The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has allowed registered campers who have confirmed their designated locations to begin setting up their winter camp before the official launch of the 2026-27 camping season on October 25, aiming to streamline procedures and prevent congestion.
The decision, issued under the direction of HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, is intended to give campers more time to prepare for the short winter season while ensuring an orderly start.
Salim Qadri al-Yami, assistant director of the Wildlife Protection Department and head of the ministry’s field camping team, said campers who have completed registration, co-ordinated with the relevant inspector and confirmed their locations, may begin setting up immediately.
Early access is expected to ease traffic congestion and let campers organise their sites without compromising environmental protection, site preservation, or safety requirements.
Al-Yami noted that the ministry has introduced new camping areas and updated site names to improve its camping database and ensure greater accuracy in geographical co-ordinates.
The ministry has also opened new camping sites in Sealine and Khawr Al Adaid this year.
The ministry has authorised up to 5,000 camping cabins across the two areas, while stressing the importance of preserving the natural landscape and preventing environmental damage.
The ministry has also updated camping regulations, particularly those governing fire safety, to reduce accidents and protect lives, property and vegetation.
Campers experiencing difficulties with registration or site confirmation can contact the ministry’s operations room through its hotline, 16066.
Aisha Mohamed al-Muhaiza, head of Infrastructure and Project Management at the ministry’s Information Systems Department, said the ministry upgraded the electronic registration system to speed up bookings and improve coordination with government agencies.
Bookings for Sealine reached 100% of available sites on the first day of registration for the southern region.
Reservations in other southern areas reached 90% by Thursday, while the central region recorded 90% occupancy within three days.
Overall, 50% of the camping sites allocated nationwide had been booked.