Roar and Snore Campground: An Unforgettable Safari Sleepover in Escondido, CA

Roar and Snore Campground Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For Californians seeking an truly unique and immersive outdoor adventure, the Roar and Snore Campground at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, CA, offers an experience unlike any other. This is not your typical campground; it's an exclusive overnight safari sleepover designed to bring you closer to wildlife than ever before. Imagine drifting off to sleep with the sounds of animals, including the unmistakable roar of lions, echoing through the night, and waking up to the sight of giraffes and rhinos grazing just beyond your tent. While recent reviews indicate some temporary challenges due to ongoing construction and maintenance, the core concept of Roar and Snore remains incredibly appealing: exclusive after-hours access to the Safari Park, guided tours, and a chance to truly connect with the animal kingdom. It's a structured program that includes meals and activities, making it an all-inclusive and unforgettable "glamping" experience for families, youth groups, and even adults-only sessions. Despite some past concerns regarding tent conditions or water supply, the allure of sleeping inside a world-renowned wildlife park, with direct encounters and behind-the-scenes glimpses, continues to draw visitors eager for a wild California adventure.

Location and Accessibility

The Roar and Snore Campground is located within the expansive San Diego Zoo Safari Park, specifically at 32X3+66, Escondido, CA 92027, USA. This places it in a prime position within San Diego County, making it a highly accessible destination for a vast number of Californians. Escondido is situated just north of the city of San Diego, easily reachable via major freeways, which minimizes travel time for families and groups coming from Los Angeles, Orange County, and other parts of Southern California. The Safari Park itself is a well-established and renowned attraction, meaning excellent road infrastructure and clear signage guide visitors directly to the entrance. Upon arrival for the Roar and Snore experience, participants typically drop off their gear at a designated booth near preferred parking, then enter the park through the normal front entrance before meeting their camp guides. This streamlined check-in process ensures a smooth transition into the immersive adventure. While it offers a sense of being far removed in a wild safari environment, the convenience of its location provides the best of both worlds: a deep dive into nature without the extensive travel often required for similar experiences elsewhere. This accessibility contributes significantly to its suitability as a unique local getaway.

Services Offered

Safari-style tents: Various tent options including Classic (sleeping pads), Vista (cots, electrical outlets, fan, heater), and Premium (queen bed, cots, electrical outlets, fan, heater, wood floors, linens, storage).
Sleeping accommodations: Sleeping pads and/or cots are provided, with Premium tents offering actual beds and linens.
Buffet dinner: Typically includes options like hot dogs, hamburgers, and BBQ chicken, along with non-alcoholic drinks.
Evening snack: Often includes popcorn and additional non-alcoholic drinks.
S'mores by the campfire: A classic camping activity, usually around a giant communal campfire.
Buffet breakfast: Served the following morning.
Guided walking tours: After-hours tours to observe nocturnal animals and guided walks during the day.
Night vision safari (Supreme package): An upgrade option to view wildlife through night vision binoculars.
Wildlife Safari tram tour: Included with various packages, offering views of expansive savanna habitats.
Wildlife ambassador encounters: Exclusive viewing opportunities, especially with upgraded packages.
Restroom facilities: Communal bathrooms with flush toilets (showers are generally not available on-site and campers are advised to shower at home).
Lanterns: Battery-powered lanterns are typically provided inside tents.
Mobile phone service: Generally excellent cell service within the camp area.
Park re-entry: Guests receive hand stamps allowing them to explore the park before check-in and after check-out.
Preferred parking: Designated parking area for Roar and Snore guests.

