From November to March the UAE has its best weather of the year, and the winter camping season starts. Days are warm and sunny, but nights in the desert and the mountains get cold quickly – especially after midnight and in January. This guide covers popular camping spots in the UAE and the gear that keeps your winter camp warm and comfortable.
Open desert, red dunes and rocky hills close to Mleiha and Al Madam make this one of the easiest weekend escapes from Sharjah and Dubai. It is also home to our Al Ghafa branch in Mleiha, so you can pick up last-minute gear on the way.
Mountains, dams and wadis make Hatta camping one of the most searched trips in the country. Nights are cooler than on the coast, and the ground is rocky, so bring strong pegs and a thick mat or a camping bed.
The desert around Al Qudra Lakes is popular for families and short overnight trips. Sand is soft, so bring wide pegs, a shade canopy for the day and good lighting for the evening.
Jebel Jais is the highest mountain in the UAE, and in winter it is the coldest place to camp – temperatures can drop to single digits at night. Treat it as real cold-weather camping: warm sleeping bags, blankets and a hot drink ready.
Huge dunes and very dark skies make Liwa perfect for stargazing. It is remote, so carry extra water, fuel and full recovery gear.
Tip: always check the latest rules of the local authority for the area, camp away from wadis when rain is forecast, and take all your rubbish home.
For the full list of everything to pack, read our complete desert camping essentials checklist. You can shop all winter camping gear online with delivery across the UAE, or visit our branches in Mleiha, Al Dhaid and Filly.
