Shees Rest Area: Location, Facilities & How to Get There
Shees Rest Area has 58 shops, a 210-space car park and a mosque, all on the Khorfakkan-Sharjah Road just after the Al Raugh Tunnel. Most stalls are run by families from Shees and Al Nahwa, so much of the fruit, vegetables and plants on sale comes from their own farms.
The site works as a fuel-and-food stop on the drive through the Hajar Mountains and as a base for Wadi Shees, a few kilometres further on. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, opened it in late 2023 and handed ownership of the retail units to residents of both villages.
Shees Rest Area details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | After the Al Raugh Tunnel on the Khorfakkan-Sharjah Road (S142), Hajar Mountains |
| Shops | 58 shops and stalls, owned by residents of Shees and Al Nahwa |
| Food | Street food kiosks, cafés and light dining |
| Parking | 210 spaces, including 6 for people with disabilities |
| Children’s play area | 600 m², free to use |
| Outdoor theatre | 430 m², seats 80, 24 m² projection screen |
| Mosque | Room for about 300 worshippers |
| Fuel | Petrol station on site |
| Public transport | Two bus stops |
| Nearest attractions | Shees Park and Wadi Shees, a few kilometres away |
How to get there
Driving is the simplest way to reach Shees Rest Area, and the route is a single road once you leave Emirates Road.
- From Dubai or Sharjah, join Emirates Road (E611) towards Khorfakkan.
- Take the Khorfakkan exit onto the S142, the Khorfakkan-Sharjah Road.
- Drive through the Al Raugh Tunnel (Al Raugh Tunnel Road).
- The rest area comes straight after the tunnel, with three entrances off a service road.
Allow these drive times to the east coast:
- Sharjah city: about 1 hour
- Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah: about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Abu Dhabi: about 2 hours
Two bus stops sit on the site itself.
What you will find on site
Shops & the produce market
The market is the main draw, and what it sells is local. Many of the 58 stalls stock produce grown on the owners’ own farms.
Other stalls cover:
- Plant nurseries with potted plants and garden stock
- Carpets and traditional pottery
- Camping supplies and outdoor equipment
- Perfumes
Food & drink
Street food kiosks, cafés and light dining options line the market, so a tea, a snack or a quick meal is easy to find on the way through the mountains.
Family areas
The shaded children’s play area covers 600 square metres and costs nothing to use. Beside it, the shaded outdoor theatre covers 430 square metres, seats 80 people and has a 24 square metre projection screen.
Mosque & fuel
The mosque holds about 300 worshippers. The petrol station on site serves both visitors and through traffic on the S142, so it is a sensible place to fill up before heading further into the mountains.
Parking & access
The car park has 210 spaces in front of the rest area, with 6 of them reserved for people with disabilities. Three entrances connect it to the service road.
Cars are fine here. The site sits directly on the Khorfakkan-Sharjah Road, and only the drive into Wadi Shees itself calls for a 4×4.
Weather & mountain driving
The rest area sits at altitude in the Hajar Mountains, so temperatures drop steeply compared with Sharjah city and rain showers can arrive when the coast is dry. A light layer is worth packing in winter.
Avoid mountain driving during rainfall. Valleys here flood quickly, and the current in a flooded wadi can carry a car away. If rain is forecast, skip the Wadi Shees leg and keep the stop to the rest area.
Shees Park, Wadi Shees & other stops nearby
The rest area is the practical stop. The scenery is a short drive away:
- Shees Park: a few kilometres on, with a 25-metre artificial waterfall, a children’s play area, barbecue pits and shaded benches. The waterfall is at the park, not at the rest area.
- Wadi Shees: the Wadi Shees nature trail is a 1.8 km loop that takes 30 to 40 minutes and suits all ages. It follows an old falaj channel past terraced farms and palm groves, with no major rest spots, so bring water, food and sturdy shoes.
- Shees Village adds a restored old village to the walk.
- Al Rafisah Dam: about 15 minutes by car, with a play area, kayaking and cafés.
- The coast: the Khorfakkan Amphitheater and its waterfall and Khorfakkan Beach make a natural finish to the day after the mountains.
FAQ
Where is Shees Rest Area?
It is on the Khorfakkan-Sharjah Road (S142) in the Hajar Mountains, just after the Al Raugh Tunnel and a few kilometres from Shees Park and Wadi Shees.
How do I get to Shees Rest Area from Dubai?
Take Emirates Road (E611), exit for Khorfakkan onto the S142 and drive through the Al Raugh Tunnel. The rest area follows straight after. Dubai to the east coast takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Is there a mosque at Shees Rest Area?
Yes. The mosque has room for about 300 worshippers.
Is the children’s play area free?
Yes. The shaded play area covers 600 square metres and is free to use.
How many parking spaces does Shees Rest Area have?
210 spaces, including 6 reserved for people with disabilities.
Who runs the shops at Shees Rest Area?
Residents of Shees and Al Nahwa, who received ownership of the retail units. Many sell produce grown on their own farms.
Is Shees Park inside the rest area?
No. Shees Park is a separate park a few kilometres away, and it is where the 25-metre waterfall is.
Do I need a 4×4 to reach Shees Rest Area?
No. The rest area is on the paved Khorfakkan-Sharjah Road and a normal car is fine. A 4×4 is only recommended for driving into Wadi Shees.
Plan your stop
- Fill up at the on-site petrol station before continuing into the mountains.
- Check the forecast, and leave Wadi Shees for another day if rain is expected.
- Buy fruit, vegetables and plants from the stalls, where many owners sell their own farm produce.
- Walk the 1.8 km Wadi Shees loop in sturdy shoes, with water and food packed.
- Add Shees Park for the waterfall, then finish on the coast at Khorfakkan.
