The best parks in Dubai cost between nothing and AED 5 to enter, and most open daily from 8am to 10pm, later at weekends. Zabeel and Creek Park cost AED 5, Mushrif and Safa Park AED 3, and Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Nahda Pond Park, Al Ittihad Park and Dubai Hills Park are free. Children aged 2 and under and people of determination usually enter free. For barbecues, go to Mushrif or Al Mamzar; for cycling, Al Barsha Pond Park or Mushrif; for dogs, Al Ittihad Park or the Dubai Hills dog park.
At a glance
- Free parks
- Al Barsha Pond, Al Nahda Pond, Al Qusais Pond, Al Ittihad, Dubai Hills, Town Square, JLT, Al Sufouh, Quranic Park
- AED 3
- Mushrif, Safa Park
- AED 5
- Zabeel, Creek Park, Al Mamzar Beach Park
- Hours
- Usually 8am to 10pm, to 11pm at weekends
- Free entry
- Children 2 and under, people of determination
- Pay with
- Nol card or online at many municipal park gates
- Season
- October to April
Last verified: 13 October 2026 against Dubai Municipality park fees and an October 2026 roundup of park prices.
On this page
Dubai parks compared
| Park | Area | Entry | BBQ | Cycling | Pets | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zabeel Park | Zabeel | AED 5 | Designated areas | Paths | No | Central lawns, plus Dubai Frame and Garden Glow |
| Creek Park | Umm Hurair 2 | AED 5 | Designated areas | Paths | No | Creek views, Children’s City, the Dolphinarium |
| Mushrif Park | Mirdif, Al Khawaneej | AED 3, car AED 10 | Designated areas | Mountain bike trails | No | Big days out, forest trails, ziplines, pools |
| Safa Park | Al Wasl | AED 3 | Check | Paths | No | Lawns, train ride, fenced ladies’ area |
| Al Mamzar Beach Park | Al Mamzar | AED 5, car AED 30 | Designated areas | Paths and bike hire | No | Beach, pools and chalets; ladies’ days |
| Al Barsha Pond Park | Al Barsha 2 | Free | Not allowed | Cycle track | No | Running, cycling, courts and outdoor gym |
| Al Nahda Pond Park | Al Nahda 2 | Free | Check | Jogging and cycling tracks | No | Families in the north-east, free parking |
| Al Qusais Pond Park | Al Qusais | Free | Check | Walking tracks | No | A quick local play and picnic |
| Al Ittihad Park | Palm Jumeirah | Free | No | 3.2 km jogging track | Dog-friendly | Running and dog walks, open 24 hours |
| Dubai Hills Park | Dubai Hills Estate | Free; paid day pass for attractions | No | 2.5 km running track | Dog park | Splash park, skate park, ice rink, courts |
| Town Square Park | Dubailand | Free; rides extra | No | Paths | Check | Splash pad, carousel and train for small children |
| JLT Park | Jumeirah Lake Towers | Free | No | Paths | Check | Babies and toddlers |
| Al Sufouh Park | Al Sufouh | Free | No | Paths | No | A small, quiet park with two shaded play areas |
| Quranic Park | Al Khawaneej | Free; two attractions AED 5 each | No | 3 km track | No | Gardens, the Cave of Miracles and Glass House |
Dubai Municipality runs the big public parks, while community parks such as Dubai Hills Park, Al Ittihad Park, Town Square Park and JLT Park are run by their developers, so rules on pets and barbecues differ. Where the table says “check”, the rules are not clearly published; look for signs at the gate.
Dubai Hills Park
Dubai Hills Park, at the heart of Dubai Hills Estate, is free to enter and one of the best-equipped parks in the city. It has shaded play areas, sports courts, a 2.5 km running track and a fenced dog park near the Maple 2 entrance. Its paid attractions are a children’s splash park with slides and a big water bucket, a skate park with a junior section, and a synthetic ice rink, covered by a day pass that costs AED 55 for residents and AED 85 for visitors. Parking is free around the park, but it gets busy on weekend evenings.
Barbecue rules in Dubai parks
- Barbecues are only allowed in designated BBQ areas, which you will find at Mushrif Park, Al Mamzar Beach Park and other large municipal parks.
