Important Information
- Age requirement: individuals ages 6 and up. Children under 6 years of age will not be permitted to attend.
- Chaperone requirement: one adult per every five children, ages 6 – 17
- Group size: the capacity for public program dates is 20-60 individuals. We do not require a minimum headcount per family.
- What’s included: *Beginning in March 2025* a pizza dinner will be included along with scheduled activities, evening snack, light breakfast and next-day admission to the Zoo.
- Timeframe
- Overnights: Select Saturdays, 5:30 pm-9:00 am.
- Twilight Safaris: Select Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 pm.
What To Bring
For both programs:
- comfortable walking shoes
- a filled water bottle
- weather-appropriate outerwear – ponchos/jackets
- bug spray/insect repellent
For Overnights:
- sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad, air mattress, or cot
- tent (individual, double, or 4-person tents encouraged)
- pajamas, personal care items
- change of clothes (showers not available)
- wagon (helpful to transport gear but not required)
Note: Please follow all Houston Zoo guidelines for food and drink items. Glass bottles, alcohol, and straws are prohibited. For a full list of Houston Zoo rules, please click here.
Sample Overnight Schedule
5:30 p.m. | Arrival and campsite setup* |
6:30 p.m. | Welcome and introductions |
6:45 p.m. | Animal presentation, activities, and night tour |
10:00 p.m. | Evening wrap up and prepare for bed |
11:00 p.m. | Lights out (quiet hours start) |
6:00 a.m. | Wake up, pack up, and load vehicles |
7:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
8:00 a.m. | Morning tour before Zoo opens |
9:00 a.m. | Program ends |
All times, excluding arrival and program end time, are approximate and subject to change.
*Pizza dinner will be available during campsite setup.
Sample Twilight Safari Schedule
5:30 p.m. | Arrival and check-in* |
5:45 p.m. | Welcome and introductions |
6:00 p.m. | Animal presentation, activities, and night tour |
8:30 pm | Return to education building, program ends |
*Pizza dinner will be available during campsite setup.
All Spring 2025 overnights will be held on the following Saturdays, from 5:30 pm-9:00 am:
March 1 | March 8 | March 15 | March 29* |
April 5 | April 12* | May 17 |
Full payment required at the time of reservation. Cost is $85/person.
2025 Twilight Safaris are offered on Thursdays based on interest. If you are interested in a Twilight Safari for your group, please email us at least 4 weeks in advance with the Thursday(s) you have in mind and we will work to accommodate your group. Twilight Safaris are held from 5:30-8:30pm.
Full payment required at the time of reservation. Cost is $45/person.
Note: Strikeouts indicate a sold out date. An asterisk indicates fewer than 20 spaces remaining.