Locals and tourists alike are blown away by Dubai’s multitude of human-made creations. If you need a getaway from a monotonous routine or have a long weekend at hand, Al Qudra Lake Dubai is the perfect recreational spot to visit. This desert oasis has become a convenient escape from the city for many residents of Dubai. Al Qudra Lake is the perfect outdoor destination to unwind, stretch out and have a great time with friends and family.Β
All About Al Qudra Lake Dubai
Located in the expansive Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Qudra Lake is an artificial oasis that is designed to promote eco-tourism in Dubai. The park includes multiple artificial lakes, surrounded by fauna and sand dunes. The park’s authentic desert vibes, seclusion, and solitude made it a sought-after 2015 destination. With idyllic beaches, busy boulevards, and outdoor attractions, Al Qudra Lake Dubai is a pleasant place to spend the weekend in Dubai. Visitors can experience this tranquil and fascinating landscape by participating in several outdoor activities.
Al Qudra Lake was originally a camping area, a favourite among campers, but with time and popularity, it turned out to be one of Dubaiβs greatest BBQ spots. If you are a barbeque lover, pack your grill and drive down to Al Qudra Lake for a delicious BBQ night!
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Al Qudra Lake Location
To reach Al Qudra Lake, you need to keep a few things in mind:
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- Located on Al Qudra Road (D63), it is less than an hourβs drive from Dubai.
- Al Qudra Road is easily accessible via Dubai Al Ain Road (E66) or Emirates Road (E611).
Using the plus code R9R2+2M Al Lisaili (plus codes are locations based on latitude and longitude and displayed as numbers and letters), you can quickly discover the location on Google Maps, clearly labelling each of the Al Qudra attractions, making them simple to locate. The city is preparing to build a connecting road to allow access to Al Qudra Lake dubai and other human-made recreation areas, including Swan Lake, Love Lake, and Flamingo Lake. The Saih Al-Dahal Road Improvement Project will create a dual carriageway that reaches 11 kilometres in the area. In addition, there will be three roundabouts, a central reservation, and two lanes for efficient transportation. The project will increase the road capacity from 1,800 to 4,000 cars to accommodate the increasing traffic. The route from Dubai to Al Qudra Lake will now be easier.
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Why Visit Al Qudra Lake?
Located in the Saih Al Salam desert, within the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Qudra Lake is a huge artificial lake that merges with the terrain around the area. There are multiple islands around the lake and is home to a variety of bird species, which depend on these low-lying bushes and trees for both food and shelter. This artificial landscape remains untouched by human interference. Al Qudra Lake is an attractive tourist destination in Dubai. It is calm and peaceful, away from the hustle and crowd of the main Dubai city. If you want to spend a relaxing time with your loved ones, Al Qudra is the perfect place to be at. The sunset here is absolutely breathtaking compared to anywhere else in Dubai. The best time to visit Love Lake at Al Qudra Lake is just before sunset, as the sky looks beautiful and the weather is perfect for enjoying the peaceful setting.
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How to Reach Al Qudra Lake?
To reach Al Qudra Lake, it is advised to either hire a car or use your own four-wheeler vehicle. The lake is situated on Al Qudra Road and can be reached via either the Dubai Ail Ain Road or the Emirates Road, depending on where you are starting from. Finding the lake is not difficult as the location can be navigated through Google Maps. It is suggested to get back home before night due to safety concerns as there are not enough street lights in the area.
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What are Al Qudra Lake Timings?
The ideal time to plan a visit to Al Qudra Lake is during the winter season. The climate is pleasant enough to take a walk around the lake, and the sun is not too harsh during that time of the year. Also, there are no fixed visiting hours for the lake, as it is open to tourists and the public at all times of the day, seven days a week. Hence, visitors can drop in at their convenience.