Features / Highlights

Overnight stay inside a world-renowned safari park: The unparalleled opportunity to sleep amidst exotic animals, waking to their sounds.
Exclusive after-hours access: Witnessing the park and animals in a completely different light, away from the daytime crowds.
Lion roars: A signature experience, hearing lions roar throughout the night and in the early morning.
Up-close animal encounters: Opportunities to see animals like giraffes, rhinos, and various African and Asian species from unique vantage points near the tents.
Educational tours: Knowledgeable park staff provide insights into animal behavior, conservation efforts, and the park's mission.
Variety of tent options: Catering to different comfort levels, from traditional camping (Classic) to more luxurious "glamping" (Premium).
Themed experiences: Often offers specific "All Ages," "Adults Only," and "Girl Scout/Youth Group" nights with tailored programming.
Campfire activities: Traditional s'mores and storytelling enhance the camping atmosphere.
Night tours: Guided walks providing a chance to observe nocturnal animals, creating a truly unique viewing experience.
Convenient meals: Dinner, evening snack, and breakfast are included, simplifying the camping logistics for visitors.
Proximity to other park attractions: Ability to enjoy the full Safari Park experience before and after the sleepover.
Immersive natural sounds: Beyond the animal roars, the sounds of nature create a distinctive overnight ambiance.

Contact Information

Address: 32X3+66, Escondido, CA 92027, USA (San Diego Zoo Safari Park)

Phone for Reservations: (619) 718-3000 (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Reservations Sales team)

Email for general Roar & Snore questions: ParkCampCoord@sdzwa.org

Duty phone on the day of your event: (760) 535-7531

Website: https://sdzsafaripark.org/safaris/roar-snore-safaris

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The Roar and Snore Campground at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers an undeniably unique and profoundly suitable experience for Californians, especially those residing in Southern California. Its location in Escondido means that a truly exotic safari sleepover is within a comfortable driving distance for millions, making it an accessible adventure without the need for intercontinental travel. This local convenience allows families and groups to enjoy a world-class wildlife experience as a weekend getaway or a special occasion, rather than a once-in-a-lifetime distant journey. While some recent reviews have noted temporary inconveniences due to construction or water issues, it's crucial to recognize the unparalleled value of sleeping inside a renowned wildlife park. The inclusion of meals, guided tours, and exclusive after-hours animal viewing transforms a simple camping trip into an educational and thrilling safari. For children, the opportunity to hear lions roar at night and witness animals in their habitats at dawn is an indelible memory-making experience. For adults, the specialized adults-only nights provide a sophisticated and intimate way to engage with the park. The variety of tent options, from basic to premium, allows locals to tailor their comfort level to their budget, making this extraordinary experience attainable for diverse groups. Furthermore, the ability to re-enter the park before and after the sleepover maximizes the value of the visit. Roar and Snore isn't just about a place to sleep; it's about fostering a deeper connection to wildlife and conservation, all within the accessible and vibrant landscape of California. For Californians seeking adventure, education, and unforgettable memories in their own backyard, Roar and Snore remains a captivating choice.

