The Top 3 Spots in Ras Al Khaimah for an Arabian Night Camp Experience

Sometimes, all you want to do is to take a break from your daily routine and head off to someplace beautiful, invigorating, and different.

If you spend a good part of your life in an urban setting and are craving an experience that takes you closer to nature, then camping at night in Ras Al Khaimah is the refreshing break you need. 

Just 45 minutes away from bustling cosmopolitan Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah promises an incredible range of landscapes and sceneries to enjoy, from majestic mountains to sandy coastlines to lush green mangroves.

What’s more, this is the best place to try all kinds of camping activities and spend an unforgettable night under the stars – that’s what awaits you when you arrange an overnight camping adventure for you and your family or group of friends.

Mountain Air, Starry Skies, Desert Adventures

Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah is one of the best camping spots in the entire UAE. Camping is a popular weekend pastime and is one of the most beloved Ras Al Khaimah activities – entry is free, and there are plenty of areas along the route to the mountain that are ideal for pitching tents, setting up barbecue equipment for outdoor grilling, stargazing, and enjoying the sunset and sunrise views.

Having said that, there are also dedicated desert night camp venues here and in the surrounding desert that provide accommodations and offer various activities that make the most of the beautiful Ras Al Khaimah outdoors.

Here are the top three Ras Al Khaimah overnight camping destinations that we recommend.

Camp 1770

Talk about scaling new heights! Camp 1770 is the highest campsite in the UAE. It is located at Jebel Jais, the mountain of the North-Western Hajar range where you can find the UAE’s highest point at 1,892 m (6,207 ft above sea level). Camp 1770 is so named because its elevation is at 1,770 m above sea level.

Fun fact: Jebel Jais’ summit is actually located in Oman and its elevation is 1,934 m (6,345 ft).

Visitors who enjoy medium-intensity cardio activities and moderate-difficulty hikes can sign up for the UAE Summit Series. This adventure will give you a taste of “summit night” at Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania as groups hike to conquer the Jebel Jais summit.

Here’s how the trip will look like:

• The hike begins at the Jais Viewing Deck Park and ends at the “basecamp” at Camp 1770. Participants will share a good dinner, get to know fellow hikers, and then wind down for much-needed sleep.
• A few hours before dawn the next day, the adventure resumes and hikers push to catch the sunrise at the Jebel Jais summit.
• At this peak, everyone can marvel at the breathtaking 360-degree view of both Musandam in Oman and Ras Al Khaimah.
• Groups return to basecamp at Camp 1770 for breakfast; afterwards, everyone hikes back down to the Jais Viewing Deck Park.

Evenings at Camp 1770 will have hikers enjoying a sumptuous Emirati dinner, gathering around a bonfire to enjoy karak tea and conversation, and witnessing the beauty of Jebel Jais’ jagged peaks while bathed in moonlight. Meet new friends, overcome physical challenges, and be reinvigorated by the millennia-old energy of the Hajar mountain range.

Bear Grylls Explorers Camp

Ready for a more intense camping experience? The Bear Grylls Explorer Camp in the Jebel Jais mountains is the perfect adventure for those seeking to pick up or enhance their wilderness and survival skills. The comprehensive exercises are prepared by Bear Grylls himself and his expert team of instructors.

There are four different courses to choose from, but for a true-blue outdoor adventure experience, the camp offers two 24-hour survival courses:

• The Primal Survivor Course teaches practical life-saving skills and teaches lessons for developing valuable attitudes such as maintaining calmness and resourcefulness in the wilds of desertlands and mountains.
• The Family Primal Survival Course is specially designed to suit parents and children alike while engaging in outdoor adventures.

Aside from the survival courses, participants can also enjoy various activities such as rock climbing and abseiling, via ferrata, hiking, archery or ropes courses.

Guests can stay in the night camp’s specially designed air-conditioned cabins. Each has a double bed with a single bunk on top, a private bathroom, some small kitchen appliances, and a BBQ grill and tool set for cooking outdoors.

Bedouin Oasis 

Ever imagined what the nomadic Bedouin lifestyle would be like? If you have, wonder no more as Bedouin Oasis in the Ras Al Khaimah desert offers a unique night desert camp experience that blends traditional Bedouin charm and modern comforts.

A variety of charming chalets are available for guests to choose from for a truly memorable and tranquil night in the middle of the desert – from tents for couples and families, to accommodations with a stunning nature view, to a premium chalet that combines modern luxury glamping comforts with Bedouin-inspired entertainment and activities. There are also private gazebos for enjoying breathtaking views of the endless sand dunes at sunset and the vast starry sky at night.

Activities that guests can add to amp up their Bedouin lifestyle experience include sunrise or sunset camel trekking, sand boarding, quad biking, going on a morning safari with a visit to a camel farm and date farm, or joining a desert safari. Try henna painting, savor the traditional barbecue dinner, marvel at graceful belly and tanoura dancers, and tell stories around the campfire.

Important Overnight Camping Tips

What are the things to consider before night camping? 

• Before heading to your booked Ras Al Khaimah camping destination, ensure that your vehicle has enough fuel to get there and back – there are no gas or fuel stations nearby.
• The Jebel Jais mountains are remote, so make sure you have sufficient data to load Google Maps or have a printout of your travel route as well as any self-guided hiking trails you may want to try.
• Bring your Emirates ID or passport and a basic first-aid kit.
• Pack the right clothing for the time of year that you are planning to go on your trip. Ras Al Khaimah is typically 10 degrees Celsius cooler than other places in the UAE, but it’s still best to dress for the weather. In winter months, bring multiple thin clothes that you can layer and a warm hat. In the summer, hats and sunscreen are necessary to protect skin from the sun.
• Essential footwear options are walking boots or trainers. Do not bring open-toed footwear like sandals or flip-flops or any heeled shoes.
• Help protect the mountain and desert environments. Do not litter, pick plants and flowers, interact with wildlife, bring prohibited items, make loud noise, and venture into private areas.

Spend the Night in Ras Al Khaimah

Discover a breathtaking array of beautiful landscapes, learn about Emirati culture, and find relaxation and recreation in Ras Al Khaimah. Check out travel times and distances to Ras Al Khaimah and start planning your next desert night camp adventure today.