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Entry Fee for Al Qudra Lake
Entry into Al Qudra Lake is free for everyone. Even though entry is free of cost, certain activities, such as renting bikes, are charged as per the vendorβs discretion.Β
Love Lake Al Qudra – Most Fascinating Attraction
Al Qudra Lake’s most fascinating attraction and the newest addition is Love Lake. It consists of two interlocking cores that create a spectacular heart-shaped lake. When seen from above or onΒ Google Earth, the fauna around the lake spells the word βLoveβ. Labelled as one of Dubaiβs greatest romantic spots, Love Lake Al Qudra opened in 2018 and is a must-visit place in Al Qudra Desert for exploring its beauty and unique layout. Al Qudra Love Lake Dubai was created to enhance the green vision of Dubai. Every centimetre of Love Lake is environmentally sustainable; biodegradable materials are used for the park benches and tissue boxes, and you can spot bamboo and forest basins on the lake. The fenced area around the park is called Hadirah, and it offers picnic facilities, such as a water supply, barbecue stands, washrooms, and benches.Β
The park has three jogging paths covering a total of 7 km. Fascinatingly, the stones marking the distance from the road are heart-shaped. The park around Love Lake has over 16,000 trees and plants. All the flora and fauna around the lake originate from the branches; the begonias of the trees and the shrubs have a heart-shaped form. The Love Lake Al Qudra is covered with heart motifs and signage indicating the best spots for an insta-worthy image. Running tracks, shaded spaces, fire pits, and restrooms are free of charge to visit. This makes it one of the best places for a low-cost date night!
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Love Lake Layout
The Love Lake in Dubai embodies the city’s environmentally conscious vision for the time ahead. Every inch of the lake is designed to be sustainable, with biodegradable materials used for everything from park benches to tissue boxes. The surrounding area features bamboo and forest wood, while the fenced Hadirah section offers picnic facilities, drinking water, barbecue stands, washrooms, and several benches around the park to sit around. The park also has three jogging paths that cover a stretch of 7 km. The tracks around the park light up beautifully in the evening, making it the perfect place to catch the sunset. Even the stones that have the markings of the distance from the road are also shaped like hearts.
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Facilities at Love LakeΒ
As you enter Love Lake Park, you will notice a wooden frame with a map of the lake and park engraved on it. The heart of the park is something that attracts you, as it also has a badminton court. The giant red heart is made up of red flowers in the garden, which is one of the reasons why Love Lake is one of Dubai’s most eye-catching locations. Although there are no shops or restaurants nearby, you can get home-cooked food here and enjoy the view on one of the wooden park benches. For some entertainment, you can swing on the big tree branches, but it’s not suitable for young children.
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Things to Know Before Going to Love Lake
- There is no entrance fee and one can easily enter the park.
- Ensure that you get a proper license from the authority if you plan to fly drones in the park. There is a huge penalty that one has to pay if the person does not have a proper license.
- Donβt feed the fish and birds in the park.
- Please keep in mind that it gets chillier during the winter season and gets extremely hot during the summer. So it is necessary to wear weather-appropriate clothes.
- Do not use the barbecue for anything other than grilling. Also, BBQ coals and ashes should be disposed of safely.
- There is no entrance fee and one can easily enter the park.
Things To Do At Al Qudra Lake
Here is a list of things to do at Al Qudra Lake that you can enjoy with your family and friends on a long weekend.Β
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- Enjoy a walk or jog around the 7 km long path.
- Take a stroll across the low areas of the lake.
- Observe the different migratory birds, fish and ducks.
- Light a fireplace to enjoy a barbeque with your family and loved ones.
- This is the best-uninterrupted spot to view the sunset without the city high towers disrupting the views. You can continue the night under the stars and constellations.Β
- Love Lake Al Qudra Location : 10-minutes away from Al Qudra Lake.
- Love Lake Al Qudra Timing : 24 hours
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Camp the Night Away Under the Stars
Al Qudra Lake is a top camping location in the United Arab Emirates and a favourite among campers. The dunes surrounding the artificial lakes make this area a beautiful setting for barbecues, stargazing, and overnight camping. On weekends, the place does get crowded. Hence, it is best to either come early to catch a good spot or pitch your tent at the Al Qudra East camping area or near Love Lake. Camping at Al Qudra Lake is a free outdoor activity in Dubai. However, be fully prepared with your complete camping gear, such as sleeping bags, tents, and torches. However, all the supplies you need will be available at the camping equipment shops in Dubai. To preserve the environment and wildlife at the Al Qudra Lake Dubai camping site, it is imperative to follow the rules like cleaning up after yourself. Burnt charcoal residues are dangerous to nature, especially in the river.
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- Camping Location : Around 30 minutes from Dubai
- Camping Timings : Open 24 hours
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Discover Dubaiβs Wildlife
There are around 170 native bird and animal species in the Al Qudra Desert. This human-made attraction serves as a natural habitat for wildlife. A birdwatcher’s paradise, Al Qudra Lake is home to numerous native and migratory bird species. On a good day, you can easily spot black swans, flamingos, lapwings, and the endangered Steppe Eagle or Asian Houbara if youβre lucky.Β Keep an eye out as you travel, and you may spot some of the larger native inhabitants along the way. If youβre especially quiet, you could see sand gazelles, desert foxes, or even the elusive Arabian Oryx grazing or darting around. Do not feed the animals since it is illegal and might result in a fine.
