The Ultimate Guide to Timna Park, Israel
Read our travel guide on Timna Park in Israel. Here, you will find information on how to get there from Eilat, when to go, entrance fee, best places to visit, or where to stay.
Visiting a horseshoe-shaped valley of Timna Park on a day trip from Eilat is one of the best things to do while in the area.
When we were in the middle of our journey-planning process back home, we faced a dilemma about how many days to spend in Eilat.
We were unsure for how long the city could entertain us as lazing on the beach and being inactive is not exactly our thing.
For sure, we did not want to skip it entirely, but we did not feel that excited to travel that far south, only for the beach and snorkeling.
Then I noticed on Google Maps that Timna Park is near Eilat and figured that this place might have been worth checking out.
From the moment I clicked on the small thumbnail and the photos popped up on my screen, I knew that this was a place we had to see on our trip to Israel.
And when I showed some of the images to Lucie, we both agreed that Timna Park reminds us of Wadi Rum, which we had visited last year in Jordan. A stunning place we loved so much.
Timna Park is slightly different, though, and offers a unique experience on its own.
Unfortunately, we didn't know if we'd have enough time for it as our Israel itinerary was packed.
Eventually, it all worked out, and we are glad we can share with you this wonderful site that is still under the tourist radar.
So here's everything you should know about Timna Park before you go.
Timna Park
We were pretty excited to visit Timna Park, which was a bit against our own travel advice we love to share with you so often.
To keep expectations low while traveling.
This is one of the best all-time travel tips we can give you, but we're still only humans, so this time we shuffled it somewhere at the back of our minds.
At least we stayed away from everything you can read and find about Timna Park online, so we arrived there with only a rough idea of what to expect.
Sure, we knew that we would probably see some fantastic rock formations and vast desert areas, but we didn't expect to find some ancient historical sites there as well.
Don't expect Nimrod Fortress, Avdat National Park, or Caesarea here, though.
The sites are pretty small, and not much was left here, but the historical importance of those sites is not marginal.
The copper mining in Timna Park dates back to 5000 BCE, and that's not a date you hear very often. At least when living outside Israel.
Roads in Timna Park
Before we dive into the article deeper, there is one thing that we need to clarify.
One of the essential things you should know about Timna Park is that not all roads in the park are paved.
Fortunately, you don't need to rent 4WD in order to get around as most of them are in good condition.
However, some parts of the roads were a bit rougher, so drive slowly.
Knowing the road conditions in the park might help you in deciding whether it's worth renting a car in Eilat, even just for a day to see Timna Park or not.
What to See and Do in Timna Park
Timna Park offers ancient history, breathtaking landscape, and unique geology. So what's not to like?
There are plenty of things to do and see in Timna Park that will entertain you for at least a full day.
We'll go through them in the order we've visited them, but feel free to adjust your itinerary as you want.
And by the way, Timna Park offers 20 well-marked trails for all ages and abilities, rappelling, zip lines, or climbing activities if you want to spend your time there more actively.
Lastly, unlike vast places such as Makhtesh Ramon, it's super easy to plan your day in Timna Park.
Visitors Center
The first steps led us to the Visitors Center, where we bought the tickets and received some basic information about Timna Park.
We bought the tickets at the counter, and the lady working there briefed us that a ranger would tell us more about this place.
As she said, one of the rangers introduced us to the area, recommended to us what to see and do in the park in the time we had.
There's a small seating area at the right corner called Ranger Station, so don't forget to get some information about the park's trails and activities.
Museum
If you're more curious about the park and geology, there is a small museum in the building where you can learn more about copper production or archaeological findings.
We recommend reading a bit more about the park when arriving without a guide to appreciate some of the historical sites a bit more.
You can also see a short movie about the park's mining history and geology while there.
While it's not mandatory to see the exhibits, it allows you to understand better the story of Egyptian copper mines and the miner's life and hardships.
Spiral Hill
Once past the entrance gate, we entered the world of history and geology. Our first stop in Timna Park was Spiral Hill.
It's also one of the places where you can either admire the rock formation from a distance or get out of the car and explore it on foot.
Hoodoos
We continued driving deeper in the park and then turned right onto sideroad to the Mushroom Rock and Arches.
Before we reached either of these sites, there was another quick stop on the right side.
You can walk closer towards the hoodoo you see from the dusty parking lot or just admire it from a viewpoint.
