Dubai Winter Camping 2026–27: Al Ruwayyah, Hatta and Rules

Dubai winter camping opens 1 November with 600 Al Ruwayyah camps, caravan plots and daily rentals. Who can book, the rules, and where visitors can camp.

The first truly cool evening of the season always changes the mood of this city. Car boots fill with firewood and hardware shops stack charcoal by the door. Soon every conversation turns to one question: where are we camping this year? On Monday 26 October, Dubai Municipality gave Emirati families a much bigger answer. Registration for the 2026–2027 Dubai winter camping season at Al Ruwayyah is now open. Capacity has more than doubled, and there are several firsts, including caravan plots and ready-made camps you can rent by the day.

This guide explains what has been announced, who can book and which rules come with a permit. Because Al Ruwayyah plots are aimed at UAE nationals, it also shows where residents and visitors can enjoy Dubai winter camping elsewhere this season.

Table of Contents

What Dubai Municipality Announced

The announcement is the biggest shake-up of Dubai winter camping in years. According to Gulf News, which published the story at 10:40 on Monday, the season runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. Khaleej Times reported the same details two minutes later. Both papers say capacity at Al Ruwayyah rises by roughly 120 per cent, to 600 camps.

Season dates: 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027.
Capacity: 600 camps, about 120 per cent more than in previous seasons.
Plot sizes: standard plots of 400 square metres, plus the return of double plots of up to 800 square metres.
New for 2026–27: 50 dedicated caravan plots, offered for the first time.
Also new: 10 fully equipped camps for daily rental, for families who would rather not build a camp.
Community spaces: 10 areas set aside for winter events, family gatherings, community programmes and seasonal markets.

Bader Anwahi leads the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality. He told Khaleej Times that the expansion gives UAE nationals and their families more chances to enjoy winter “in a safe, well-organised environment”. He also made clear that this season is a foundation, not a finished product. Further upgrades to facilities and services are planned for later years.

Guests seated on rugs around a campfire at a desert camp near Dubai at night, part of the Dubai winter camping tradition — A night around the fire is the heart of any desert camp. Photo: Edgar El, Wikimedia Commons, “Dubai – desert Camp”, CC BY 3.0 (resized).

Who Can Book an Al Ruwayyah Winter Camp

This is the detail most newcomers miss. Both newspapers state that registration is for UAE nationals. The municipality’s own post on X also frames the new options as greater flexibility for Emirati families. The online form asks for an Emirates ID, a mobile number and an email address.

Bookings are made through the official portal at wintercamp.dm.gov.ae or the DubaiNow app. Seasonal reservations last between three and six months. The caravan plots and daily rental camps have separate booking options, each with its own requirements. The announcement does not say whether residents or tourists can book the daily camps. Until the municipality says otherwise, treat any claim to the contrary with caution.

The rules that come with a permit

Once a permit is issued and the plot is marked out, holders may design and equip their camp as they wish. The key conditions reported by both papers are simple:

Install temporary fencing around the plot.
Use the camp only for family purposes and camping activities.
Follow the municipality’s approved regulations for the site.

Government entities have their own allocated spaces and may set up camps to suit their needs.

More Than Tents: Markets, Food and Activities

For everyone else, the most interesting change is that Al Ruwayyah is becoming a winter destination rather than a field of private plots. Gulf News reports that small businesses have been offered dedicated sites. They will run food and drink outlets, desert activities and recreational experiences for campers and visitors. Dubai Municipality first invited applications for these commercial sites on 18 September through its investment platform.

In practice, this suggests a livelier site this season, with seasonal markets and family programmes alongside the camps. However, operators, opening hours and public access have not yet been announced. Check the municipality’s channels before making a special trip.

Dubai Winter Camping for Visitors and Residents

Not eligible for an Al Ruwayyah permit? Dubai winter camping is still very much on the table. Dubai Municipality guidance, reported by Gulf News, says a short overnight desert trip generally needs no prior permission. Long-term or seasonal camping, by contrast, requires municipal approval and a fee. Beaches, nature reserves and managed sites can have their own rules, so always read the signs.

