Nature Walks in Dubai's Parks: Woodland, Ponds and Native Plants

Mushrif National Park in Mirdif is Dubai's woodland park, with walking trails, bird watching and cycling paths, and entry costs AED 3 per person. Al Ittihad Park on Palm Jumeirah is free, open 24 hours and planted with labelled native species. Most large Dubai Municipality parks open at 8am and close at 10pm, later at weekends, according to Gulf News's October 2026 park guide.

At a glance

ParkWhat you walk throughEntryHours Mushrif National Park, MirdifWoodland, sandy picnic areas, trailsAED 3; AED 10 per carFrom 8am Al Ittihad Park, Palm JumeirahLabelled native plants, 3.2km trackFree24 hours Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Barsha 2About 20 hectares around a large pondFreeFrom 8am Al Nahda Pond Park, Al Nahda 2Central pond, jogging trackFreeFrom 8am Al Qusais Pond ParkWalking tracks, picnic spotsFreeMunicipality hours Quranic Park, Al KhawaneejGardens and a lakeFreeDaily Safa Park, Al WaslLawns beside Dubai Water CanalAED 3From 8am Creek Park, Umm Hurair 2Green space with water viewsAED 5From 8am Zabeel ParkWide lawnsAED 5From 8am

The parks in more detail

Mushrif National Park, on Al Khawaneej Street, is a woodland park: Gulf News describes woodland with trees, sandy picnic areas and barbecue spots, and lists walking trails and bird watching among its draws. Aventura Parks, inside the grounds, is ticketed separately. Entry is AED 3 per person or AED 10 per car.

Al Ittihad Park runs down the trunk of Palm Jumeirah. Its 3.2km track passes plantings labelled with their names, which makes a walk here a gentle introduction to the region's native plants. It is free, open 24 hours, dog-friendly and has free parking.

Al Barsha Pond Park covers about 20 hectares around a large pond, with cycling paths and shaded areas. Barbecues are not allowed. Al Nahda Pond Park and Al Qusais Pond Park, also have ponds or walking tracks and are free.

Quranic Park in Al Khawaneej has gardens and a lake and is free to enter; the Cave of Miracles and Glass House charge a small separate fee.

Safa Park sits next to the Dubai Water Canal, with open lawns, for AED 3. Creek Park in Umm Hurair 2 has green space with water views for AED 5.

Beyond the park gates

• Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary has hides overlooking a flamingo roost, a lagoon and mangroves. Walk-in visitors register on arrival. See hours and hides.
• Al Qudra Lakes in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve have a path along the water and eight Dubai Municipality bird hides. See our Al Marmoom guide.

Before you go

• Check holiday timings in the Dubai Municipality app; park hours change on public holidays.
• Children aged two and under, and People of Determination, usually enter free.
• Some park gates take payment by Nol card.
• If you'd rather run, see where to run in Dubai; for more outdoor places, browse the Directory.

For general information. Details can change; check with Dubai Municipality before relying on them.