The erosion is not as prevalent on this rock as on the Mushroom Rock, so it would be best to come back in several thousand years to see the progress.
Mushroom Rock
If you're a fan of natural attractions with funny names, then you'll find here a Mushroom Rock at the next stop.
As the name suggests, this rock formation has a shape of a giant mushroom, and it's one of the most exciting places in the entire park.
A short trail took us to a giant monolithic red sandstone rock, which is one of those mother earth creations that left us in awe.
If you're wondering how this hoodoo took its shape over millennia, then know that the lower part erodes faster than the heavy cap that covers it.
We loved the hoodoos we visited near Drumheller a few years back, and this one was beautiful as well.
While you're there, don't forget to see three additional sites near the Mushroom Rock that the local miners used for copper production and smelting.
Unfortunately, there is not much left to see, but it takes nothing away from its importance.
Chariots Rock Drawings
Once back on the road, we continued to the Chariots Drawings first, but you can leave it for later and visit Arches instead.
The order in which you visit the sites in Timna Park is not important, and it's good to know that you can always come back if you want to.
For example, it's better to see the Arches when the light is soft, while the drawings are about the same any time of the day.
The Chariot Drawings has two places where you can see them.
The first one can be found on an exposed rock, and it was not that easy to spot the drawings when the sun was still at its full strength.
Therefore, we liked the narrow gorge with illustrations a bit better, as we could clearly see them. Plus, we could hide in the shade created by the vertical rocks for a short time.
We'll also skip the discussion about the authenticity of the drawings in Timna Park and leave it to someone more erudite.
From Chariots Drawings, return back to the last T-junction and turn right one more time.
The Arches
Do you love arches? Who doesn't when they are so photogenic? Timna Park has quite a few, but most are tiny.
However, one of them is not like the others, and a lovely trail with some metal steps will take you through it.
The erosion created these natural windows in the former cliff over millions of years.
The path that leads around the arches is worth hiking, but be prepared for more metal steps and even a ladder along the trail.
However, if you've already been to Red Canyon or Ein Avdat National Park, then you know what to expect.
From this trail, you can also reach the ancient copper mines.
Mines
Our next steps led us to the copper mines, one of the biggest attractions in the park.
Timna has some of the most ancient copper mines in the world, so it would be a shame not to explore them more closely.
There were thousands of mineshafts in Timna, and you can still see some of them today.
We loved the mining cave that will take you via a black trail through a narrow climb on a small plateau from where breathtaking views of the Timna Valley open up.
Later on, you can also enter one of the shafts called Open Mine, so your mining experience will be complete.
It's believed that the melting furnaces date back to the King Solomon era in the 10th century BCE, which was proved by recent findings.
And why was it necessary to solve the mystery? Because this date sets the mining activities in the era of the Kingdom of Israel.
What's so exciting about the history and new findings is how they can change our perception of the given place or time.
At first, archaeologists believed that the miners at Timna Valley were slaves.
But they found some more expensive dyed fabrics at the site and date pits and goat bones, pointing towards the idea that the workers were actually employed while having a rich diet.
Solomon Pillars
Named after King Solomon, these impressive pillars were our penultimate stop that day.
As the sun was slowly disappearing behind some clouds, we pulled over at the big parking lot and started walking towards this natural gem.
Once you arrive at the base of the pillars, you can also take a path that takes you through the rocks and which is relatively short and worth hiking.
Temple of the Goddes Hathor
At the end of the trail at Solomon Pillars, you will find the foundations of the Temple of the Goddes Hathor.
The temple's foundation dates back to 1300 BCE when the Egyptians lived in this area.
On the platform above the temple is another ancient drawing depicting Ramses III making an offering to the Hathor goddess.
Timna Lake
The last stop on our itinerary was the artificial but charming Timna Lake.
It's also the furthest place that you can drive to in the park, but before you reach it, don't forget to enjoy the views of the Sphinx rock formation on your right.
Timna Lake and the surrounding area look like a beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert.
Therefore, it was hard to understand why someone would come up with the idea to put those hideous pink swan paddle boats there.
But that's just a small fly in the ointment. Timna Lake area is also a place where you can stay overnight.
Is Timna Park Safe to Visit?
Yes, Timna Park 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!
Hiking Trails
Hands down, hiking is one of the best ways to explore Timna Park.
Unfortunately, not all of us have enough time to spend a day or two in the park, so you need to plan your hiking activities carefully.
