Wadi Rum Camping: The Complete Guide [2023 UPDATE]

If you’ve decided to visit Wadi Rum, in Jordan, you’re in for a treat: otherworldly views, Bedouin hospitality, and loads of activities will make sure you'll return with a huge smile and plenty of stories to tell. 

And where you'll lay your head at night is an experience in itself: you see, this beautiful part of Jordan is situated in the heart of the desert, which means that the accommodation on offer is a little bit different to what you might be used to. Fear not though - what awaits you isn’t just different from your average night away, but incredibly special: Wadi Rum Glamping!

Wadi Rum Campsite. Check out the Martian landscape

Where to Stay in Wadi Rum?

The first thing that we should say is that there are plenty of options from which to choose if you’re looking for an overnight stay. These range from basic, budget affairs to high-end luxury tents with all mod cons, including WiFi, private terraces and en-suite bathrooms with western-style toilets and plenty of hot water.

If you’re travelling in Jordan on a budget, it’s quite possible to find a campsite where for just a few dollars a night you can enjoy a night out in the middle of nowhere.  But for those who prefer more comfort, there are some very fancy options.

Martian scenery? Martian tents

From beds that are like army cots to beds that wouldn’t look out of place in five-star hotels, all you need to do is figure out your budget beforehand. Campsites have easy access to bottled water and breakfast is almost always included (and often a buffet dinner too).

One thing you can be sure of, however, is that whichever camp you choose to stay at, you won’t have to put the tent up yourself!

The Basic Option: Budget Campsites in Wadi Rum

If you’re watching your money, the good news is that there are quite a few campsites out there that won’t break the bank. Whilst you might have to share a bathroom, and you won’t be treated to ‘extras’ like toiletries, hairdryers and air-con, many of these Bedouin camps have all the essentials - and, of course, the view at night is free!

The standard tents in a Wadi Rum Camp

If you’re not travelling on an organised tour to Wadi Rum, then expect to pay around $20-30 for basic accommodation (as well as entry to the site at a cost of 5 Jordanian dinars, unless you have the Jordan Pass, in which case it is free).

The Better Choice: Wadi Rum Luxury Camp

If you really want to push the boat out, then there’s nothing better than staying in a ‘Martian Dome’ (also known as ‘Bubble Tent’ or ‘Star Pod’) at an upscale camp.

Arguably, this is the ultimate way of spending the night since, not only are they extremely comfortable, they actually give you the opportunity of having an ‘outer-space experience’ in private.

The view from a Bubble Tent

How?  Because parts of the tent (be they a panel or sometimes the entire roof) are transparent, which means you can lie in bed and gaze up at thousands of twinkling stars in the clear desert sky. 

Even better, because the tents are well spaced-out, you’ll have plenty of privacy and won’t hear a peep from your neighbours!

This kind of accommodation is a lot more costly - you could pay close to $250 per night - but it really is an extraordinary and quite magical experience.

Bubble Tents at night

Desert Attractions: What to Do in Wadi Rum

One of the reasons some of the camps are so reasonably priced is that visitors to Wadi Rum are often looking for day-time activities to enjoy in the area, and many of the camps offer ‘add-ons’ for which you have to pay an additional charge.

Some are more costly than others but all are great fun in their own way and, depending on your stamina level, and how much you want to shell out, there are few people who leave the area feeling that they’ve missed out.

1. Sunrise Camel Riding

Since the dawn of time in the Arabian peninsula, camels were the primary means of transport between Europe and Asia (passing through the Middle East) so what better way to start your trip in Wadi Rum than with a journey on one of these graceful animals?

Camel Ride at sunrise

Setting off before dawn breaks, then watching the sunrise whilst you’re atop a camel, really will make you feel like a real nomad.  And trekking across a sandy wilderness, just like Lawrence of Arabia did, isn’t only a wonderful way to see the desert, but it also gives you a window into Bedouin life.  

