Al Rafisah Dam: Hours, Parking, Kayak Prices & Directions
Entry to Al Rafisah Dam is free, but parking is not. Paid bays around the lake run every day from 8 AM to midnight, starting at AED 2 for the first hour. The walkways, waterfall and play areas cost nothing, and boat hire starts at AED 40.
The dam sits in the Hajar Mountains on the road to Khorfakkan, under an hour’s drive from Sharjah city. A mountain lake, a 55-metre waterfall and a hiking trail to a hilltop rest house make it an easy day trip from Dubai or Sharjah.
Al Rafisah Dam general information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Wadi Shie, Hajar Mountains, on the S142 Sharjah-Khorfakkan road |
| Entry | Free |
| Dam & walking areas | Open 24 hours, daily |
| Parking | Paid daily, 8 AM to midnight, from AED 2 an hour |
| Boat & kayak hire | From AED 40, 7 AM to 9 PM |
| Lakeside walkway | 730 m, lined with palm trees |
| Waterfall | 55 m, man-made |
| Elevation | 197 m |
| Best months | October to April |
History & setting
The dam was built in the 1980s across Wadi Shie, a seasonal watercourse that runs down the Hajar Mountains toward Khorfakkan. It protects the town from flash floods and gives the valley a permanent lake. The wadi’s river bed is also known among archaeologists for the artefacts found along it.
The lakeside recreation area came decades later, as part of the 14-year S142 highway project that linked Sharjah’s interior with the east coast. The same project restored a nearby heritage village.
The development covers 10,684 square metres. It has seating for 300 people, a 45-space main car park, walkways, prayer facilities and three play areas totalling around 410 square metres.
Gazelles roam the mountainside, and wintering and migratory birds, including Little Grebes, use the lake. Tilapia and red-eared slider turtles are introduced species that now live in the water. Submerged ruins become partly visible in summer.
Opening hours & entry
Entry is free, and the dam and walking areas stay open 24 hours a day. The venues on site keep their own hours:
| Venue | Hours |
|---|---|
| Al Khor Kayak (boats & kayaks) | 7 AM to 9 PM |
| The Rafisah Lounge (restaurant) | 8 AM to 10 PM |
| Alsad Ice Cream (snacks & coffee) | 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM |
| Sharjah Coop mini mart | 7 AM to midnight |
Parking & how to pay
Parking at the dam is paid every day, and the paid parking hours in Khorfakkan run from 8 AM to midnight, including weekends and public holidays. The tariff is AED 2 for 1 hour, AED 5 for 2 hours, AED 8 for 3 hours and AED 12 for 5 hours.
Three payment methods work:
- Pay at the parking machine and keep the e-ticket.
- Send an SMS to 5566 with the plate source, plate number and parking hours.
- Pay through the Digital Sharjah app.
The main car park holds about 45 vehicles, and hikers have a separate lot at the start of the trail.
Boat & kayak prices
A single kayak costs AED 40 and a double costs AED 80, both for unlimited time. Al Khor Kayak runs the boats, and the pedal and donut boats are charged by the hour.
| Boat | Price | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Single kayak | AED 40, unlimited time | 1 adult |
| Double kayak | AED 80, unlimited time | 2 adults and 1 child |
| Pedal boat | AED 100 per hour | 2 adults and 2 children |
| Brown pedal boat | AED 150 per hour | 3 adults and 2 children |
| Donut boat | AED 250 per hour | 4 adults and 2 children |
The group size decides the cheapest option. Two double kayaks cost AED 160 and carry four adults and two children for unlimited time, against AED 250 for an hour on a donut boat with the same group. A family of two adults and two children fits the AED 100 pedal boat, while two adults and one child fit a double kayak for AED 80.
Fish and birds fill the lake, and gazelles on the mountainside are easy to spot from the water.
Things to do at the dam
- Walk the 730 m promenade. It runs from the dam toward the mountain edge, with palm trees and benches along the way.
- See the waterfall. The man-made fall drops 55 metres into the lake and is framed by greenery.
- Climb to the castle (Al Hosn). A short flight of stairs up the mountainside leads to a view over the whole lake, and the climb takes about 30 minutes.
- Let children use the three play areas, which have swings, slides and other play units.
- Watch birds from the lakeside seating, especially in the cooler months.