If you're not sure which track to choose, ask at the visitor center.
Be prepared that even though the trails are not that challenging, the extreme weather conditions make them harder than they appear on the map at the visitor center.
Some of the popular hikes in Timna Park are Pink Canyon Trail, Mount Timna Trail, and Bird's Eye Trail.
Biking
An exciting alternative to hiking can be biking for some active travelers. You can even find single-track trails in Timna, so you don't need to ride on the main road all the time.
Currently, you will find 54 kilometers of mountain biking trails in Timna Park.
Half-day bike rental costs about 60 NIS for a regular bike and 80 NIS for an e-bike.
Rock Climbing
Timna Park currently boasts 85 climbing routes, so if you're a fan of this activity, this is the place to go.
How to Get Around
As mentioned above, you have three options to get around Timna Park.
Hiking in Timna Park is a great way to see the best places this park has to offer without crowds but requires a lot of time and effort.
Driving will significantly cut travel times, but easy hiking is also necessary to fully explore the attractions.
For most travelers, the combination of driving and hiking will make the most sense.
We can't fail to mention that you can rent a bike in Timna Park, which might also be an exciting way to explore this place.
How to Get to Timna Park
Timna Park entrance is 30 kilometers north of Eilat, and you can quickly get there by car.
We believe that you can visit Timna Park without a tour, but we'll round up all options you have.
Driving in Israel is relatively easy, and we believe that's the best way to get around the country if you're a traveler coming from overseas.
Car
Leave Eilat via the north exit and stay for 27 kilometers on Highway 90. Then turn left and continue for about three kilometers to the main entrance.
When arriving from Eilat, don't turn left when you see the green Timna sign, but wait for the Elifaz Junction and the typical brown sign with Timna Park on it.
As soon as you turn left, you should see a group of Egyptian human statues on both sides of the road that indicate the entrance is super-close.
Both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are about 300 kilometers north of Timna Park, and it takes at least four hours to get there.
Here, you can search the best rental car deals in Eilat.
Bus
Budget travelers should know that you can get to Timna Park from Eilat by bus. However, there's a catch when getting to the park by public transport.
The bus stop is on Highway 90 at Elifaz Junction, which means you would need to walk 3 kilometers from there to reach the park's entrance.
It also means that you need to walk those three kilometers back to the main road when you're done with your explorations.
It's not that it's not doable; it's just not very convenient and time-efficient.
Unless you're a strong hiker, renting a bike at the entrance would also make sense to speed up the travel times between the park's natural sights.
Take a bus 991 from Eilat or bus 390, 394, or 397 from Be'er Sheva.
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Taxi
While you can take a taxi from Eilat to Timna Park, it's not the most popular way to get there. It's expensive, and you would still need to get back somehow.
Either call for a taxi from the park or pre-arrange a pick-up for a specific time.
It would make more sense to hire a driver for the (half) day who would take you to all Timna's best attractions and wait for you while you explore them.
However, it probably makes more sense just to take one of the Timna Park tours instead.
Tours
While it's easy to navigate around the park without the need for a guide, you might still prefer to go with a guided tour. There are plenty of reasons to choose the tour.
You might not want to rent a car, go alone, or you might prefer learning more about the place from a knowledgeable guide.
In this case, you can reserve your Timna Park Tour here.
Opening Hours
Timna Park is open from 8 AM to 4 PM every day, and it's important to know that you should not be hiking in the desert after dark.
So plan your arrival time accordingly to have enough time for all activities you planned.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Timna Park is 49 NIS per adult.
That's quite expensive when compared to some other popular national parks in Israel, such as Masada or Beit Shearim.
But here's the thing. Timna Park is not part of the national park network, so your Israel Pass is not valid here.
In fact, Timna Park is a private park run by the Jewish National Fund, and things work here a bit differently.
The upside of the steep ticket price is that it's valid for three days.
That is a great thing for some visitors, as you can return the next day if you didn't have enough time to see it all or if you want to do some longer hike.
While the steep entrance fee is not great for people visiting Israel on a budget, the park is worth every penny.
Parking
Parking is free in Timna Park. There is the main parking lot at the visitors center where you can leave your car if you want to go hiking.
Furthermore, every main attraction in the park has its own free parking lot, so you don't worry about that.