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Cycle Your Way to Fun at Lake
The 86-kilometre path that runs across Al Qudra makes cycling one of the most popular hobbies in the area. It’s not uncommon to see a mix of amateurs and professionals biking through the dunes.Β Al Qudra has two cycling car parks; one is the Al Qudra cycling car park near the Mira Oasis villas and the second is the Trek Bicycle Store in Seih Al Salam. Parking is available at each of these locations. A Trek Bicycle Store is convenient if you’re interested in bike rentals or cycle workshops near the Al Qudra Lake area. The facility offers a wide selection of bikes and riding accessories for rent with restrooms and showers on site. A bicycle rental’s cost depends on its model and duration. To hire a bicycle from the store, all you need to provide is an Emirates ID or passport.
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- Track Timings : Open 24 hours
- Trek Bicycle Store Timings :Β 5:00 AM β 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
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Al Qudra Lakeβs Last Exit β Grab a Bite to Eat
After a full day of outdoor activities, one can grab a bite at the Last Exit in Al Qudra. Located at the entrance of Al Qudra, this area has a variety of dining alternatives, from food trucks to sit-down fast-food joints, to satisfy all your cravings. Worth a visit are the Brass and Burger Pit.
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- Location : At the end of Al Qudra Road and the edge of the Saih Al Salam Desert.
- Timing : Opened on all days from 06:00 AM to 03:00 AM
Few Things to Know Before Heading to Lake
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- The best time to visit Al Qudra Lake is between October and April.
- To be on the safe side, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for Al Qudra Lake as there could be some off-roading.
- If you intend to fly drones in the park, make sure to carry the licences.
- Use BBQ grills only at the spots specified or allotted for barbeques.
- In certain areas of the park, high heels are not recommended.
- Avoid feeding food to the fish and birds at the Al Qudra Lake.
- Dress warm and comfortably as the desert gets colder in the winter and during the late evenings in Dubai.
- There are very few toilet facilities accessible in a parking area only.
- No litter is tolerated at the park. Ensure that you carry disposable garbage bags to avoid environmental damage.Β
- There are no eateries around the lake, so it is recommended to carry your little takeout.Β
Conclusion
Al Qudraβs artificial lakes are a perfect escape from the cityβs hustle and bustle and a must-visit place for those who love outdoor activities. There might be certain restrictions for camping and barbequing, but the place has a lot more to offer. They are popular with locals for picnics, bird watching, and cycling in the desert. If you are planning a romantic getaway for you and your loved one, Love Lake Al Qudra is where you need to be to enjoy a serene and beautiful weekend. One has the option to indulge in stargazing, take a walk around the heart-shaped lake, catch the sunset over the human-made desert oasis, or immerse yourself in nature at Al Qudra Lake Dubai. So, go ahead and mark your calendars for the next long weekend and plan a trip to Al Qudra Lake, Dubaiβs most iconic attraction, with friends and family for a fun day.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best time to visit Al Qudra Lake is from October to April, when the weather is slightly cooler in temperature.
Al Qudra Lake is located on the outskirts of Dubai, along Al Qudra Road (D63), around 30 to 45 minutes drive away. It is easily accessible through Google Maps.
Yes, barbeque is allowed in Al Qudra but only in the specified or allotted area. Barbeque is not allowed directly on the sand as burning coal could harm the animals in the area.
The lake doesn't have set timings. It is open to the public throughout the day on all days of the week.
A 4-wheel drive is safe for Al Qudra Lake as there could be some off-roading. A sedan is the best option to drive to Al Qudra Lake if you want to go beyond the entrance.
Al Qudra Lake is one of Dubai's most popular dog walking and camping spots. Recently, new signs have gone up at Al Qudra Lakes stating no dogs are allowed in the area. A wide range of new rules are set to warn visitors to keep the area clean and improve safety.
Al Qudra Cycling Track runs 86 kilometres and is a popular destination among Dubai's fitness enthusiasts. What is the best time to go to Al Qudra Lake?
Where is Al Qudra Lake located?
Is barbeque allowed in Al Qudra?
What is the visiting time to Al Qudra Lake?
Is a 4-wheel drive necessary to reach Al Qudra?
Are dogs/pets allowed at Al Qudra Lake?
How long is the Al Qudra Cycle Track?