This is no ordinary camping trip!
Imagine waking up to the roar of lions or hearing the early morning call of gibbons. Come spend the night at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. It’s the best way to see the Zoo’s animals after hours and have the park all to yourself.
Your overnight excursion will include:
- An evening snack
- A keeper-led tour of an exhibit area (see choices below)
- A flashlight hike through the Zoo to check out the awesome nocturnal animals
- A good night's sleep in a tent, provided by FONZ, under
a blanket of stars on Lion/Tiger Hill.
(You will not be asked to share your tent with a stranger.) - A family-friendly scavenger hunt
- A continental breakfast
Plus, the chance to say you spent the night at the Zoo!
FONZ Members Only
To sign up, you must hold a current FONZ membership at the Household level or higher. Participants in family overnights may bring two additional children as guests. A maximum of six participants may sign up per registration.
Adult-only Snore & Roars are available to all membership levels.
Snore & Roar campers sleep in four-person tents. Participants are never asked to share their tent with strangers. Large groups cannot be accommodated.
Ages
Adults and children ages ages six and older. A paying adult must accompany anyone under 18 and a minimum of one adult must chaperone every three children (under 18).
Participants in adult-only overnights must be 21 or older.
Time
6 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. the following day.
A small snack is provided, but participants should eat dinner before coming to the Zoo. All Zoo restaurants close at 5 p.m.
Scout Snooze
Your Boy or Girl Scout Troop can enjoy a Snore & Roar designed just for them with activities and tours to help learn about conservation and wildlife while spending a wild night at the Zoo. 
Learn more.
Snore & Roars are not just for kids!
Adult-only programs include wine and cheese, a two-hour, keeper-led tour, flashlight tour of the Zoo, and continental breakfast. Learn more.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation requests received at least four weeks prior to the start of the overnight will receive a 75-percent refund. Transfer requests received at least four weeks prior to the start of the overnight will be charged a 10-percent administrative fee. Please email the FONZ Education Office with cancellation and transfer requests. No refunds or changes will be made for less than four weeks notice. Snore & Roar overnights go on rain or shine.
Tour Choices
Enjoy an exclusive, keeper-led tour of one of the following areas.
Amazonia
Take your family on a romp through the rainforest where you’ll have an evening encounter with amphibians, fish, freshwater rays, birds and free-ranging monkeys.
FEE: $80 per person
DATES: June 9, August 11, September 8, September 28
American Trail
All New! Come join us on an adventure of our newest exhibit celebrating the remarkable diversity of American species. Visit animals such as beavers, otters, and American bald eagles and hear some of their conservation success stories.
FEE: $130 per person
DATES: September 28
Asia Trail
A true after-hours hot spot in the center of D.C., our Asia Trail is a hub of activity with sloth bears, clouded leopards, fishing cats, Asian small-clawed otters, red pandas, and giant pandas. Please note: We do not guarantee the opportunity to see giant pandas.
FEE: $130 per person
DATES: June 22, July 20, August 3, September 8
Bird House
From cute little kiwi and terrific toucans to fabulous flamingos and cool kori bustards (the largest birds that can fly), the Bird House is home to hundreds of feathered favorites. Visit them and get a keeper’s insights into the wonderful world of birds.
FEE: $80 per person
DATES: June 1, June 23, July 6, July 20, August 10, August 18, August 25
Cheetah Conservation Station
Chase a cheetah before catching some Z’s. Learn about some of their neighbors at the Zoo, including dama gazelles, scimitar-horned oryx, maned wolves, and Grevy’s zebras.
FEE: $130 per person
DATES: June 1, June 9, July 13
Elephants/Commissary
What does it take to feed a 9,000-pound elephant? Feast your eyes on the Zoo’s new larger-than-life exhibit, Elephant Trails. Then meet a Zoo nutritionist and go on a behind-the-scenes tour to see where all of the diets for the Zoo’s animals are designed and prepared.
FEE: $130 per person
DATES: August 24, September 7, September 15, September 21, September 29
Great Apes
Wake up with your primate cousins in the Ape House and see how they start their day. How does their morning routine compare to yours?
FEE: $130 per person
DATES: June 30, July 13, August 17
Great Cats/Kids' Farm
No time for a cat nap! It’s Snore & Roar gone carnivore—your chance to learn about lions and tigers. Afterwards, moooove on over to the Kids’ Farm, sponsored by State Farm ® with a hands-on lesson on what it takes to care for farm life at the Zoo.
FEE: $130 per person
DATES: June 8, June 29, July 7, July 21, August 18
Invertebrates
Being spineless can be cool. In fact, most animals lack backbones. Learn about the giant Pacific octopus, corals, golden orb spiders, and other incredible invertebrates.
FEE: $80 per person
DATES: June 15, June 23, July 6, September 22
Reptile Discovery Center
Small MammalsQuestions?
Email us.
