Al Qudra Lakes are free, man-made lakes in the desert at Saih Al Salam, about 40 km from central Dubai along Al Qudra Road (D63), open 24 hours. The main lake and Love Lake have parking reachable on tarmac in an ordinary car; only the sandy tracks beyond need a 4×4. The lakes sit inside the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, where swans, ducks, herons and, in winter, flamingos gather, and where camping is allowed in designated zones without a permit. Fires must be in grills in the BBQ zones, pets are not allowed in the reserve, and swimming is not advised. Go from October to April, an hour before sunset.
At a glance
- Entry
- Free; open 24 hours, no gates
- From Dubai
- About 30 to 45 minutes; 45 minutes from Dubai Marina, an hour from Downtown
- Car
- Sedan fine to the main parking areas; 4×4 only off the tracks
- Camping
- Allowed in designated zones, no permit or booking
- Fires
- Portable grills in BBQ zones only; no fires on the sand
- Pets
- Not allowed in the Al Marmoom reserve
- Best time
- October to April; the hour before sunset; November to March for birds
Last checked: 13 October 2026 against Dubai Municipality’s protected area information and current visitor guidance. Rules here have changed several times; check signs on arrival.
On this page
Where the lakes are
Al Qudra is a cluster of man-made lakes, the first created in 2012 and filled with treated water from the Jebel Ali treatment plant, in the Saih Al Salam desert south of Dubai. Search your maps app for these names:
| Lake | Where | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Qudra Lake (main lakes) | Off Al Qudra Road, near the Saih Al Salam area | Tarmac to parking; short sand stretch to some lakeside spots | Birds, picnics, camping, sunsets |
| Love Lake | Signposted off Al Qudra Road, about 10 minutes’ drive from the main lakes | Paved parking | Two heart-shaped lakes, opened in 2018; day visits and photos |
| Crescent Moon Lake | In the same lake network | Sand tracks; easier by 4×4 | Quiet birdwatching |
| Expo 2020 Lake | In the same lake network, shaped like the Expo 2020 logo | Sand tracks; easier by 4×4 | Aerial-view photos |
From the city, take the Dubai to Al Ain Road (E66) or Emirates Road (E611) and turn onto Al Qudra Road, or drive inland from Arabian Ranches and Motor City. Al Qudra Road has long unlit stretches and no traffic lights, so drive carefully after dark. Last Exit Al Qudra, a food-truck stop near the E611 junction, is the last place for fuel, food and supplies.
Sedan or 4×4?
| Where | Sedan | 4×4 |
|---|---|---|
| Al Qudra Road and the main lake car parks | Yes | Yes |
| Love Lake parking | Yes | Yes |
| Lakeside spots past the end of the tarmac | Park and walk | Yes, with tyres let down |
| Open dunes and other lakes | No | Yes, on existing tracks only |
In a rental car, park where the tarmac ends and walk the last stretch: wind blows loose sand over the road and the car parks, and getting stuck is common at weekends.
Wildlife and the bird season
The lakes are part of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Dubai’s largest protected area at about 949 square kilometres, almost 23% of the emirate. Dubai Municipality records 258 bird species, 11 mammals and 26 reptiles in the reserve, and has built eight bird hides.
| Season | What you may see |
|---|---|
| All year | Black swans, Egyptian geese, ducks, cormorants, herons, grebes, lapwings, common kestrels |
| November to March | Migrant ducks and waders, greater flamingos on some lakes (the reserve holds the country’s largest desert flamingo flocks), steppe eagles |
| Dawn and dusk | Arabian oryx and gazelles in the open desert, red foxes, and the houbara (MacQueen’s bustard) if you are lucky |
- Flamingos are not guaranteed at the main lake; they move between the reserve’s lakes.
- Do not feed the birds, especially bread, and keep well back from flocks.
- Bring binoculars and go early morning or late afternoon, when birds are most active.
Camping, BBQ and the rules
| Activity | Rule |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed in the designated camping zones by the main lakes, with no permit or booking needed in recent seasons |
| Love Lake | Day visits; any tents must be 20 to 30 metres from the shore, in designated spots |
| BBQ and fires | Portable grills in the BBQ zones only; no open fires on the sand |
| Pets | Not allowed in the Al Marmoom reserve |
| Swimming | Not advised; the lakes hold treated water |
| Drones | Only with a valid permit |
| Littering | Fines from about AED 50, rising with severity |
| Driving | Stay on existing tracks; no driving around the lake edges |
Weekend nights from November to February are the busiest; arrive by mid-afternoon to claim a spot. Short-term registration through the Dubai Now app has been introduced in some past seasons, so check the app and the signs on arrival. For other options, see camping in Dubai.
Facilities
- Available: restrooms, picnic tables and BBQ zones near the main lakes.
- Not available: no electricity, no running water and no food stalls inside the reserve; bring water, food, lights and rubbish bags.
- Bikes: the Al Qudra cycle track runs past the area, with bike hire at Last Exit and the Trek store at the end of Al Qudra Road.
Nearby
- Dubai International Endurance City at Seih Al Salam hosts horse endurance races in winter, and Al Jiyad Stables offers desert horse rides.
- Al Qudra cycling parking by the Trek store is the usual starting point for the cycle loops.
- Planes heading to Al Maktoum International Airport pass overhead in the distance; the desert beyond is home to Arabian oryx.
Best time to visit
- October to April, with the most comfortable overnight camping between November and March; in summer, go only at sunrise.
- The hour before sunset for golden light, birds coming in and the famous red-orange sky.
- After dark for stars: the Milky Way is visible on moonless winter nights away from the car parks; see stargazing in the UAE.
- Weekday evenings are far quieter than weekends.
What to bring
- Plenty of water, food and a cool box.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens.
- Insect repellent: mosquitoes gather by the water at dusk.
- A warm layer for winter nights.
- A raised grill and charcoal if you plan to use the BBQ zones.
- Love Lake: timings and the best time to visit.
- Al Marmoom Desert Reserve: lakes, oasis and heritage village.
- Best parks in Dubai: greener days out in the city.
- Camping in the UAE: the rules in every emirate.
Al Qudra Lakes FAQs
Where is Al Qudra Lake?
In the Saih Al Salam desert inside the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, off Al Qudra Road (D63), about 40 km and 30 to 45 minutes from central Dubai.
Can a sedan reach Al Qudra Lakes?
Yes. The main lake car parks and Love Lake are on tarmac. Only the sandy tracks beyond, to other lakes and the dunes, need a 4×4.
Is Al Qudra Lake free?
Yes. There is no entry fee and no gate, and it is open 24 hours.
Can you camp at Al Qudra Lakes?
Yes, in the designated camping zones by the main lakes, with no permit needed in recent seasons. Use the BBQ zones for grills, take your rubbish home, and check signs for any new rules.
Are dogs allowed at Al Qudra Lakes?
No. Pets are not permitted inside the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.
Can you see flamingos at Al Qudra?
Sometimes, mainly from November to March, as the flocks move between the reserve’s lakes. Swans, ducks and herons are seen all year.