A Traveler's Guide to Ein Avdat National Park in Israel
Our travel guide to Ein Avdat National Park includes things to do, hiking trails, how to get, entrance fee, opening hours, and things to know before you go.
If there was one place on our Israel road trip that caught us completely off guard, it was Ein Avdat National Park in the Negev Desert.
Also spelled as En Avdat National Park, this extraordinary place is all about nature.
Unlike many other historical sites we've visited on our journey (which this country has aplenty), this natural sight was a nice change from all those monuments, synagogues, mosques, or churches.
But don't worry, even here in the middle of the desert, you can still find some traces of ancient history.
Bedouin nomads and monks looking for place to contemplate were living in this area hundreds of years before tourism took over.
Located in Zin Valley (sometimes Tsin or Tzin Valley), Ein Avdat is an oasis in an otherwise extremely unhospitable area.
It's home to ibexes, saltbushes, Euphrates poplar trees, pool reflections, and stunning layers of sedimentary rocks.
We've already seen some top deserty natural attractions in Israel, such as Timna Park or Red Canyon, and Ein Avdat is just as good as these better-known places.
Moreover, Ein Avdat National Park has the feel of an off-the-beaten place that is skipped by many international travelers.
And we believe its intimate atmosphere is something you shouldn't miss out on.
So how did we end up here? It was another long day in Israel for us, as we traveled from Eilat to Tel Aviv to return our rental car and prepare for the flight back home.
We left Eilat early in the morning in order to get to Maktesh Ramon before it got too hot. Later we drove to Avdat National Park and finally to Ein Avdat National Park.
And yes, that's not a typo, see the text below.
It was a tiring day, and hopefully, you will find some helpful information in this blog post; and more importantly, we hope we'll inspire you to visit this place.
So without further ado, here's everything you should know about Ein Avdat National Park before you go.
What Does Ein Avdat Mean?
If you're curious about what Ein Avdat means, here's some explanation. Ein means in Hebrew and Arabic 'spring', which is quite self-explanatory and describes this canyon accurately.
More places bearing this name are scattered around Israel, and you might have already been to Ein Gedi National Park near the Dead Sea.
So what does Avdat mean? Avdat is a derivation from the name of the Nabatean King Ovdat I.
Nabateans were Arab nomads using the Incense Road for trading, and they are mostly known for founding the famous Lost City of Petra in Jordan.
While the meaning of foreign names is always interesting, there is one more practical reason why we mention it.
Not far from here (about four kilometers from the southwestern entrance) lies a place with an almost identical name.
Avdat National Park is a different site that's missing the word “Ein”.
You can find some fantastic historical structures, caves, and lots of history there.
It comes with a price, though, in this case literally, because there is a separate entrance fee to this national park.
Having said that, this place that has Nabatean, Roman, and Byzantine history is definitely worth a visit, and you can read more about our visit to Avdat National Park here.
How to Get There
The nearest settlement to Ein Avdat National Park is Sde Boker kibbutz. The entrance itself is in Midreshet Ben Gurion, where you can find an educational center and Ben Gurion's Tomb National Park.
The easiest way to get to Ein Avdat is by car, but there is also a public transport option for those who don't want to drive.
Driving in Israel is easy, so it's not the best option, but it's doable.
If you have a car, you can easily visit some nearby attractions as well. Therefore, we believe it's worth renting a car in Israel.
Car
Ein Avdat National Park lies about 55 kilometers south of Beer Sheva, and it shouldn't take you more than an hour to get there by car.
If you're traveling from (or to) Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, be prepared that the 170 kilometers long journey (almost the same distance in both cases) might take you those suggested two hours or longer depending on the current traffic.
Mitzpe Ramon is 36 kilometers south of Ein Avdat National Park.
Eilat, a resort town lying on the borders with Egypt and Jordan, can be reached in two and half hours (185km) from here.
Ein Bokek, home to many resorts on the shores of the Dead Sea, is located about 110 kilometers northeast of Ein Avdat.
Here’s the link to see the best deals on rental cars in Israel.
Bus
Catching a bus (Metropoline 64, 65, 160) that runs between Be'er Sheva and Mitzpe Ramon is quite easy.
Buses leave from 6 AM Be'er Sheva's Central Station approximately every 30-40 minutes, and the journey should take about 45 minutes.
Taking a bus from Be'er Sheva to Ein Avdat is okay if you want to visit only this place, but not very feasible if you have on your itinerary places such as Avdat National Park or Maktesh Ramon.
