Camping in Hatta with your own tent: booking, plot rules and what to pack

Hatta is the easiest first campsite for many families in Dubai. It is a managed site with security, parking and a fire pit on every plot, so you do not have to find a legal spot in the desert yourself. You will need to bring your own tent. This guide explains how the campsite works, what is already there and what to pack.

Details checked on 6 November 2026 against the official Hatta camping page.

Where it is and how to get there

• Location: Hatta Wadi Hub, off the Dubai–Hatta road.
• Distance: about 130 km south-east of Dubai, around 90 minutes by car (The National).
• Roads: paved. Khaleej Times notes that even compact cars reach the camping zones near Hatta Dam and Wadi Hub.
• Altitude: about 300 to 400 metres.

Hatta is cooler than the coast but much milder than Jebel Jais. In one November week of 2025, Khaleej Times reported lows of about 20 °C and highs of about 30 °C. Nights get colder later in the winter, so plan for a cool night even after a warm day.

Booking

• Online: through Hatta Resorts, linked from the official camping page. The page warns about unauthorised booking websites, so start from there.
• Email: [email protected].
• Phone: +971 4 820 5555 or +971 4 820 5500, 9 am to 7 pm daily. WhatsApp: +971 58 1002762.
• There are only 18 plots, so cool-season weekends can fill up. Book early and keep a second date in mind.

Ask about the price, check-in time and cancellation terms when you book.

The plot rules

• Plot size: 11 by 9 metres.
• People: up to five per plot.
• Cars: one, parked next to your pitch.
• Shelter: your own tent or your own caravan.
• Hours: 7 am to midnight, seven days a week, with 24-hour security.

Two things follow. A family of five fits on one plot; a larger group needs two. And the tent, car, chairs and cooking area all share about 99 square metres, so place the tent well away from the fire pit.

What is already there

• A bonfire area for each pitch.
• A private barbecue area for each plot. You bring your own cooking equipment.
• Outdoor seating with a table.
• Free parking and 24-hour security.
• Basic Wi-Fi in some areas, which the site says may drop out.

The official page does not mention toilets, showers or power at the plots. Ask when you book. Either way, bring a power bank and your own lights; the site itself tells you to bring lighting.

The tent: what fits a Hatta plot

A tent’s number is its nominal capacity: adults side by side, with no bags. A family of four is usually more comfortable in a 6-person tent than a 4-person one. If you have never pitched a tent, choose a simple frame. The Ballarat 4P and Ballarat 6P are freestanding, meaning they stand on their poles before you stake them, and use Quick Corners. They have pre-attached guylines for wind and internal pockets for torches and phones.

For a covered porch for shoes and bags, the Wireless 6P has two doors and two vestibules. Whatever you choose, practise pitching it once at home.

The kitchen: bring your own

The barbecue area is provided; the cooking gear is not. Hatta is a car trip, so pans and tools can come from home. Finding them in the dark is harder. A hanging organiser helps: the Camp Galley hangs from a roof rack or anything nearby and has zipped pockets for spices, tongs and utensils, plus sleeves for chopping boards and plates. The smaller Chef Roll has four zipped pockets and rolls up for the drive home. More on safe cooking in Camp kitchen for families.

Fire safety on the plot

With a fire pit on every plot, you will probably light a fire. Gulf News lists the basics: keep lanterns at least 50 cm from tents; never use a barbecue or coal burner inside a tent; no candles or lighters inside; store firewood at least 4.5 metres from tents; keep the campfire at least 9 metres from tents and anything flammable (Abu Dhabi Civil Defence); keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Put the fire out fully before you sleep.

Questions people ask

Can I bring a caravan?

Yes. The official page says guests can arrive with a tent or a personal caravan.

How many people and cars per plot?

Up to five people and one car.

Are there toilets, showers or electricity?

The official page does not say. Ask Hatta Resorts when you book.

Can I bring my dog?

The official page does not mention pets. Ask before you book rather than assume.

Packing list for one night in Hatta

• Booking confirmation and ID.
• Tent, footprint and stakes, pitched once at home first.
• A sleeping bag and pad for each person. See Your first camping trip in the UAE.
• Food, cooking tools, charcoal, a lighter and a cool box.
• Water for drinking, cooking and washing up.
• Head torches, a camp lamp and a power bank.
• A warm layer for every person, plus a hat and sunscreen for the day.
• Bin bags. Everything you bring goes home with you.