A Hiker's Guide to Finding Noah's Ark in Parowan, Utah
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| Noah's Ark from Noah's Ark Trail Parowan Utah |
The Noah's Ark Trail near Parowan, Utah, is a beautiful adventure with two unique things I absolutely love: the stunning contrast of deep red rocks nestled against rich green pines, and fascinating sections of conglomerate rock that form otherworldly shapes. The main event, of course, is the fun of finding the "ark" itself—a massive rock formation shaped like a great ship. I think I found two possibilities on my journey! This is my guide to this fun and beautiful trail, including a very important tip on how to safely cross the creek now that the bridge has been washed out.
The Golden Nugget 🌟
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: The main bridge at the start of this trail is washed out, leaving a deep and fast section of the creek. While some cross on a narrow log, this is very dangerous. For a much safer crossing, walk a short way down the road until you see a house across the river. Here, the creek is wider and shallower, and there are lower logs you can use to cross safely.
TRANSPORT YOURSELF ON A MAGICAL ROAD TRIP
The adventure to Noah's Ark is featured in my "Road Trip to Sedona's Fairyland" VR Getaway! Grab your VR headset and join me on a magical journey that includes this trail, the Vermillion Cliffs, Hidden Haven Waterfall, and even a sunrise hike to Devil's Bridge in Sedona. It's a trip that's sure to make you smile!
"It amazes me when I see a flower like the one above, growing in a hot desert in an area just covered in tons of rocks. How did you grow little one? You are such a beautiful flower, but you survived in crazy circumstances."
Adventure at a Glance
- 🏞️ Location: Near Parowan, Utah (in the Dixie National Forest)
- 🚶♀️ Activity: Moderate Hiking, Rock Formation Hunting
- ⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
- ☀️ Best For: Beautiful red rock views, unique conglomerate formations, a fun "treasure hunt" feel.
- ⏳ Recommended Time: 2-3 hours for the 3-4 mile hike.
- 🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: The Noah's Ark formation, the Vermillion Castle area across the road.
My Noah's Ark Story
The year we hiked to Seaside from Cannon Beach was a fantastic trip, and this was another one of those unforgettable adventures. The hunt for Noah's Ark is so much fun. I found two different formations that could fit the bill! The first is a stunning, ship-like rock formation that rises from the red cliffs. The second is a different mountain range in the distance that also has an incredible ark-like shape. Which one is the "real" one? I'll let you decide!
The trail itself is a steady climb with amazing vista views. It can be a little tricky in places. Besides the washed-out bridge, there is a section near the top with loose rock on a steep slope. Remember that whatever you go up, you must come down! I decided to turn around at a spot where I felt a slip could lead to an easy slide down the mountain. The best views of the ark are from a distance anyway, so always be smart and hike within your comfort level.
Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints
- ♦️ The Safe Crossing: To find the safer spot to cross the creek, walk down the dirt road from the main gate until you are across from a small house. This is where the creek is wider and shallower.
- ♦️ Parking: Google Maps may not take you to the exact spot. Look for the gate on Bowery Creek Rd at these coordinates: 37°47'40.8"N 112°47'35.4"W.
- ♦️ Why is it "Hard"?: AllTrails rates this trail as hard, likely due to the washed-out bridge, the elevation gain at altitude, and the few steep sections with loose rock near the top. Using hiking poles is a great idea.
- ♦️ Don't Miss Vermillion Castle: After your hike, drive a little further up the road. The views are incredible, with white, cone-like structures in front of dark red cliffs. The Vermillion Castle area across the road is also beautiful and worth exploring.
360 Video Of Noah's Ark Trail
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| Noah's Ark Trail - Parowan Utah |
WHY DOES ALL TRAILS CALL THIS A HARD TRAIL?
All Trails calls this a HARD trail. When I see that, I just get a little frustrated for I want to know WHY. I have been on numerous hikes that were labeled hard that I did not think were hard. So here is my list of things I think make a trail HARD, and answers to those questions.