Also, remember that the bus will drop you off either on Highway 40 or near the entrance gate, so you still need to walk three to four kilometers just to reach the canyon entrance.
The only upside is that there is also a bus stop on the main road at the other side of the canyon, so you can enjoy the point-to-point trail as it's meant to be walked.
Having said that, we would double-check if this information is still valid at the time of your trip.
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Entrance Gates
Ein Avdat National Park has two entrances, and figuring out where to start is not easy as it might seem.
While we recommend visiting both entrances, it's essential to understand the park's layout to avoid confusion.
We had a Czech version of Lonely Planet's Israel Guidebook, and we believe there had to be something lost in translation as we couldn't crack the instruction of where is the better place to arrive.
Or it was just not our day.
In a nutshell, there is a southwest and northeast entrance to the park, and you can get to both of them from Highway 40.
The most crucial part of knowing about En Avdat is that if you want to hike in the park, you can only do so from the northeast (lower) parking lot.
The southwest (upper) parking serves only as an exit for hikers from the canyon, plus you can find there a stunning viewpoint.
What's probably the most confusing part for travelers who haven't been there yet, is the fact that the northeast entrance has, in reality, two gates.
One of them (the upper one, yeah right, it's confusing) is directly in Midreshet Ben Gurion, and the other one is at the bottom of the valley about three kilometers from here.
Both gates are connected by a paved road offering stunning views of the Tsin Valley, so drive slowly and enjoy the desolated scenery.
Lastly, at the upper gate, you need to purchase a ticket that you will also show at the lower gate.
The reason behind this slight confusion is that there is another dirt road that branches off at the bottom of the valley before you reach the canyon itself.
What to See and Do in Ein Avdat National Park
As mentioned above, we traveled to En Avdat National Park from the southern direction. Admittedly, we didn't do much research on the area, so we were not sure what to expect.
But that's one of those things we love about traveling the most.
Sometimes, the expectations we all have for places we are about to visit are simply unrealistic. And arriving at an unknown place that pleasantly surprises you is exceptionally rewarding.
So what is there to do in Ein Avdat?
Upper Parking Lot
Driving from Eilat showed us some incredible moon-like scenery (well, if the moon was brown and yellow).
As we turned right from Highway 40 onto a less than a kilometer-long paved road, we were greeted by a few signs that mentioned we should have a valid ticket.
As there wasn't any entrance gate like in Nimrod Fortress or Tzipori National Park, we were not sure if we should continue or not, but the parking lot area was close, so we decided to give it a try.
Soon enough, we parked the car in the designated area and found a small kiosk where we could buy the ticket.
The guy working there was nice and helpful and explained what we could see and do in the park.
He also pointed out that we've arrived at the wrong entrance if we want to hike in the canyon.
As it turned out, the southwestern entrance was the one that's often marked as the upper entrance. Anyway.
Viewing Platform
We didn't let this fact discourage us, and after we ate a snack consisting of muesli and bananas, we found the trailhead.
A really short and well-maintained trail took us to the edge of the rim.
From here, the canyon opened in front of us in its full glory. And what a sight it was!
As we haven't looked at the photos before, we were absolutely blown away to see the beautifully meandering white canyon with permanent plant life.
The first thing that instantly popped into both our minds was that the place looked very similar to the Garden of Eden in Kings Canyon in Australia.
As this is only a viewpoint, it was a really quick stop.
For your safety, stay on the designated trail. There is a self-explanatory sign Abyss Ahead which should warn off anybody thinking about wandering off the trail.
Lower Parking Lot
When we returned to our car, we headed out to the northeast entrance, where we showed the ticket to the lady working at the kiosk.
Then we descended through a zigzagging road to the lower parking lot where we had to present the ticket once again.
The parking lot was mostly empty, except for several school trip buses. There is a free public restroom and taps with drinking water.
Ein Mor Spring
Right next to the parking lot is Ein Mor spring, which got its name after myrrh. Myrrh is a resin extracted from the Commiphora trees and was used as medicine, incense, or perfume.
A bit further down the trail, a beautiful terebinth tree can be found.
Monk's Cave
Once we dived deeper into the canyon, we started to look for the caves that were inhabited by the monks in the Byzantine period looking for a place of seclusion.
We must admit that this place was one of the best places they could find in the whole desert.
However, the caves are beyond the poplar groove, but you can still see some amazing natural caves and holes along the way.
While the archaeology finds at these caves are interesting, make sure to also see the caves at nearby Avdat National Park for even more history.
