A good 3h drive from the city of Dubai (but still in the same emirate) there's a beautiful lake in the middle of the Hajar mountains. With kayaking, boats and quite different scenery than the city views, it's become a popular destination for tourists and residents.
The lake lies almost on the border with Oman which is famous for its wadis, mountains and a bit more greenery. One would think it's natural , but it's actually an artificial lake that was formed after a dam was built there in the late 90s. Still, it's a nice change from the urban areas.
There are more animals too, as birds come to nest on its shores - you can see herons and even swallows! I didn't take any photos of them but they're nicer to see live anyways 😊