AGES 7 AND UP
Ever wonder what it would be like to spend the night at the Zoo? Now you can find out with a Dallas Zoo "Lights Out" overnight experience! Join us as we show you the fascinating world of animals through activities, special talks, and tours of the Zoo at night.
Watch a video about overnights!
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN AN OVERNIGHT?
Overnights are available Friday and Saturday nights to groups of all sizes and kids ages 7 and up. Overnights are not exclusive to your group and we may book multiple groups in one night. All overnights include:
- An after-hours tour of ZooNorth.
- A late night snack (eat dinner before you come) and a continental breakfast.
- Up close encounters with some of our Education animals.
- An official Dallas Zoo "Lights Out" overnight patch for each youth participant.
- A morning Monorail Safari ride (weather dependent, first train leaves the station at 9:30am).
- Entrance to the Zoo the following day for all participants and chaperones.
Check-in begins at 6:30 p.m. Check-out is at 10:30 a.m. the following day.
School overnights can be accommodated Thursday - Saturday nights.
Family overnights are available twice a year on Mother's Day and Father's Day.
Please note: We require one adult chaperone per ten participants, additional chaperones are always welcome. Chaperones must accompany participants throughout the overnight experience, including all walks, tours, and activities. Boys and girls sleep in separate areas. Chaperones must enforce and abide by Dallas Zoo rules. We do not allow outside food or beverages (except water, no glass bottles) on our programs. Smoking and alcohol consumption are not allowed during our programs. We reserve the right to search any coolers you bring into the zoo, and if you are found with alcohol, you may be asked to leave the program with your group, and your overnight will not be refunded.
Overnight Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
OVERNIGHT COST
Overnights are $45/participant. Chaperones are free at a 1:10 ratio. Overnights are booked on a first come, first served basis and completed registration forms , with payment, are required to reserve your spot. If you are unsure of your final number, please pay for the minimum 15 people and put an estimate of your total number of people on the reservation form. If you are interested in dates other than those listed below, please call us at 469-554-7300. We recommend booking early as spaces fill quickly!
NEW THIS YEAR! Add on a special Badge Program to your Overnight experience and receive 5% off the total cost of your registration!
Night Programs Registration Form (PDF) 
OVERNIGHT SLEEPING OPTIONS
- African Safari – Guests will spend the night in our African exhibit and/or African classroom areas. In the morning, wake up with the animals and experience breakfast on the majestic deck of the Simmons Safari Base Camp as you watch elephants, giraffes, and more explore the Giants of the Savanna! This experience can accommodate up to 100 guests. Please note that groups of over 25 may be split into separate sleeping spaces.
- Classroom Camp-In – Guests will spend the night in our educational classrooms or event spaces. In the morning, breakfast will be served in our picnic areas or indoors in inclement weather. This experience can accommodate up to 110 guests. Please note that groups of over 50 may be split into separate sleeping spaces.
- Herpetologist’s Headquarters – Guests will spend the night sleeping in the exhibit spaces of our super cool Reptile & Amphibian Building! In the morning, breakfast will be served in our picnic areas or indoors in inclement weather. This experience can accommodate up to 200 guests.
- Starlight Camp Out – Guests will spend a night under the stars in their own tents on our grassy Cat Green. In the morning, breakfast will be served under the Cat Green Pavilion or indoors in inclement weather. This experience can accommodate up to 20, 8’x10’ tents.
- Sleeping with the Fishes at the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park - Click here for more information.
OVERNIGHT DATES
APRIL 2012 OVERNIGHTS
Friday, April 13, 2012 Sold Out!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
MAY 2012 OVERNIGHTS
Friday, May 4, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012 *Special Mother's Day Overnight
Friday, May 18, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
JUNE 2012 OVERNIGHTS
Friday, June 1, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012 *Special Father's Day Overnight
JULY 2012 OVERNIGHTS
Friday, July 13, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
AUGUST 2012 OVERNIGHTS
Friday, August 3, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Night Programs Registration Form (PDF)
Please note: The Dallas Zoo and Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park reserves the right to cancel any program for reasons we deem appropriate. Programs that have not met the minimum number of participants within two weeks of the scheduled program date may be cancelled. In the event that we cancel your program, a full refund will be issued and individuals will be contacted directly. You will be notified within five (5) working days of receipt of your registration if the program for which you registered for is full. If you cancel a program with the Dallas Zoo or Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park, a program credit may be issued based on circumstance. The credit may be used for any education program or camp at the Dallas Zoo.
NEW! "SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES AQUARIUM OVERNIGHTS" AT THE CHILDREN'S AQUARIUM AT FAIR PARK!
Guests will spend the night literally…sleeping with the fishes! Sleep in and among our 5 aquatic zones and thousands of fish in the galleries of the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park. Take a special, guided tour in the evening, participate in activities and crafts, get a delicious nighttime snack and then in the morning, a continental breakfast and a special keeper talk!
Check-in begins at 7:00 p.m. Check-out is at 10:00 a.m. the following morning.
Chaperones: We require one adult chaperone per ten participants, additional chaperones are always welcome. Chaperones must accompany participants throughout the overnight experience, including all walks, tours, and activities. Boys and girls sleep in separate areas. Chaperones must enforce and abide by Children's Aquarium at Fair Park rules. We do not allow outside food or beverages (except water, no glass bottles) on our programs. Smoking and alcohol consumption are not allowed during our programs. We reserve the right to search any coolers you bring into the aquarium, and if you are found with alcohol, you may be asked to leave the program with your group, and your overnight will not be refunded.
Overnights are for organized groups and cost $40/person (no member discount). Chaperones are free at a 1:10 ratio. Overnights are booked on a first come, first serve basis. You must submit a completed Aquarium Overnight registration form with payment to reserve your spot. If you are interested in dates other than those listed below, please call us at 469-554-7300. We recommend booking early as spaces fill quickly!
Please note, family overnights are not currently available at the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park. Families may enroll in special Family Only overnights at the Dallas Zoo.
AVAILABLE DATES
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012 SOLD OUT
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012 SOLD OUT
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Registration Form for Aquarium Overnight (PDF)
Please note: The Dallas Zoo and Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park reserves the right to cancel any program for reasons we deem appropriate. Programs that have not met the minimum number of participants within two weeks of the scheduled program date may be cancelled. In the event that we cancel your program, a full refund will be issued and individuals will be contacted directly. You will be notified within five (5) working days of receipt of your registration if the program for which you registered for is full. If you cancel a program with the Dallas Zoo or Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park, a program credit may be issued based on circumstance. The credit may be used for any education program or camp at the Dallas Zoo.