Poplar Trees Grove - The Point of Return
When we reached a junction under a massive natural cave, we had two options, to see the waterfall or to continue via stone-carved steps.
As we had seen a big group of kids on a school trip, we left the waterfall for our return journey.
At the top of the stairs, we continued on a ledge along the huge rock wall and the waterfall with a pool below us.
As we crossed the stream running through a carved rock, we emerged in a charming groove of Euphrates poplar trees that also had a sign that suggested that this is the point of return, and you should only proceed further if planning to climb to the top of the rim.
We took a short break in the shade and decided after while that it was time to visit the last attraction in the canyon.
If you are hiking through the entire canyon, make sure to visit the waterfall first.
Waterfall
Our clever tactics paid off, and after we retraced our steps to the small V junction, we appeared at the base of a 15-meter high waterfall alone.
A deep dark blue pool stands still, and we can only imagine how the barely visible flow of water that feeds it can turn into a raging fall in a matter of seconds.
By the way, while the pool's color is dark blue, you wouldn't have probably guessed that it is 8 meters deep.
If you want to visit the waterfall first, take the left branch of the path at the junction, and cross a rocky bridge that will take you to another natural platform from where you can see the waterfall on your right.
Either way, make sure to come down to the base of the waterfall to see it from a different perspective.
The volume of the water was extremely low on the day of our visit, so don't expect to see Banias Waterfalls which can be found in Hermon Stream Nature Reserve.
But once again, you wouldn't want to be here when the waterfall shows its true power.
Hiking Trails
Due to the nature of this place, there is only one main hiking trail snaking through the canyon. This path has two versions, a short or long route, depending on where you want to finish your hike.
Regardless of your choice, both trails start at the northeastern parking lot (lower entrance).
Short Route - Canyon Trail
The short and mostly flat route in Ein Avdat National Park is a 2-kilometer in-and-out trail that will show you the best places in the canyon.
The only disadvantage is that this is not a loop, so you need to retrace your steps to get back to your car.
For us, it wasn't technically a downside, as we didn't have that much time to wait for the bus or hitchhike to get back to the place we parked our car.
Long Route - Ladder Trail
The 3-kilometer point-to-point trail will take you from the lower parking lot at the northeastern entrance all the way through the canyon to the upper parking lot at the southwestern entrance.
This route continues beyond the groove of Euphrates poplar trees and includes some carved steps, metal steps, and ladders.
The elevation gain on this trail is about 100 meters, and any moderately fit person should be able to climb from the bottom to the rim.
While it's unfortunate that you can't hike to the rim and back, it's only for the safety of all visitors.
Ein Akev Trail
A moderately challenging 12-kilometer hike to Ein Akev Stream will take you through the Negev Desert to another pool. And, if lucky, away from the crowds.
Leave the car at the Serpantinot Night Camping junction (at the end of the zigzags), and follow the green markers for about 6 kilometers until you reach the pool.
You can retrace your steps or make a loop via a blue trail that turns into a dirt road for 4x4 cars.
This trail is far more popular with locals, and if short on time, you can skip it with a clear conscience.
Is Ein Avdat Safe to Visit?
Yes, Ein Avdat is safe to visit, but make sure you're prepared for the extreme weather conditions of the Negev Desert.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Israel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee is 28 NIS per adult, but you can lower your expenses by purchasing the Israel National Park Pass.
We believe it's totally worth it; you just need to figure out which type of pass is right for you.
For more information, don't forget to check out our blog post on Israel National Park Pass.
Moreover, when we arrived first at the upper parking, the guy at the kiosk told us that he could split the entrance fee into two halves.
So we could enjoy the viewpoint and decide later whether we wanted to hike through the canyon or not.
And, of course, pay the other half of the entry fee at the other entrance. Not sure how common this is in other places that offer similar experiences, but that's what we've been told.
Can You Swim in Ein Avdat?
Fortunately (at least from our point of view), swimming is prohibited in Ein Avdat to protect the fragile ecosystem in the canyon.
While we can't deny that the idea of swimming in the canyon's refreshing pools seems tempting on extremely hot days, we don't want to fathom what the place would look like if this activity was allowed here.
It comes without saying that wading is not permitted here as well.
Opening Hours
Ein Avdat's summer opening hours are 8 AM to 5 PM from Saturday to Sunday and 8 AM to 4 PM on Fridays and holidays.
Winter opening hours in Ein Avdat are similar to the high season, but the park closes every day an hour earlier.
