Camping in Dubai works in two ways. For a family winter camp of three to six months, Dubai Municipality issues permits for serviced plots in Al Aweer, with applications usually opening in the second half of October for a season running 1 November to 30 April. For a night or a weekend, use designated areas such as the Al Qudra camping zones, the official campsites in Hatta, a licensed desert camp, or Jebel Ali Public Beach with a caravan and a free 30-day permit. Never camp in a nature reserve, on a city beach or in a wadi when rain is forecast.
At a glance
- Long-stay permit
- Al Aweer, 3 to 6 months, 1 November to 30 April
- Fee
- 44 fils per square metre per week, up to 400 square metres
- Deposit
- AED 2,000, refunded after the site is cleared
- Apply
- Dubai Now app or wintercamp.dm.gov.ae, with UAE PASS
- Caravans
- Jebel Ali Public Beach, free permit, up to 30 days
- Short trips
- Designated zones only: Al Qudra areas, Hatta campsites, licensed camps
- Off limits
- Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, protected parts of Al Marmoom, city beaches and parks
Last verified: 13 October 2026 against Dubai Municipality’s winter camp terms for 2025-26. The 2026-27 application date had not been announced when we checked.
On this page
Al Aweer winter camps: how the permit works
Dubai Municipality’s winter camping season gives families a serviced plot in the Al Aweer desert area for the whole winter, with roads and support from Dubai Police, the RTA, Civil Defence and DEWA. In recent seasons applications opened around 18 to 21 October, with permits valid from 1 November to the end of April.
| Item | Terms (2025-26 season) |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Families, mainly UAE citizens holding a Dubai-issued passport; check the eligibility notice each season |
| Plot size | Up to 400 square metres (20 m by 20 m) |
| Length | Minimum 3 months, maximum 6 months |
| Fee | 44 fils per square metre per week: about AED 176 a week, or about AED 2,300 for three months, for a full plot |
| Other fees | A refundable AED 2,000 deposit, plus small service fees per payment |
| Documents | Passport copy, family book and bank details (IBAN) for the deposit refund |
| Processing | About two working days |
| One application | Per person |
How to apply, step by step
- Wait for Dubai Municipality’s announcement that the season is open, usually in the second half of October.
- Log in to the Dubai Now app or wintercamp.dm.gov.ae with UAE PASS.
- Choose your plot in Al Aweer and the number of months, between three and six.
- Upload your passport, family book and bank details.
- Pay the fee and the deposit online; the permit arrives in about two working days.
- Put up the digital camp signboard at the entrance and set up within your plot only.
Rules inside the camp area
- Family use only: the camp cannot be rented out or used by hotels, companies or anyone else.
- Fence the plot with temporary materials; the main entrance must face the street, and a sewage tank must be installed inside the boundary.
- Fires only in a raised fire pit (kewar); direct fires on the sand are banned.
- A fire extinguisher is compulsory.
- No floodlights, loudspeakers or fireworks.
- Vehicles are limited to 20 km/h, and dune bikes are not allowed inside the camps.
- Never move the boundary markers or build beyond your permitted size.
- At the end, remove everything, fill pits and restore the land within a week, or lose the deposit.
Not an Emirati family? The Al Aweer scheme has been aimed at Emirati families, so most residents and visitors camp for a night or a weekend instead, using the options below.
Where you can camp for a night or a weekend
| Option | Cost | Permit | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Qudra Lakes camping areas | Free | Check current rules | Rules have changed several times; camp only in designated zones, well back from the water, and not on the Love Lake loop |
| Hatta campsites | Paid | Booked through Hatta Resorts, near Hatta Wadi Hub | Pitches, caravan park and glamping domes; see things to do in Hatta |
| Jebel Ali Public Beach (caravans) | Free | Free no-objection certificate, issued instantly online, up to 30 days | A new permit for the same caravan can be issued 15 days after the last one ends |
| Licensed desert camps and glamping | Paid | Covered by the operator | The easiest choice for visitors; dinner and transport often included |
Before an overnight trip to Al Qudra, check the Dubai Now app or Dubai Municipality for the latest rules, because short-term registration has been introduced in some seasons, and look for signs on arrival. If a sign says no camping, move on.
Where camping is not allowed
- Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve: a protected reserve on the Al Ain road; no camping without the operator.
- Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve: free for day visits and wildlife watching, but unpermitted wild camping is banned in its protected areas.
- City beaches and parks: no tents on public beaches or in municipal parks.
- Wadis and low ground in rain: including Hatta’s wadis when rain is forecast, because of flash floods.
- Private land, farms and construction sites.
What gets campers fined
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lighting a fire directly on the sand | Banned; use a raised grill or fire pit |
| Leaving rubbish | Littering fines in Dubai start at about AED 500, and federal waste rules can cost far more |
| Camping in a protected reserve | Heavy fines in protected areas |
| Cutting ghaf or other trees for firewood | Protected under Federal Law No. 24 of 1999 on the environment |
| Burning or dumping rubbish | Covered by Federal Law No. 12 of 2018 on waste, with fines far above municipal ones |
| Entering flooded wadis | Fines up to AED 2,000 and vehicle confiscation |
| Flying a drone without permission | Drones need approval in Dubai |
When to camp
The season runs from late October to April. November to March is best: nights in the Dubai desert drop to about 12 to 18 degrees Celsius in mid-winter, so bring warm layers. October and April nights are warm, and from May to September camping is not realistic. Weekend nights from November to February are busiest at Al Qudra; for stargazing, go close to the new moon.
What to bring
- Tent with sand pegs, sleeping bags and warm layers.
- 4 litres of water per person per day, and food that needs no fridge.
- A raised grill or gas stove for the BBQ, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.
- Rubbish bags, a shovel and a torch.
- For sand driving: a 4×4, tyre deflator and pump, recovery boards and a second car.
- Adventure activities in the UAE: desert, water, camping and wheels by season.
- Camping in the UAE: the rules in every emirate.
- Al Wathba Lake Camp: Abu Dhabi’s free official campsite.
- Stargazing in the UAE: the darkest skies near Dubai.
- Dune bashing and quad bikes: desert adventures with safety tips.
- BBQ areas in Dubai: the parks and spots where grilling is allowed.
Change log
- 13 October 2026: page created with 2025-26 permit terms; 2026-27 application dates to be added when announced.
Camping in Dubai FAQs
Can you camp in Dubai?
Yes, in permitted places: Al Aweer winter camps with a Dubai Municipality permit, designated Al Qudra camping areas, the Hatta campsites, licensed desert camps, and Jebel Ali Public Beach for caravans with a free permit.
How do I get a winter camping permit in Dubai?
Apply through the Dubai Now app or wintercamp.dm.gov.ae with UAE PASS when the season opens, usually in the second half of October. Permits cover a plot of up to 400 square metres in Al Aweer for three to six months.
How much is the Al Aweer camping permit?
The fee is 44 fils per square metre per week, about AED 176 a week for a full 400 square metre plot, plus a refundable AED 2,000 deposit.
Can you camp at Al Qudra Lakes?
Only in designated zones, and the rules have changed several times. Check the Dubai Now app or Dubai Municipality before you go, camp well back from the water and follow any signs on arrival.
Can you camp on Dubai beaches?
Not with tents on public city beaches. Caravans and trailers can stay at Jebel Ali Public Beach with a free Dubai Municipality permit for up to 30 days.
When does the Dubai camping season start?
The winter camping season runs from 1 November to 30 April, with applications usually opening in the second half of October.