This namesake rock's origin is lost to history as the original Ark remains lost to the world. However, it is presumed that much like the rock pinnacles of Zion National Park, which were named by a traveling Methodist Minister who, on a whim, started naming the spires of Zion. Some early settlers, startled by the shape's similarities, started calling the prominent square summit Noah's Ark.

The Noah's Ark Trail is part of the Dixie National Forest trail system and is a maintained dirt and rock trail. Moderate at the start, this 3-mile round trip (trailhead sign says 1 mile) becomes difficult the last half mile through steep, crumbling rock formations.