Snooze at the Zoo

Camp beside the Zoo’s nighttime animals with dinner, children’s crafts, bat activities, a kid-friendly outdoor movie, a group campfire with s’mores and a light breakfast. Outdoor habitats in North America, Adventure Africa, South America and the Camel Yard remain viewable until 8 p.m.; animal buildings reopen at 9:30 a.m. the following morning.

Overnight schedule

• Check-in and campsite setup begin at the West Entrance at 5 p.m.; registration closes at 7 p.m.
• Crafts run until 8 p.m., dinner is served from 6–7:30 p.m., and bat programming begins at 7:45 p.m. An acoustic bat walk at 8 p.m. is limited to ages 12 and older.
• The movie begins at 8:30 p.m., s’mores are at 9 p.m., and quiet hours run from 11 p.m.–7 a.m.
• Breakfast is served from 7–8 a.m.; campsites must be packed by 9 a.m.

Each approximately 20-by-20-foot campsite allows up to eight people and two small tents. Bring a required tent, ground tarp, sleeping gear, flashlights, insect repellent, reusable water bottles, chairs and rain gear. Camp stoves, grills, fuel lanterns, vehicles, pop-up campers, radios and alcohol are prohibited. Electricity is available around the camping zones, though not at every site; note medical power or accessibility needs with the reservation.

The event runs rain or shine, with activities moving indoors if necessary. Registration includes a shirt for paid guests, dinner, activities, the movie, s’mores, breakfast, next-day Zoo admission and parking. Children two and younger are free but receive no meal or shirt. All campsites for this night are full; only additional campers on existing reservations may be added. Reservations are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another family.