2. Stargazing

If the best things in life are free, then this has to be one of them. Since Wadi Rum is in the midst of the desert, there’s little pollution so you’ll be able to stare up at the night sky and lose yourself amidst thousands of twinkling lights. And, yes, it’s definitely possible to see the Milky Way!  

Wadi Rum Stargazing

3. Taking a Jeep Tour

You can’t visit Wadi Rum and not enjoy a jeep tour of the desert - at least that’s what many visitors say.  And, with an experienced Bedouin driver behind the wheel, you’re free to enjoy the spectacular scenery and really explore the area.

Whether you book a two, four or six-hour jeep tour, make sure to take plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen (in the warmer months, these things are imperative!)  And whilst the roads are quite bumpy, this gives you the opportunity to visit a lot of the above activities - just tell your driver what you want to see most!

Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum

4. Trekking in the Khazali Canyon 

This narrow canyon (with two fig trees marking its entrance) might appear quite nondescript from the outside but once you’ve squeezed through the narrow passageway, which is less than 100 metres long, you’ll be rewarded by the sight of some extremely well-preserved petroglyphs. 

These impressive rock carvings date back to the Stone Age and, made using stone chisels and hammerstones, depict animals, humans and Islamic inscriptions.  

Wadi Rum Rock Carvings

5. Hiking around the Rock Bridges and Sandstone Arches

The Rock Bridges and sandstone arches in Wadi Rum are wow-factor geological formations - and whether you take a tour here at sunrise or sunset, you’ll be bowled over by them.  

If you are reasonably fit and don’t suffer from vertigo, you are going to be able to climb up one of them and enjoy magnificent views.

The three most popular to visit are Burdah, Um Fruth and Little Bridge. Burdah is one of the largest of its kind in the world and provides particularly good photographic opportunities.  

Wadi Rum Rock Arch

6. Visiting the Lawrence Springs and Lawrence House

Given its name by Lawrence of Arabia, who purportedly rested there during the Arab Revolt, this is a spring that Bedouins have visited for generations, to stop and sip clear water whilst they heard their goats.

The view from the spring is beautiful, overlooking the valley.  All around you, you’ll see red, ochre and white rocks, and the bright green moss around the spring itself contrasts magnificently with the desert hues.

Nearby is the Lawrence House, where the man himself is supposed to have slept, and whilst it is nothing particularly special, it was built on an original Nabatean structure and exudes mystery!

Marvel at the view!

7. Sandboarding on the Dunes

Great for those seeking a thrill, Wadi Rum is home to quite a few sand dunes - small and large.  And it’s not just incredibly fun to slip down these slopes, whilst attached to a board - it’s also a fine opportunity to take photographs.

Whether you’re a beginner - in which case the smaller ones will be your friends - or more experienced and looking to pick up your speed on a bigger dune - this might be one of the most adventurous activities you’ve undertaken in a while!

The Red Dune of Wadi Rum

8. Enjoying a Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

If you really want a bird’s eye view of Wadi Rum, then why not splash some cash (around $200) and jump into a hot air balloon that, as it rises slowly above the ground, treats you to breathtaking views of the desert?

Stunning landscapes, combined with desert serenity, make for a spectacular two-hour trip and although it’s a bit of a splurge, this is a popular activity and you’ll have to book it in advance if you want to be sure of securing a spot.

Hot Air Balloon in the desert

If you’re thinking about visiting Wadi Rum, then probably the most convenient way to do it is with an organised tour.  This means that everything’s taken care of from start to finish - transport there, accommodation and food. The various camps all offer an array of activities (some of which we’ve mentioned above) and you can also book trips via the Wadi Rum Visitors Centre.

Bein Harim offers you the opportunity of seeing both desert landscapes and the ‘Rose City’ on a two-day Petra and Wadi Rum tour, which departs from Eilat in Israel, just across the border from Jordan. Feel free to contact us; tours depart daily and include an overnight stay in a Bedouin camp