Al Wathba Lake — Attraction in Al Wathbah

The Best Family-Friendly Camping Spot in Abu Dhabi

If you're looking for a family-friendly camping experience in Abu Dhabi, this is by far the best spot to consider. Situated in the heart of the desert, it's reminiscent of the Al Qudra Lake area in Dubai, offering a peaceful and scenic retreat. The location is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing convenience.

Facilities & Comfort

One of the biggest advantages of this camping site is the availability of essential facilities. There are clean toilet facilities and a well-stocked grocery store on-site, which solves a major concern for families who want to avoid the hassle of bringing everything from home. The grocery store offers basic necessities, making it easy to stock up on supplies during your stay.

Kid-Friendly Activities

Families with children will be pleased to know that there are some kid-friendly activities available, keeping younger campers entertained. This makes it an excellent choice for families who want both adventure and relaxation. Additionally, the campgrounds are spacious, allowing for free play and exploration in a safe environment.

Scenic Views & Cycling

The site is surrounded by several picturesque locations, making it a great spot for photography and nature walks. If you enjoy cycling, you’ll appreciate the high-quality cycling track that winds through the desert landscape. It's an experience unlike any other, as it takes you deep into the desert where you can truly appreciate the vastness and beauty of the environment. You won’t find a track like this anywhere else!

Quiet, Peaceful Nights

At night, the campground becomes incredibly quiet—assuming, of course, that you're not unlucky enough to encounter noisy party-goers. If you're looking for tranquility, this is a great spot to stargaze and enjoy the stillness of the desert night. On weekends, most campers leave by midnight, so if you arrive later in the night, you'll have plenty of space and even more peace and quiet.

BBQ & Picnic Facilities

There are several BBQ stations scattered around the site, complete with shelters for first-comers. You can also bring your own BBQ equipment and set up wherever there is space, as there are no strict boundaries or markings. This flexibility is ideal for those who want to enjoy a more personalized camping experience. Cleanliness is also a priority, as there are plenty of dustbins and dedicated cleaning staff ensuring the area stays neat and tidy.

Parking & Accessibility

Parking is never a problem, as ample parking spaces are available near the camping spots. The roads and parking areas have been thoughtfully designed around the lake, without disturbing the natural ambiance of the location. The accessibility is excellent, allowing you to park your car close to your tent, which is very convenient, especially for families with kids or anyone carrying heavy camping gear.

Early Morning Walks & Desert Exploration

A leisurely early morning walk is one of the highlights of this camping spot. The fresh desert air and peaceful surroundings make for a memorable experience. If you're an adventurer, there are nearby desert dunes that you can explore during the day, adding to the excitement of your stay.

Safety & Security

As a government-authorized camping area, the site is always monitored by security personnel, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all campers. This is a reassuring feature, especially for families or first-time campers.

Conclusion

Overall, this family-friendly camping spot in Abu Dhabi offers the perfect blend of nature, comfort, and convenience. Whether you’re looking for a quiet getaway, a chance to explore the desert, or a safe and comfortable place for your family to camp, this site ticks all the boxes. It’s an excellent choice for both seasoned campers and those new to...

Al Wathba lake is an artificial manmade lake in the middle of the desert in Al Wathba region about an hours drive from Abu Dhabi city. You have to totally rely on google map because there is no clear signboard along the way until you reach the location. The place is well developed with adequate parking areas, washrooms, kids play areas, gazebos, permanent barbeque facilities and dedicated dust bins for bbq disposal and garbage disposal along the periphery of the lake. It has round the clock security system. It is open to public 24X7, but gets crowded over the weekends. Suggest to reach there early to secure a gazebo and barbeque stand. It is the best overnight camping site on the shores. In winters, the temperature at night may drop to very low and so recommend to carry enough warm clothing and tents if you plan to spend overnight. Also the place is not yet commercialised and the entry is free and no shops around. So suggest to carry all necessary food and water sufficient for the duration of your stay at the lake with basic first aid items. The lake supports flora, fauna and marine species. We had a good time sitting along the shoreline and watching the flights of the birds taking off and landing on the lake water with their wings spread. We also had the previlege watch few herons and cranes catching fish from the lake. It is a nesting ground for various bird species as well. Sunrise and sunset would add to the best sightings but for that you need to reach there at dawn and/or stay late until dusk. Even you may get a chance to watch the stars in the night when the sky is clear. Afternoons tend to be hotter as the area is open and the only shade available is under a tree. Carrying a big beach umbrella would help to provide some shade. The place is quite serene and one may find it a perfect getaway to unwind and rejuvenate. However, a sight of one crane with a piece of plastic bag entangled in his beak made me uncomfortable. A humble request to all the visitors not to litter and maintain cleanliness to protect the flora and fauna and help the environment. Overall, Al Wathba lake is one of the best getaway places to enjoy time with your family and...

When you arrive at the entrance turn left for parking. Leave your vehicle and walk towards the small hut on the right.

Online registration is required for your safety. Scan the QR code and fill in the details. The guide will explain the area then you are ready to go.

It’s best to wear good footwear as you will be walking at least 3km. Carry water bottles to keep hydrated. Depending on the timings you are visiting you will need to apply sunscreen. Don’t wear sunglasses as you’ll miss all the tiny insects and flies. Some of them you may have never seen before.

Follow the path and look for the sign boards. Red labeled posts are for flamingo 🦩 and green are for lizards 🦎

There are rest areas around where you can stop and admire the view. Each rest area has information about the animals. Black winged Stilts. Spiny Tailed Lizard.

This is a great place for an adventure with the children. They can explore the area and guess the foot prints of different animals. Many different types of srubs and small flowers.

You’re hear lots of different sounds. As you get closer to the flamingo area it’s very noisy.

You wouldn’t be able to visit during the summer at it can get very hot. It’s better to visit during the spring. The weather is cooler and pleasant.

Pack a light lunch or snacks for the kids and take plenty of water there isn’t any cafeteria or coffee shop.

No entry fee. Can only be accessed by car. Toilets are located at the main entrance only.

It’s a really lovely place to visit and see the beautiful nature.

Timings 8-4pm. Tuesday- Saturday

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