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Colorado zoo offering ‘Overnight with the Animals’ staycation experience

By July 24, 2025 | updated 5 months ago

Pueblo Zoo.jpg
Overnight with the Animals will take place at the Pueblo Zoo from Aug. 9-10.
O'Dell Isaac, The Gazette

Colorado families looking for a fun, affordable “staycation” this summer should consider Overnight with the Animals at the Pueblo Zoo, officials said in a news release.

The annual overnight campout experience takes place Aug. 9-10 and features exclusive tours, camp games, dinner and breakfast, as well as all-day admission to the zoo the following morning. Families will be able to pitch a tent and fall asleep to exotic animal sounds, according to special events coordinator Vicki Pelletier.

“It’s almost like camping in the Serengeti,” Pelletier said. “Parents and children will have access to sights and sounds they won’t see or hear anywhere else. And, of course, they’re going to hear the Big Guy.”

The “Big Guy” is Khari, a 4-year-old male African lion who often likes to start his morning with a roar, Pelletier said.

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When the overnighters wake up the following morning, they will be able to tour the zoo.

“That’s probably the best time of day to go out and watch the animals, because the keepers are out there feeding them and interacting with them,” Pelletier said.

It’s also significantly cooler in the mornings. According to the National Weather Service, the average high August temperature in Pueblo is 90 degrees, and many zoo animals prefer to shelter themselves from the heat.

“For a lot of our animals, especially during this time of year, the early morning hours are the best time to see them,” said zoo spokesman Kyle Davis. “You have better access to animals that you might not get to see during the warmest parts of the day.”

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The event is $60 per person for zoo members and $70 for non-members. Registration for the sleepover event is capped at 60 people, which helps keep the experience “more intimate,” officials said. Campers must be at least 5 years old, and all children must be accompanied by a parent.

Families should bring a tent, sleeping equipment, a change of clothes, good walking shoes and a flashlight. Snacks and beverages are optional, but no alcohol is allowed. Anyone with food or mobility issues should alert staff ahead of time, officials said.

“It’s a great event for kids, but parents love it, too,” Pelletier said. “It makes great memories — something you can share with your children, and maybe one day they can share the same experience with their children.”

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