- Is it hard because of length or elevation gain? No. It is a lot of uphill, but it is not bad. Just take a short break if you get winded. You are pretty high in elevation.
- Is it hard because of bouldering or hiking maneuvers? No. There is no hard moves on this hike.
- Is it hard because of loose rocks on a steep incline? Maybe. Up at the top it is not bad to climb up, but remember you need to get back down. If you have poles, the small sections where there are a few loose rocks that are on a incline wouldn't be hard, but there are 2-3 about 10 foot sections that the trail is narrow, and the incline is a little steep that if you didn't bring poles it might not be bad to not finish to the end. The best views are not up close to the ark anyway. They are seeing it from afar.
- The bridge being gone I think also makes this a harder hike. If you are prepared though and have water shoes, and you cross down lower with your hiking sticks, I am not sure it really is that bad.
360 View on Trail. Definitely Feels like a Top of the World Hike!
360 Video Noah's Ark Trail
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| Amazing Views from the Noah's Ark Trail. |
HOW TO GET TO THE TRAILHEAD - INSTRUCTIONS FOR HIKE
If you take exit 78 Parowan exit off I-15 and then take UT-143 S and turn on Bowery Creek Rd and watch for this Gate below. Google Maps did not get me here with its directions. I think I have fixed it, but just in case here is the coordinates of this gate.37°47'40.8"N 112°47'35.4"W
Bowery Creek Rd, Parowan, UT 84761
Google Map Link to Trail Head Location
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| Gate for Trail Head for Noah's Ark |
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| Where Bridge is Blown Out for Noah's Ark Trail |
Once you get across the stream, the trail is heading off to the left. You want to watch for this sign below, and then you will know you are on the correct trail.
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| Noah's Ark Trailhead Sign |
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| Amazing Red Top Mountain you see often from Noah's Ark Trail. I think it is also looks like a ship in water. |
360 Video of the spot you need to watch for the Cairns
360 VIDEO to CAIRN SPOT
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| Amazing Red Top Mountain you see often from Noah's Ark Trail. |
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT - How do some bloom in such rocky soil?
Views along Noah's Ark Trail- Parowan Utah
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| Only Tricky Navigation spot on the Trail. The trail actually jogs to the right, and there is a Cairn at the top right by the breaks in the trees. If in doubt... look around for a Cairn., or backtrack until you know you are for sure on the trail. |
360 Video Up by the Top of Noah's Ark - make sure you rotate it around to see it ALL!
WEIRD CREVASSES AT THE BASE OF NOAH'S ARK
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| Butt Crack of Noah's Ark |
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| This one looks like a creatures mouth and eyes. |
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| Wall of Noah's Ark. Notice how the trail turns rocky up closer to the Ark, and how the Walls are created by those rocks cemented together. . |
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| Front section of Noah's Ark |
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| This is where I turned around on the trail. I was so close to the end, but I was not loving the steepness of the trail here heading down here towards the back of Noah's Ark. |
VERMILLION CASTLE AREA ACROSS THE ROAD FROM NOAH'S ARK IS BEAUTIFUL!
If you make it out here, my favorite part, was driving past the Noah's Ark Trailhead, for the views for the next few miles are extremely pretty. It has white cone like structures in front of Dark red cliffs. It is just really unique and interesting. Across the road from Noah's Ark is a trail called Vermillion Castle that also looks very interesting. If you look at the photos below, you can maybe see why this area is called a Castle area.
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| Vermillion Castle Area just up road from Noah's Ark Trailhead. |
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| Vermillion Castle Area just up road from Noah's Ark Trailhead. |
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Conclusion
The Noah's Ark trail was a delightful surprise. It's a hike that combines the fun of a treasure hunt with the stunning beauty of Southern Utah's red rock country. It's a place that inspires wonder, both at the strange and beautiful shapes of the earth and at the resilience of the delicate flowers that manage to bloom in such rocky soil. I hope this guide helps you have a fun and safe adventure in this incredible place.
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna from VRGetaways
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