Therefore, the park is open in winter from Saturday to Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM and on Friday and holidays from 8 AM to 3 PM.
Just make sure that the park is open on the day of your visit, as opening hours can change at any time, and be aware of major holidays that affect the opening hours as well.
In a nutshell, Ein Avdat National Park's opening hours are pretty similar to every other national park in Israel.
How Much Time Do You Need
If you decide to hike the in-and-out trail and spend a short time at the viewpoint, the visit to Ein Avdat National Park should take about two hours.
Sure, you can stay a bit longer in the park (or less), but that's about the time we've spent in the park ourselves.
The longer route will take you about the same time, but you also need to include traveling time from one parking to another unless you've prearranged some transport.
If you want to hike the Ein Akev Trail, you can easily spend almost the entire day here, especially if you also include Ben Gurion's Tomb or nearby Avdat National Park.
Parking
Both entrances have their own free parking lot, and it was easy for us to find a parking space.
While the upper parking at the southwest entrance is right next to the viewpoint, the lower parking at the northeast requires additional driving from the first entrance gate at Midreshet Ben Gurion (you need to descent from the settlement to the valley).
Right next to the ticket booth at Midreshet Ben Gurion is another parking, but that's for the visitors of Ben Gurion National Park.
Where to Stay
Finding accommodation along the Highway 40 connecting Be'er Sheva and Eilat is not particularly difficult.
If you want to finish your day near Avdat, then you can stay directly in the Sde Boker Kibbutz.
One of the best chances to find accommodation is in Mitzpe Ramon. This small town provides both budget camping experiences and luxury hotels with outdoor pools and stunning views.
Of course, you can also stay in Eilat, Beer Sheva, or even Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, depending on your travel itinerary. One thing is certain, though.
Make sure to reserve your hotel room in advance to avoid increasing prices in the high season.
Sde Boker | Isrotel Kedma - This brand new hotel is a beautiful oasis in the Negev Desert. You will find everything you need in Isrotel Kedma and much more. It's not the most budget-friendly accommodation here, but it's only a small price to experience a true oasis.
Mitzpe Ramon | Even Derech - Centrally located hotel has nice decor, clean rooms, friendly staff, available parking, and lovely terrace.
Be'er Sheva | La Finca Luxury Suites Hotel - Despite its name, this hotel offers fairly affordable accommodation in the heart of Be'er Sheva. Rooms are air-conditioned, spacious, and clean, and there is also a shared kitchen and an outdoor jacuzzi.
When to Go
The best time to visit Ein Avdat National Park is either in spring or autumn.
Due to its location, Ein Avdat can be a scorching place in summer. Temperatures exceeding 40 Celsius are no exception, and the whole area receives almost no rain.
The situation gets a bit better in autumn and spring as the temperatures drop to more bearable levels.
The lowest temperature recorded in Ein Avdat National Park was -3.6 Celsius in January, but that was probably during the night when the park is closed anyway.
We visited the park on one of November's sunny afternoons, and the weather was excellent.
It was a beautiful clear day, and as the temperature was exceeding 27 Celsius, we could still feel the power of the sun on our skin.
And yet, there was still some water flowing through the canyon. Well, that's not a surprise as the stream flows through the canyon all year round.
Winter in Ein Avdat can surprise you with some rain, which can cause hazardous flash floods, so it might not be the best time to go there.
Here you will find more information on the best time to visit Israel.
What to Pack
It comes as no surprise that you should bring some headcover to protect your head from the sun. Also, a strong sunscreen is a must-have if you're planning to spend a bit more time in the park.
While you can find the shade in the canyon if you start early in the morning (or late in the afternoon) as the rock walls might block the sun, it's still better to come prepared.
Don't forget to bring plenty of water with you and stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if you want to hike to Ein Akev.
Bring your own water bottle to lower plastic footprint.
It's also recommended to wear proper footwear; regular runners should do, but we wouldn't recommend you flip flops or sandals.
Is Ein Avdat Worth Visiting?
We don't know what your Israel itinerary will look like, but if you're passing by, then we believe Ein Avdat National Park is worth a visit.
Due to its accessibility and stunning views, we enjoyed our time here more than in much more famous Maktesh Ramon.
If you are deciding whether it's worth making a detour here, things might get a bit more complicated.
We would recommend seeing this place, but as Israel is full of amazing places, you might find some better alternatives that suit your preferences more.
But again, we are really glad that we made it here, and as you will find plenty of other interesting places nearby, then we would say go for it.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