Hiking trails from the dam
The trail from the dam to the hilltop rest house and back takes about 3 hours. It is an easy to moderate, well-marked route through rock formations, and the first stretch gives wide views for anyone who wants to turn back early.
Trail to Al Suhub Rest House
The trail ends at Al Suhub Rest House, a lookout and restaurant 580 metres above sea level. Walkers need 1 to 1.5 hours each way plus time at the top.
Pack more water than seems necessary, plus snacks, hiking shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Go with a friend unless you are experienced, check the weather first and tell someone your route. The trail passes farm workers and local residents, so be respectful of them.
Al Rabi Tower trail
Al Rabi Tower was built in 1915 as part of Khorfakkan’s defence network and anchors a separate hike on the Khorfakkan side. Allow 2 to 3 hours including rests.
How to get to Al Rafisah Dam
The drive from Sharjah city takes under an hour, and from central Dubai it takes about 85 to 90 minutes. Steps for a first visit by car:
- Join the S142 Sharjah-Khorfakkan highway from Sharjah city.
- Follow the road east through the Hajar Mountains toward Khorfakkan.
- Look for the lake as the road crosses the crest of a hill.
- Park in the main car park, then pay by machine, SMS or app.
Open the Google Maps pin for the dam and follow it from Sharjah or Dubai. A taxi from Dubai or Sharjah to the Khorfakkan area costs about AED 300 to AED 360 one way. Several day tours from Dubai cover Khorfakkan and the east coast and stop at the dam, with optional kayaking.
Facilities on site
- A mosque with separate areas for men and women.
- Toilets for men and women, with disabled access.
- The Rafisah Lounge, which serves grills, soups, salads and juices with a view over the reservoir.
- Alsad Ice Cream for snacks, coffee and ice cream flavours.
- A Sharjah Coop mini mart for water, crisps and drive supplies.
- Seating areas around the lake for up to 300 people.
Rules & safety
- Swimming is prohibited in the lake.
- Life jackets are mandatory on every boat and kayak.
- Flying a drone needs prior approval from the aviation authorities.
- Camping is not allowed.
Best time to visit
October to April is the best period, with mild air for the lake and the trail. The boats start at 7 AM, so a morning visit gives the longest day on the water. In the hotter months, start the hike early.
Nearby places
The restored heritage village of Najd Al Maqsar is close to the dam. Drivers coming from Sharjah pass Wadi Shees first, and the Shees Rest Area there has shops and a free play area.
Further down the road, the town of Khorfakkan has more to fill a day:
- Khorfakkan Beach for swimming and water sports.
- Khorfakkan Amphitheater and its waterfall facing the bay.
- Souq Sharq, a heritage souq.
- The Resistance Monument, with views over the town.
FAQ
Is Al Rafisah Dam free?
Entry is free, and the dam and walking areas are open 24 hours. Parking, boat hire and food are paid.
Can you swim at Al Rafisah Dam?
No. Swimming is prohibited in the lake, and life jackets are mandatory on every boat and kayak.
How much is kayaking at Al Rafisah Dam?
A single kayak costs AED 40 and a double costs AED 80, both for unlimited time. Pedal boats cost AED 100 to AED 150 per hour, and the donut boat costs AED 250 per hour.
How far is Al Rafisah Dam from Dubai?
It is about 85 to 90 minutes by car from central Dubai via the S142 highway. From Sharjah city the drive takes under an hour.
Is Al Rafisah Dam in Sharjah or Fujairah?
It is in Sharjah, on the road to Khorfakkan, Sharjah’s east coast town. Parking there is paid through Sharjah’s systems, including the Digital Sharjah app.
Is there parking at Al Rafisah Dam?
Yes. The main car park holds about 45 vehicles, and hikers have a separate lot at the start of the trail. Parking costs AED 2 for 1 hour and is charged from 8 AM to midnight every day.
Next steps
- Pick a morning between October and April.
- Set up parking payment before you leave the car: the machine, SMS to 5566 or the Digital Sharjah app.
- Choose a boat from the price table, starting with a double kayak for groups of up to three.
- Pack water and hiking shoes if you plan to walk to Al Suhub Rest House.
- Drive on to Khorfakkan Beach or the amphitheater to finish the day.