Roar and Snore Campground Photos

Roar and Snore Campground Location

Roar and Snore Campground

California San Diego County Escondido San Pasqual Valley

32X3+66, Escondido, CA 92027, USA

Roar and Snore Campground Reviews

Updated review - Wish we could still recommend the Roar and Snore experience, but that wouldn't be honest or fair.We have been here in the past, and although it was a bit pricey for the somewhat short, and bare bones accommodations, it was still redeemable bc of the exclusive access and maybe the sense of fun rough'n it lol.That however, is no longer the case. We were told After about the reductions and although they are going through construction they made no mention of it when booking.So, we ended up spending a $1000 for an angry park employee to march us through the zoo to dirty, wet and moldy tents, and to be fed camp food buffet (the highlight of their accommodations) and then corraled back up and out the morning after.What changed from the last visit?They are doing construction so there was no:Bathrooms with hot water, no Elephant exhibit, no lions roaring (lots of lawn mowers and construction roars tho), no cheetah run, no campfire fun and storytime for the kids, no real interaction or guidance from the staff beyond occasional harassing some of the families (they were pretty snippy at quite a few of the parents and kids) ... Even their water supply was off?! Check out that picture, there was black b and brown bits in all the water. In like ALL the water, the hot water for tea, the cold water for drinking, the water for the kids hot chocolate, not sure what it was or why. We brought it to their attention and the first few times they just pulled the containers, but then by next morning, they just gave up and accepted it o guess idk . That part was weird.Oh well, the summary - The least it'll cost is $250 per person for: access to see sleeping tigers in their exhibit, the platypus enclosure in the dark, hot dogs and hamburgers dinner, motel 6 breakfast, a very restricted night few hours sleeping in 10 year old tents with mold on the walls, holes in the bottom and you get to hang out with some grumpy camp dudes who clearly don't want to be there.It was worth it a few years ago, but sadly it's just gone downhill terribly - no longer recommend it. Maybe when they finish construction in 2026?
Apr 08, 2025 · Gabriel Ramos
July 14, 2024. The experience was great. Park staff was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Lots of fond memories. Tent #27 (not #22) was not so nice (sides of tent had awful stains that looked like mold on the inside and a slight smell too, our alcohol impregnated hand wipes didn’t do anything). Cost for our basic package was $145 + park entry of $79 per a person. So my son and I paid a total of $448 (plus $20 parking at the entrance gate). This is for one over night camp out which is your sleeping bags on a 1 inch vinyl covered foam mat. Buffet dinner, s’mores by the campfire, non alcoholic drinks and buffet breakfast are all included along with guided tours during the day and at night. Let’s start with checkin which is 4:00 PM ( you can arrive earlier the same day and visit the park prior to checking in, get a hand stamp so you can go into the park after checkin, the camp out ends at 9:00AM the next day. Get another hand stamp so you can still re enter and explore the park some more if you like). The adventure starts when you drop off your bags and camp gear at a booth near the preferred parking lot. You then enter the park from the normal front entrance and meet up with your camp guides and tour the park during your walk to the camp site. Dinner starts promptly at 5:00PM then dessert is making s’mores at a giant camp fire. Then everyone gets a break to settle in to there tents. That’s when we got a little scared at our accommodations. You can say bare minimal just no dirt floor though. There is no power outlets inside the tent unless you up grade so bring your backup power packs. There are two power outlets that are located next to the light poles that light up the camp area. In the tent was a battery powered lantern that was attached to the roof of the tent. Cell service was excellent. Anyways, there was a night tour of the park to view all the nocturnal animals (flashlights are a must but keep them low powered for the walking path, shining at the cages and animals are prohibited) that was awesome and took about 1.5 hours. Once back at camp, pop corn and drinks were provided before bed time. Lights out was at 10:00PM. It’s pitch black at night and you can hear different animals communicating. And yes you do hear the lions roar through out the night. By both the male and female lions. Wake up is at 6:00AM, pack up the gear for pickup, then breakfast by 7:00. Walk through the park to a tram tour of the wild open space back safari area. Walk back to the front entrance by 9:00 for check out. Pick up your gear outside put it in the car in the preferred parking lot. Go back in the park to enjoy the other parts that you did’t get to see. The night tour gives the the park a whole different feel which not everyone are able to experience. Well worth the 2.5 hour drive from LA. Interestingly, there were no mosquitoes and other flying bugs during our stay.sThere was a strong smell of centranella in the air. Ants were there on the picnic table.
Aug 14, 2024 · Dave Wong
Did Roar and Snore with our girl scout troop. Was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Waking up to the lions roaring all night was so cool. Looking over the rinos and giraffes from our tent was also nice. Overall the whole experience was awesome. Walking the zoo at night in the dark will be a memory for a lifetime.
Sep 22, 2024 · Katy Brown
Not kid or family friendLikely a good fit for adults 👍We recommended the Zoo itself, much better experience and overall customer satisfaction.Our review was based on 3 separate families with kids ages ranging from 1-13.The younger kids reported enjoying the hot dogs, hot chocolate, and s'moresThe older kids shared they didn't not enjoy it very much saying, "it's boring, and cold at night with not a lot to see"The parents said, it's not for kids and overall they would not attend again.Being how it cost over $6000 not including our donation to the foundation, we would suggest some of the other so experience for families
Apr 08, 2025 · Pump Track Orange County
The roar and snore would of been awesome but they had a wedding party going till 10pm so all we could hear was music and no animals we wasted our $1000. I wish I could do a better review. our tent is about 300 ft from the party. even doing the camp fire the music and yelling is louder than the animals. our experience was on 6/22/2024.
Jun 23, 2024 · Christopher Roberts