With everything from golden deserts to rugged mountains and tranquil beaches, the UAE indeed is a land of varied landscapes that gives nature lovers several options for camping. From some isolated desert oasis to lush, verdant valleys and secret coastal retreats, camping in UAE is becoming a new trend. Starting from free-of-cost desert campsites to waterside lakeside retreats, these places promise breathtaking views, thrilling experience, and good time spent with families and friends in company.
Here is a guide to the best camping spots in UAE to get away from nature and enjoy the outdoors.
Golden Sands and Starry Nights: Best Desert Escapes
Al Qudra Lakes, Dubai
For those looking for free camping sites in Dubai, Al Qudra might be your best option it is near oasis in the desert. Situated on the outskirts of Dubai, this place is really the best option for camping, star-gazing, and barbecuing under the open sky. The artificial lakes, with sand dunes all around, provide amazing backdrops for sunset selfies and views. The place is also totally devoid of any noise from city life, so if the sky is clear, it is a very good spot for stargazing. Whether you have camped before or doing this for the first time, Al Qudra Lakes should be a must-visit place on your Dubai camping list.
Liwa Oasis, Abu Dhabi
None beats the sea of rolling dunes and other dramatic desert landscapes of the Liwa Oasis in the Rub' al Khali desert of Abu Dhabi for a real desert camping experience. This one is for those seeking an adventure under the stars. The surrounding desert stretches give a scenic escape into the emptiness away from city noise; its seclusion also promises star-studded skies. Camping in Liwa requires a bit of preparation because it is easy to get lost in the desert. Make sure you have a working GPS before embarking on this unforgettable desert adventure.
Lahbab Desert, Dubai
Among all the camping spots in UAE , the Lahbab Desert is crowd favourite place for all camping. It has something more to offer than any other desert spot in Dubai. Famous for housing one of the most magnificent sand dunes, including the popular ‘Big Red’- a 300-foot dune, ideal for dune bashing and adrenaline-fueled action. Besides dune bashing, the Lahbab Desert also offers outstanding facilities for stargazing and is a perfect place for a barbecue with family and friends. For an added level of adventure, daring campers can even venture to a ghost village named Al Madam nearby for an unusual and eerie night-time adventure.
4. Mleiha, Sharjah
If you want to go camping in UAE and love history, then Mleiha in Sharjah is your dreamland. Only a little more than an hour from Sharjah, Mleiha is ideal for desert camping right next to exciting archeological sites such as the Fossil Rock, where you will come across ancient marine fossils. It's a haven for hikers and adventurers that guides through trails of the region's unique rocky terrain. Mleiha is desert camping at its best with added historical value, rendering it a thrilling and instructive destination.
Escape to the Mountains:UAE’s Rugged Beauty Awaits
Wadi Shawka, Ras Al Khaimah
With a perfect combination of rugged mountains, lush greenery, and streams soothingly cool, Wadi Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah is the one place for camping in UAE that every person would love to go to. Entrance to this valley is free, and there is enough area to set your tent up. Some beautiful trails for hiking and trekking too could be found through this area for more adventurous campers. Be it a day-long picnic or staying a few nights with their camp gear to spend under a star-laden sky, Wai Shawka is one of the best places in UAE for night camping and gives the finest possible means of being closer to nature while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the valley. It especially looks more attractive during the cold months when the flowing streams add to the beauty of the valley.
Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah
Camping places in UAE have this spot as one of the most celebrated ones and for more extreme altitude head straight to Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Describing itself as possessing the highest mountain in UAE, Jebel Jais is a haven for campers, offering pleasing mountain air, stunning views, and the ideal place for a family or a group of friends to have a barbecue. This no-frills camping ground is the ultimate, most authentic experience in mountain camping for those people who love the outdoors. Rise early morning in the day and do not forget to witness the shamelessly beautiful sunrise and the dramatic view of the panoramic mountains around it. Jebel Jais presents a very well-known hiking trail for its adventurous visitors.
Camping sites in UAE by the Water: Serene Lakes and Fun Escapes
Suhaila Lake in Hatta
Suhaila Lake became part of the camping in UAE list only recently. Suhaila Lake provides the best venue for nature lovers who need to keep themselves far away from busy city life. This is one of the best campsites in the Hatta area, offering very beautiful scenery. Entry is free, making it one of the best campsites in Hatta that features beautiful nature everywhere around and plenty of amenities to have a wonderful camping experience. During camps here, visitors can engage in several outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and cycling. Be it a short weekend or a peaceful night you require; Suhaila Lake will be the ideal answer for all types of campers.
Al Wathba Lake Camp, Abu Dhabi
If you are searching for a camping site near me and live in Abu Dhabi then this place might be ideal for you situated a little outside of the town, Al Wathba Lake Camp is a family-friendly campsite that lives amidst serenity at its very best. Surrounded by heaps of outdoor activities, this place is ideally positioned for people seeking to enjoy some peaceful camp amongst greenery and wildlife. Many picnic sites, volleyball courts, and cycling paths surround the calm and peaceful lake makes it one of the best free camping sites in Abu Dhabi. This lake has 13 campsites around its location, guaranteeing Al Wathba to be an unforgettable experience for the camper young or old.
Coastal Gems: From Tranquil Beaches to Scenic Views
Al Aqah Beach, Fujairah
If you are really a sea person and would rather have coastal camping, then head to Al Aqah Beach, one of the best free camping sites in Fujairah. Its beauty promises no less than striking views across the Gulf of Oman. Another good place for pitching your tents and getting ready for a tranquil night is just beside the water; one could roam around and even visit some wadis with historical buildings standing around, thus fulfilling both relaxation and adventure. Having calm waters with soothing sounds, the serene environment is highly recommended for a camping site at which one wants to spend his/her leisure time just under the sky.
Masafi-Dibba Road, Fujairah
For a really panoramic camping experience, offering sceneries of desert plains and rocky mountains, head down to the Masafi-Dibba road in Fujairah. Great for an enjoyable drive, followed by a picnic or just a short stay in the camps, changes in landscape throughout the way make it ideal for photography. Nature lovers can feel the tranquility of the mountains around them.
So don’t wait and rent a car in UAE with Beno, pack in your gear, call in your loved ones, and get ready to behold the beauty of UAE at the most unique camping sites.
Happy camping!
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