Best Camping Spots in Ras Al Khaimah

The UAE may not be a country tourists typically associate with camping. But if you do not go camping here, you are missing out on more than you will ever know. 

The UAE’s natural landscape offers a uniquely beautiful form of isolation, dotted by undulating dunes and colored by the burning Arabic sun.

And one of the best Emirates for experiencing this fantastic natural world is in Ras Al Khaimah. With its proud Bedouin culture, an ample number of resorts, and places to set up a tent, Ras Al Khaimah offers the visitor a perfect chance to see all the beauty the Arabic Gulf and the desert have to offer.

No matter what kind of traveler you are – someone who seeks to camp in luxury or wants to plop down in the middle of nature in a tent – Ras Al Khaimah has something for you.

Bassata Desert Village

Everyone has an inner younger side searching for an adventure, and at the Bassata Desert village, you can easily indulge that side. Here you can experience the authentic life of a Bedouin and stay in meticulously crafted tents.

Chefs prepare tasty Bedouin fare on open grills, and you can enjoy the accouterments and comforts of life in this region: real Arabic coffee, delicious dried fruit, and stunning scenery – all away from the bustle of the cities.

Bedouin Oasis Camp

No list of the best camping spots in Ras Al Khaimah could afford to neglect the Bedouin Oasis Camp. This “glamping” spot sets you in the Wadi Khadeja area, near great dining options, attractive scenery, and a must in the United Arab Emirates – great locations for outdoor sports. 

After driving an hour from Dubai, you can park your car here free of charge and enjoy a comfortable tent set among the colorful dunes. 

Once settled, you can choose from several outdoor activities: such as riding a camel or learning to ride across the desert with a four-wheeler. No matter what you do here, you will experience an authentic representation of this country’s culture away from its metropolises. 

RAK Glamping

RAK Glamping, formerly known as the Glamp-Inn, presents a more familiar environment for visitors from outside the UAE but still offers the chance to experience Ras Al Khaimah’s culture in a comfortable, natural environment. 

RAK Glamping’s cabins all have air conditioning and heating – meaning you can visit at any time of the year and enjoy your stay in comfort. This camping spot especially offers its guests the potential for a romantic break from the city spent around their partners or families.

Long Beach Campground

If you want to stay next to a beach but do not want to stay in a hotel, the Long Beach Campground is the perfect spot. You can enjoy nature here and the scenery of the Arabian Gulf without having to buy your tent or supplies!

The campground is full of large tents that can fit whole families and, like many camping spots in Ras Al Khaimah, has a fantastic restaurant. So, if you would like to get away from the concrete jungle and take in some breaths of clean coastal air, the Long Beach Campground is where to go.

Al-Wadi Desert Ritz Carlton

However, if you do want to stay in a hotel that offers you the chance to camp among the natural beauty of Ras Al Khaimah, then you should book your trip at the Ritz Carlton in the Al-Wadi Desert. This hotel is situated on a massive nature reserve that offers you unique opportunities for horse riding, falconry, and archery.

This camping spot is one of the best for a comfortable adventure in the Al Wadi Desert, where you can get a sense of the culture, all while enjoying the luxury of glamping among world-class facilities.

The Dunes Camping and Safari Park

The Dunes are not only well known among foreign visitors to the United Arab Emirates; locals treasure this spot as an escape from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. It also offers the most diverse choice of accommodation for camping.

If you want to camp in comfort, you can stay in a domed tent. But if you are looking for something more similar to camping in the woods – you can also camp in an elevated cabin. Additionally, the Dunes offers city tours and a wealth of activities that take advantage of the surrounding area, such as city and mountain tours.

Awafi Desert Camping Ras Al Khaimah

This camping spot offers all the amenities that the other great camping areas do: nature, horse riding, 4-wheel-riding, and other outdoor undertakings.

But it also offers a unique opportunity among the country’s camping sites: a festival that celebrates this Emirate’s traditions, culture, and ethnicity. So, if you want to witness dances, concerts, and dune bike races at the festival, you can camp in the Awafi desert in the spring.

Jebel Jais

We would be remiss if we did not include the UAE’s highest peak and its opportunities for camping. There are several spots where you can pitch a tent on your way up this mountain, and even some grills you can use if you bring supplies.

Once you find your spot, you can marvel from the heights at the vast expanse of the UAE’s natural wonders. High above the Arabian Gulf, date farms, and the Wadi desert, you can witness the essence of this amazing country. And close by – you can fly at high speeds on the world’s longest zipline, take the Jais Sledder, or eat at the highest restaurant in the country.

Conclusion

Ras Al Khaimah has far more places to camp, as does the UAE, but if you want to gain an understanding of the Emirates’ and Ras Al Khaimah’s culture while escaping from the cities, these are the best camping spots you will find. At all of them, you will enjoy dramatic sunsets, clean air, friendly people, and world-class food – all while enjoying the peace you can find camping.