These Top Zoos in Texas Have Unforgettable Overnight Camping Experiences

The sun set over a myriad of tents on the grassy meadow, and stars rose in the sky. I drifted off to sleep to the sounds of crickets and night birds. Then, in the middle of the night, a cacophony of deep, ominous roars roused me with a start.

Lions! The sounds were coming from a pride of lions less than a quarter of a mile away. I was only afraid for a moment, though, as I remembered where I was—at a wild family campout at my favorite zoo!

Making Childhood Dreams Accessible to All

As a kid, I wanted nothing more than to be Jane Goodall, Jack Hanna, or Steve Irwin when I grew up. I wanted to study animals and film them. I knew that to do this, I would need to live in the wild and sleep in tents.

Zoo campouts are designed to recreate just such an experience in a way that is accessible to everyone. They last just one night, making them a good introduction to the rigors of camping, especially for beginners.

The zoo facilities are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. From families with small children to the elderly, everyone can enjoy the experience.

Many zoos have a “festival ground” or similar open, grassy area that they use for the campouts. Bathroom facilities are nearby and open for use all night long, and, like the zoos themselves, the events are ADA compliant for individuals with disabilities.

But nine-year-old me viewed the event as much more than just a night of camping. It was an early job shadowing experience as I learned about what it was like to be a zookeeper or do fieldwork through hands-on activities.

I packed a backpack with binoculars, a canteen, books, and more, as if I were really going on safari.

The Zoo Campout Experience

We arrived at the zoo in the late afternoon, just as the last crowds of the day were trailing away. We followed the signs and zoo staff to the grassy meadow in the center of the zoo.

The first order of business was to stake out our territory and set up our tent. We brought our own camping tent, as is expected at most zoo campouts.

Some zoos do offer a limited number of tents for a small rental fee. Others have “glamping” experiences in permanent structures.

With the tent set up and secured to the ground with tent stakes, we set off to explore the evening’s activities.

Our first stop was a small buffet offering warm bowls of chili with add-ins like macaroni noodles, shredded cheese, and sour cream. The hearty stew was just the sort of meal you’d expect to indulge in on a camping trip—simple yet fortifying.

Next, we visited zookeepers holding birds of prey or parrots on outstretched arms. Others had small exotic mammals on leashes. At each station, we learned about the animals through Keeper Talks.

There were also animal-themed arts and crafts stations at various picnic tables.

As darkness approached, many of the families gathered around a large, central campfire. Marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers were available for making s’mores.

Exhausted from the new experiences of the day, my parents finally led me away to settle into our tent. It was one of at least a hundred, so we searched for a moment, flashlights in hand. Then I crept into my Barbie sleeping bag and fell asleep.

It was full dark, and there was a chill in the air when I awoke to the sound of roaring lions. My Mom said, “You don’t think they’re loose, do you? It sounds like they’re right outside the tent.” 

My dad reassured her that they were safe in their enclosure, some distance away down the winding concrete path.

I thought about what I’d learned about lions that day. Male lions did most of the roaring, even though the females did the hunting.

Sometimes lions roared to startle their prey, but more often, they did so to announce their territory to other lions. There was only one male lion at the zoo, and no other zoos nearby, but the lion didn’t know that.

I had also learned that lions roared toward the ground to help the sound carry farther. The grunting roars could be heard up to five miles away. With just the fabric of the tent and sleeping bag between me and the ground, I could feel the vibrations in my body.

I drifted back to sleep, imagining lions strolling and sniffing among the tents.

We awoke very early the next morning. The air was cool and damp, a thick fog hanging in the air. Gibbons, a type of ape, called to one another as native and exotic birds joined in the dawn chorus.

I changed from my pajamas and brushed my teeth in the nearby bathroom. We returned to the buffet table for a breakfast of cereal, milk, and fresh fruit.

Then, we packed up the tent. As the zoo’s opening hours neared, new adventures awaited.

Texas Zoos That Offer Overnight Experiences

Many Texas zoos offer unique overnight experiences. These range from campouts just for kids to posh group experiences.

The San Antonio Zoo has a variety of overnight adventures to choose from. Campers age five and up can roll out their sleeping bags at the San Antonio Zoo Education Center for “climate-controlled camping” at Roars and Snores during the months of January to November.

First, campers will be treated to a pizza dinner and snacks. Then, they’ll enjoy live animal presentations, a guided flashlight tour after dark, and other zoo-themed activities.

Parties of 20 or more can choose one of three focused learning themes. “Nocturnal Adventures” explores the benefits of being active at night instead of during the day, focusing on animals like owls, cats, and bats.

“Grossology” delves into the “yucky” habits of some nighttime animals, including why they produce poop, pellets, and slime.

“Animal Mysteries” allows you to take on the role of a scientist, looking for clues and animal signs to solve a mystery.

On certain dates, you can upgrade your adventure with an Africa Live! hippotamous viewing to meet the resident hippos, Timothy and Uma.

In the morning, a short tour allows you to see how zookeepers prepare for the day. Then, you’ll enjoy breakfast tacos at the Beastro restaurant.

At Zoo Snooze overnight events, you’ll be immersed in the sights and sounds of the rainforest while camping indoors at Discovery PLAYce.

For a more glamorous safari, you can stay at the Spekboom Lodge, a private suite that accommodates up to four guests. On the evening you arrive, you’ll get to explore the zoo for two hours after closing time. 

You’ll awaken to the sight of giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and other animals from a private viewing deck in the Naylor Savanna habitat. You’ll have access to the rest of the zoo for an hour before the public arrives. 

Get insider access with an exclusive one-hour guided zoo tour. You’ll also have complementary access to the Zootenial Carousel, Zoo Train, and animal encounters at Lory Landing, the John and Greli Less Butterfly Rainforest, and the Giraffe Feeding area.

A portion of the proceeds from your stay at the Spekboom Lodge supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.

You can use the map below to locate the San Antonio Zoo.

Where: San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary’s Street, San Antonio, TX 78212-3199.

Some zoos even offer overnight sleep-away camps just for kids. Among these is the Overnight Summer Zoo Camp at the Fort Worth Zoo for children ages eight through ten.

The overnight camp is for one night only and has separate dates for girls and boys—a great introduction to sleep-away camp if your child has never stayed away from home before. It includes learning opportunities, an after-hours tour, breakfast, and a Summer Zoo Camp t-shirt.

Similarly, the Dallas Zoo has Lights Out Overnight: Senses Safari for organizations with membership between the ages of 6 and 15, like the scouts, schools, or youth groups. Specialized programs are available for Girl Scout Juniors and Girl Scout Brownies troops. Adult chaperones are required.

Whether you’re young or old, spending the night at a zoo is an unforgettable experience. You can meet animals up close and personal, observe interesting nighttime behaviors, and get to know like-minded animal lovers. And you never know when such an experience might ignite a lifelong passion or even a future career.