the flood. While this provides a good basis for the size and shape of the animals, license was taken to develop the unpreserved details, such as the color of scales, fur, or feathers.

Who Was Noah’s Wife?

The Bible gives some specifics about Noah (e.g., righteous man, husband, father), but it does not tell us what he looked like, how he dressed, or even what his hobbies might have been. We are told even less about his family. Scripture does not even reveal the names of his wife and his daughters-in-law. Artistic license was taken to name these four women, develop their backstories, and craft their appearances.

What Did the Ark Look Like?

The Bible provides a few details about the ark (e.g., dimensions, three decks, coated inside and outside with pitch), but it does not explain every aspect needed for us to recreate an exact replica. Our Ark is based on the biblical data and shipbuilding research, but we used artistic license in many areas, including the design of the ship’s interior and exterior structure as well as the mechanisms for animal feeding and waste removal.

09/01/2026

The Ark Encounter is the largest freestanding timber-frame structure in the world, built in part by skilled Amish craftsmen from standing dead timber.

08/31/2026

Today the world is covered with billions of fossils in rock layers laid down by water—even on top of mountains. There are also hundreds of flood legends from around the globe that are remarkably similar to the Bible’s account.

Find out what these clues reveal about Noah’s Flood at Ark Encounter!

08/31/2026

The global flood, Noah’s ark, and Noah’s family are historical facts and figures.

08/30/2026

Today's the perfect day to plan your next visit to the Ark Encounter!