Turquoise water of Hatta Dam framed by the rocky Hajar Mountains in Hatta, Dubai, close to the Hatta camping grounds — Hatta, Dubai’s mountain enclave, is the easiest place for visitors to camp legally. Photo: Srivath, Wikimedia Commons, “Hatta Dam View”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Hatta: the easiest legal option

Dubai’s mountain enclave is the simplest choice for first-timers. Hatta Camping Grounds, beside Hatta Wadi Hub, is an open area where you may pitch a tent or park a caravan. Basic facilities and washrooms are close by. If you would rather not sleep on the ground, Sedr Trailers and Damani Lodges offer a softer landing. Without a car, take the RTA Hatta Express bus (H02) from Dubai Mall. The journey takes about 90 minutes and costs AED 25 on a Nol card, according to Visit Hatta.

Gulf News also recommends Suhaila Lakes in Hatta as a peaceful spot for families and beginners in its UAE camping guide published on Monday morning.

Organised desert camps

For a single night with no equipment, an organised desert camp or glamping package is the easiest route. Operators supply the tents, bedding and dinner, and most include transfers from the city. Before booking, read our complete guide to Dubai desert adventures and our explainer on dune bashing in Dubai to help you choose a reputable trip.

Not at Al Qudra Lakes

Al Qudra is lovely at sunset, but the lakes lie within the Al Marmoum Conservation Reserve. Dubai Municipality signs there ban camping, bonfires, barbecues and dog walking, as Khaleej Times reported when they went up. Visit for the birdlife, then pitch your tent elsewhere.

Aerial view of the man-made Al Qudra Lakes surrounded by sand in the Al Marmoum Conservation Reserve, Dubai — Al Qudra Lakes sit inside the Al Marmoum Conservation Reserve, where camping and fires are banned. Photo: Charbel Zakhour, Wikimedia Commons, “Al Qudra Lakes from Above”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Practical Tips for Your First Night in the Desert

Desert nights in December and January can be surprisingly cold, and many first-timers underestimate how much kit they need. Gulf News also warned on Monday of five days of rain across the UAE, with winds of up to 50km/h. Check the National Centre of Meteorology forecast before you leave, and avoid wadis when rain is expected.

Pack warm layers, a proper sleeping bag and more water than you think you need.
Carry a first-aid kit, a torch and a fully charged power bank.
Download offline maps and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
Use a raised fire pit and keep flames well away from tents.
Never use a barbecue or charcoal inside a tent.
Take every scrap of rubbish home. Municipality signs at Al Qudra warn of AED 500 fines for leaving waste in the desert.
Do not drive deep into the dunes without a capable 4×4, recovery gear and an experienced companion.

For more ideas this winter, see what is on at Global Village Season 31 and the new season at Dubai Safari Park.

Conclusion

The new Al Ruwayyah season shows that Dubai treats winter camping as part of city life, not a fringe hobby. With 600 camps, caravan plots, daily rentals and space for markets, the site should feel busier than ever from 1 November. Plots are for UAE nationals, but nobody needs to miss out. Hatta, organised desert camps and a well-planned overnight trip all offer the same cool air, crackling fire and starry sky. That, in the end, is what Dubai winter camping is all about.

FAQ

When does the Dubai winter camping season start?

The Al Ruwayyah season runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. Registration opened on 26 October 2026.

Can tourists book a camp at Al Ruwayyah?

Reports say registration is for UAE nationals and requires an Emirates ID. The announcement does not confirm whether visitors can book the new daily rental camps.

How do I register?

Use wintercamp.dm.gov.ae or the DubaiNow app. Seasonal bookings last three to six months, with separate options for caravan plots and daily camps.

Do I need a permit to camp overnight in Dubai?

Dubai Municipality guidance reported by Gulf News says a short overnight desert trip generally needs no permit. Seasonal camping does, and reserves such as Al Marmoum ban it outright.

Where can visitors camp legally?

Hatta Camping Grounds near Hatta Wadi Hub is the easiest option for Dubai winter camping. Organised desert camps suit anyone without equipment.

Key Takeaways

Dubai winter camping at Al Ruwayyah runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027.
Capacity rises about 120 per cent to 600 camps, with 50 caravan plots and 10 daily rental camps.
Bookings are for UAE nationals through wintercamp.dm.gov.ae or the DubaiNow app.
Ten community spaces will host events, family programmes and seasonal markets.
Visitors can camp at Hatta or join an organised desert camp, but not at Al Qudra Lakes.

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