How Much Time Do You Need for Timna Park
In general, you'll need at least a half-day for Timna Park. Obviously, more is better, but not everyone can afford to spend a day or two there.
Our only regret is that we couldn't afford to spend more time in Timna Park.
While we saw pretty much all of its top attractions, it would be great if we could plan a regular day hike there or have enough time to stay overnight.
Nevertheless, you can easily spend a half-day here if you opt for hiking and driving around the park combo.
If you plan some serious hiking, then you should allow yourself at least a whole day for Timna Park, as the area is pretty huge.
As mentioned above, the ticket is valid for three days, which gives you plenty of opportunities to revisit the park if you want to.
Where to Stay
Eilat is a gateway to Timna Park, and it's your best bet to find hotels in this area. It's not the only place where you can find accommodation, but most travelers will stay there.
Eilat offers accommodation for every type of traveler and every budget, but it's better to reserve your room in advance during the peak season to avoid paying more for less.
For those who want to spend a night in Timna Park, there is accommodation at Timna Lake. It's nothing luxurious, as you would expect, but the location in the desert is hard to beat.
So, here are some tips on accommodation in Eilat and Timna Park.
Park Timna | Park Timna - Located at the Timna Lake, Park Timna offers accommodation in tents, studios, or caravans. All units are air-conditioned, and some of them even have a fully-equipped kitchen. Free parking is available on site.
Eilat | HI Eilat Hostel - One of the best hostels in Eilat, HI - Eilat Hostel offers affordable accommodation to budget travelers. Basic but clean rooms, great breakfast, and free (limited) parking is everything you'll need. Moreover, the hostel has an excellent location close to the beach, shopping center, and many restaurants.
Eilat | The Reef Eilat Hotel- If you want to stay away from the busy streets of Eilat, The Reef Eilat Hotel might be a perfect choice for you. This hotel is located about a 5-minute walk from the famous Coral Beach (and about six kilometers south of the city), and the clean, modern rooms offer stunning views over the bay.
Camping
Camping is allowed in Timna Park in the designated campgrounds. So if you want to experience the desert more intimately, you can find a campground near Timna Lake.
The campground has hot water showers, toilets, electricity, drinking water fountains.
Travelers looking for a bit more luxurious experience can find it in Villa Camp, where they have well-equipped two-bedroom tents.
When to Go
Timna Park lies in the Negev Desert, and you can expect hot summers and dry weather conditions.
We arrived in Timna Park just before one of the mid-November's noon, which was not the wisest decision we made that day.
However, you can't always choose to arrive at someplace at the perfect time, so we embraced our situation and filled up our almost empty water bottles.
We could feel that the sun was still pretty strong even in the middle of the autumn, and we didn't want to imagine how the weather must be like in Timna during the summer.
However, if you're staying in Eilat and can choose your arrival time, we recommend you go as early as possible.
Arriving around the time the park opens is one of the best decisions you can make. Plus, you can save your water activities in Eilat for the afternoon.
Moreover, you'll have an entire day for Timna Park, which is a massive plus as you don't need to rush things.
Winter in Eilat and Timna Park brings mild temperatures of 15-20 Celsius on average, and for some travelers, this might be the best time of the year to arrive.
It barely rains in Timna Park, and the area receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
Here you will find more information on the best time to visit Israel.
What to Pack
Be prepared to spend a lot of time in Timna Park walking in direct sun. Logically, you should bring plenty of water with you.
How much water depends on your activities and time of the year. You will drink much more when hiking on a hot summer day than when mostly driving around in a car in winter.
One of the best solutions is to bring a daypack with a hydration bladder.
Also, bring some sort of head cover to protect yourself from the strong sunlight. It goes without saying that you should use strong sunscreen with high SPF.
In fact, when hiking for an extended time, you might consider wearing some lightweight, loose and breathable t-shirts with long sleeves or hiking pants.
Walking in the desert is fun if you bring proper footwear. Leave your flip-flops or sandals in your hotel room, and wear at least runners or trail runners.
You probably won't need here heavy hiking boots, as you might want to bring shoes made from breathable materials unless you want to boil your feet.
Is Timna Park Worth Visiting?
If you've made it to the end of our article, it's pretty obvious that we loved Timna Park and would definitely recommend you to visit this stunning place.
If you're spending a few nights in Eilat, then a trip to this place is a no-brainer unless you really don't like nature or the desert.
But in this case, you wouldn't be reading this post, right?
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.
