If you’ve ever been called a sloth, you were probably offended. After all, sloths are lazy, slow-moving, and enjoy frequent naps – all characteristics that we hold in a negative light. Well, we think that sloths get a bad rap that’s completely unfair. Once you see a sloth in real life, you’ll be absolutely charmed by these adorable creatures. Visit the Sloth Center Sanctuary at the Zoological Wildlife Conservation Center, and you’ll have the opportunity to play with them, and even have a sleepover!

Visit The Sloth Center Sanctuary for an animal encounter unlike any other. The sanctuary is not open to the public. You'll need an appointment to meet these sloths, so make sure to call in advance.
Sloth Center Sanctuary/Google
Address: 74320 Larson Road, Rainier, OR, 97048
The sanctuary is committed to the conservation of sloths, and takes in around eight new sloths every year. Sloths come to the center when they've been rescued from the black market, or from people who have tried to keep them illegally as pets.
Sarah Miller/Google
Are you ready to snuggle some sloths? You can choose from three different encounters. The Hold a Sloth encounter is offered on a very limited basis to ensure that the sloths don't get stressed.
management/Tripadvisor
A docent will show you the correct way to hold the sloth, then you'll wait for the sloth to climb up on your lap to snuggle. During the encounter, you'll want to turn off your cell phone and be very quiet and still.

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You can feed and pet sloths with the Sloths Ed-Zoo-Cation encounter. This 45-minute visit is offered most Saturdays. You'll interact closely with these beautiful animals, and see them up close.
Sloth Center Sanctuary/Google
Once you meet these beautiful creatures, you'll absolutely fall in love! They're gentle, sweet, and friendly.
For the ultimate sloth experience, book the Sloth Sleepover, and stay overnight!
Sloth Center Sanctuary/Google
A docent will be on hand to educate you about the sloths, and you'll be in an enclosure with several friendly sloths. Your docent will help you pet and interact with your new friends, and you'll sleep in a tent cot. During the course of the sleepover, the sloths will need some breaks from human interaction, so you'll read or relax in your tent.
In the morning, wake up to the adorable face of a sloth!
Sloth Center Sanctuary/Google
The Sloth Sleepover is limited to eight guests at a time. You can book a private sleepover with your own group, or join other sloth lovers in a mixed group.
The Sloth Sleepover includes an "I Slept With A Sloth" t-shirt, complimentary beverage, and everything you need for a comfortable night's sleep.
Sloth Center Sanctuary/Google
You'll want to bring some water, a camera (no flash!), and something comfortable to sleep in.

To avoid stressing the sloths, opportunities for sloth encounters are limited. Drop in visits are not allowed here, and you'll want to book your visit well in advance to get a spot. While educating the public is one of the center's goals, its main priority is the health and well-being of these gentle animals.

Learn more about how you can play with sloths on the Sloth Center Sanctuary’s website, then tag all the friends that you want to take with you for a sleepover here.

Looking for another overnight adventure with wildlife? Check out this overnight aquarium adventure where you can sleep with sharks.

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