The UAE is one of the best-kept secrets for family camping. Beyond the city lights, you have sweeping red dunes, rocky wadis, and cool mountain plateaus within two hours of most Emirates. Here is how to make it a trip your kids will talk about for years.
Pick the Right Spot for Your Family
Not every camping location is family-friendly. For first-timers, Al Qudra Lakes in Dubai and Fossil Rock in Sharjah are excellent starting points — flat, accessible, and not too remote. If you want elevation and cooler temperatures, Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah is worth the drive, especially from October to March.
Timing Is Everything
The camping season in the UAE runs from mid-October to late March. Summer months are simply too hot — even overnight temperatures can stay above 35°C in the desert. For families with young children, aim for December through February. Nights are cool, mornings are crisp, and the kids will sleep well.
What to Pack
- Shelter: A good quality tent rated for desert wind. Pop-up tents are fine for one night; for longer trips invest in a proper canvas or tunnel tent.
- Sleeping gear: A sleeping bag rated to 5°C — desert nights get cold. Each person needs their own bag.
- Fire and cooking: A portable gas stove, lighter, and foil trays. Open fires are restricted in many areas — always check.
- Water: Minimum 3 litres per person per day. Bring more than you think you need.
- First aid: Include insect repellent, antihistamine, and a good torch with spare batteries.
- Entertainment: Star charts, binoculars, and a football go a long way in the desert.
Safety First
Always tell someone your exact location before you leave. Download an offline map and save the coordinates of your campsite. Keep a charged power bank with you. If you are camping in a remote area, never go alone — the buddy system applies even in the desert.
Leave No Trace
The UAE’s natural landscapes are fragile. Pack out every piece of rubbish, do not disturb wildlife, and avoid driving off established tracks. The families that come after you deserve the same view you enjoyed.
Family camping in the UAE is one of the most rewarding things you can do together. It builds resilience, sparks curiosity, and creates memories that no theme park can match. Start simple, build your kit over time, and the desert will keep calling you back.