- Many parks, including Al Barsha Pond Park and most community parks, do not allow barbecues at all.
- Bring a raised grill and charcoal, never light fires on the grass, and leave the area clean.
- Barbecuing outside the designated areas can be fined. For every BBQ spot and the rules, see our BBQ areas in Dubai guide.
Pets, ladies’ areas and other rules
- Pets: not allowed in Dubai Municipality parks. Dogs are welcome at Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah and in the Dubai Hills Park dog park, on a lead outside the dog areas.
- Ladies’ areas and days: Safa Park has a fenced ladies’ area with separate entrances, and Al Mamzar Beach Park keeps Mondays and Wednesdays for women and children.
- Payment: many municipal park gates take payment by Nol card, or you can book online through Dubai Municipality’s Dubai Public Parks site; small stalls inside some parks take cash.
- General: keep music low, use the bins, cycle only on cycle tracks, and keep children within sight at the lakes and ponds.
Which park for what?
| You want | Go to |
|---|---|
| A barbecue with family | Mushrif Park or Al Mamzar Beach Park |
| Cycling and running | Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Ittihad Park, or Mushrif’s trails |
| Somewhere for the dog | Al Ittihad Park or the Dubai Hills dog park |
| Toddlers | JLT Park or Town Square Park |
| Water play | Dubai Hills Park splash park or Town Square’s splash pad |
| A big day out | Mushrif Park or Al Mamzar Beach Park |
| Central and easy | Zabeel Park, Creek Park or Safa Park, a few minutes from Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Creek |
| Something different | Quranic Park or the Ras Al Khor flamingos |
Best time to visit
October to April is park season, with daytime highs from the mid-20s to low 30s Celsius. In October and April, go in the late afternoon or evening, when the playgrounds have cooled down. Weekend afternoons from November onwards are the busiest, especially around the barbecue areas, so arrive by noon to get a good spot. From May to September, go after sunset, or choose parks with splash pads and plenty of shade.
Nature reserves and lakes
- Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: free flamingo hides near Downtown.
- Al Qudra Lakes: desert lakes, birdlife and the long cycle track.
- Love Lake: the heart-shaped lakes at Al Qudra.
Parks in the other emirates
| Emirate | Top parks | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Umm Al Emarat, Reem Central, Khalifa Park | Abu Dhabi city parks, Khalifa Park |
| Abu Dhabi reserves | Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and the salt lake | Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, Al Wathba Salt Lake |
| Sharjah | Al Noor Island, Sharjah National Park, Al Majaz Waterfront | Sharjah parks, Al Noor Island, Sharjah National Park, Al Majaz Waterfront |
| Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah | Al Zorah, Saqr Park and more | Parks in Ajman and RAK, Al Zorah Nature Reserve |
- Best public beaches in Dubai: free beaches and night swimming.
- Hiking in the UAE: trails from easy to hard.
- Dubai with kids: family days for every age.
Best parks in Dubai FAQs
What is the best park in Dubai?
It depends on the outing: Mushrif Park for a big day with barbecues and trails, Zabeel Park for central lawns near Dubai Frame, Al Barsha Pond Park for running and cycling, and Dubai Hills Park for a splash park, skate park and dog park.
How much is the entry fee for Dubai parks?
Zabeel Park, Creek Park and Al Mamzar Beach Park cost AED 5, Mushrif Park and Safa Park AED 3, and parks such as Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Nahda Pond Park, Al Ittihad Park and Dubai Hills Park are free.
Which parks in Dubai allow BBQ?
Only designated BBQ areas are allowed, at parks such as Mushrif Park and Al Mamzar Beach Park. Al Barsha Pond Park and most community parks do not allow barbecues.
Are dogs allowed in Dubai parks?
Not in Dubai Municipality parks. Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah is dog-friendly, and Dubai Hills Park has a fenced dog park.
Is Dubai Hills Park free?
Yes, entry is free. The splash park, skate park and ice rink need a day pass, which costs AED 55 for residents and AED 85 for visitors.
What are Dubai park timings?
Most large municipal parks open daily from 8am to 10pm, and until 11pm at weekends. Hours can change on public holidays and in Ramadan.