There’s something special about stepping away from the busy city and spending a night surrounded by nature. During the UAE National Day holiday on December 1, 2022, we decided to go on an overnight camping trip to Suhaila Lake in Hatta, UAE. It was also our little Becca’s second time experiencing overnight camping—and guess what? She loved it!
The drive took about two hours from where we were living in Dubai, so it was quite a long journey. Thankfully, our six-month-old daughter was very well-behaved and slept through most of the trip.
Coming from a city filled with buildings, busy roads, and traffic, the mountain views were incredibly refreshing. We have always loved stepping outside our comfort zone and spending time in nature, and this trip was another wonderful opportunity to do just that.
Arriving at Suhaila Lake
We were so happy to see that our little one already appreciated the beauty of nature. We could see how amazed she was by the cool breeze, the greenery, and the beautiful surroundings.
We arrived and found our camping spot at around 4 in the afternoon. The weather was perfect—you would simply want to sit down, eat something, relax, and enjoy the view.
We camped right beside the lake, just like many other families and groups of friends who had also come to spend the night outdoors.
By the way, Suhaila Lake is an artificial, or man-made, lake, similar to the lake in Al Qudra that was popular around the time of Expo 2020. However, we found Suhaila Lake to be much quieter, with fewer people and very few mosquitoes during our visit.
For us, it was a good camping spot, especially for families with babies, toddlers, and older children.
Enjoying the Sunset
Around 6 in the evening, everyone started enjoying the sunset. Some continued grilling their barbecue, while a few children played near the lake. Others were busy taking photos and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
And, of course, we couldn’t resist taking pictures of this cute daddy and his baby.
I just keep falling in love with this picture. Look how cute they are! 😊
A Peaceful Morning by the Lake
This was our view the following morning.
The cold breeze greeted us as we stepped out of our tents. Some campers had already left, and I guessed that many of them had not stayed overnight and had gone home before dawn.
One thing we noticed at Suhaila Lake was that the area was generally kept clean. Most people took responsibility for their own garbage and placed it in the proper trash bins.
Of course, like in many outdoor areas, we still noticed a few small pieces of plastic and other items scattered around, probably blown away by the wind. Thankfully, cleaning staff came around to collect the remaining rubbish and maintain the area.
One important thing to remember, though, is that there were no washroom facilities in the area during our visit. If you’re planning to camp there, especially with young children, this is something you should consider beforehand.
We usually bring our own portable toilet tent, which made things much easier for us.
Heading to Hatta Dam
Around 8 in the morning, we started packing our camping gear, leftover food, and other belongings and loaded everything back into our cars. From there, we headed toward Hatta Dam.
On the way, we came across a spot where you could see the word “HATTA” displayed on the mountain, somewhat like the famous “Hollywood” sign in the United States.
Of course, we had to stop and take some pictures!
It was such a beautiful view. Look how cute they are! 😊
Baby Becca, when you grow up and see this picture, just remember that you’ve already been to Hatta—aka Hollywood! Haha! 😄
Baby Becca Was Just Sleepy
Becca looks a little sad in this picture, but don’t worry… she wasn’t actually sad!
She was simply sleepy. Such a cute little baby. ❤️
After taking a few more pictures, we headed straight to Hatta Dam.
Our Visit to Hatta Dam
It was actually our second time visiting Hatta Dam, so my husband and I decided not to go all the way up this time. The area was quite high, and there was a long flight of stairs to climb.
Besides, carrying a baby up there would have been challenging for us.
While we waited for our friends, we stayed near the parking area, where there were food shops and places to sit.
We also have some photos from our previous visit to Hatta Dam, which I would definitely love to share in another post. So stay tuned and catch up with us on our next adventure!
Final Thoughts
Our overnight camping trip to Suhaila Lake was simple, but it gave us exactly what we needed—a break from the busy city, quality time with family and friends, and an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature.
More than anything, I loved seeing our little Becca experience something new. Even though she was only six months old, these little adventures became part of our family memories—memories that we can look back on as she grows older.
Sometimes, we don’t need an elaborate vacation to create meaningful memories. A tent, a beautiful view, good food, and the people we love can already be enough.
“The best journeys in life are those that bring us closer to the people we love.”
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” — Psalm 23:2–3
Nature has a beautiful way of reminding us to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the blessings around us. This camping trip may have lasted only one night, but the memories we created will stay with us for much longer.
Have you ever been to Suhaila Lake or gone overnight camping in Hatta?
I would love to hear about your camping experience. Feel free to share your story in the comments below!
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Originally Published: January 13, 2023
Updated: August 2026
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