Dead Sea National Parks

The Dead Sea region’s unique landscape is home to incredible national parks and nature reserves. The Masada National Park preserves King Herod’s mountaintop fortress built over 2,000 years ago. Visitors can take a cable car to the summit or hike the Snake Path. The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve encompasses valleys with lush vegetation and streams. Hike trails lead you past a Chalcolithic temple, waterfalls, and fresh springs.

Qumran National Park covers the remains of a 2nd-century BC village of the Essenes Jewish sect, and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Einot Tzukim is the lowest nature reserve in the world, with a wealth of flora and fauna, natural pools, and observation points overlooking the Dead Sea.

The Tel Arad National Park encompasses the remains of a Canaanite city and fortress.

At the Mamshit National Park, you can see the ruins of a Nabataean desert city that once stood on the incense route. Herodium Park holds the remains of a large 1st-century BC palace complex built by King Herod. On the highway connecting Jerusalem with the Dead Sea is the Good Samaritan Museum. An Ottoman-era travelers’ inn once stood here, and it was the setting for Jesus’ famous parable. The museum holds archaeological remains including Byzantine mosaics.