Al Ruwayyah winter camping opens 1 November with 600 camps and caravan plots

Dubai Municipality has opened registration for the 2026-27 winter camping season at Al Ruwayyah, the desert area south-east of the city near Dubai Outlet Mall. The season runs from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, and this year the site has room for 600 camps, about 120 per cent more than in previous seasons.

Bookings are for UAE nationals, who can register and reserve a plot through the municipality's winter camp website, wintercamp.dm.gov.ae, or the DubaiNow app. Seasonal reservations run for three to six months.

The plots come in more sizes than before. Standard plots measure 400 square metres, and double-sized plots of up to 800 square metres are back for larger families. For the first time the municipality is also offering 50 plots set aside for caravans, and 10 fully equipped camps that can be rented by the day, aimed at people who want a night or two in the desert without bringing and setting up their own gear. The caravan plots and the daily camps have their own booking options and requirements.

Once a permit is issued and the plot's boundaries are marked, campers can design and equip their own camp, but they must follow the rules: each camp has to be fenced with temporary fencing, and camps may be used only for families and camping. Ten spaces across the site are set aside for winter events and gatherings, from family activities and community programmes to seasonal markets, and government entities taking part have dedicated areas of their own. Small and medium-sized businesses can apply to run food and drink outlets, desert activities and other services for campers.

"The 2026-2027 season marks an important step," said Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, describing it as the first stage of a longer plan to develop Al Ruwayyah, with more facilities and services promised in later seasons.

If you are eligible and want a plot, book early on wintercamp.dm.gov.ae or DubaiNow, as the season starts on Sunday. The municipality has not published fees for the plots, the caravan spaces or the daily camps, so check the price on the booking page before you confirm, and plan for fencing your plot before you set up.