Nafud al-Hamal* نفود الهمل
Nafud (sand desert) in the Eastern Province · 127 km north of Al-Zulfi الزلفي
No visible spring around it now
Latest image: 9–16 October 2026 · 28 Rabi' al-Akhir – 5 Jumada al-Ula 1448 AH, updated nightly.
Night sky there: Very dark (estimate, from night lights) · Darkest nights ahead, around the new moon: 7–11 November 2026 · 27 Jumada al-Ula – 1 Jumada al-Akhirah 1448 AH · Where to see the stars?
Open it on the mapNearest road to it in Google Maps
Original Arabic page: نفود الهمل
Watch the place turn green
16 September 2017 – 13 February 2026 · 25 Dhu al-Hijjah 1438 – 25 Sha'ban 1447 AH
About 10×10 km around the place (ring in the centre), each season: September, then February.
Satellite imagery, not on-the-ground photography.
When does Nafud al-Hamal usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002
When does Nafud al-Hamal usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002Greened in 3 of the last 24 years (November to April).
- Latest season it greened: November 2024 – April 2025 (Rabi' al-Akhir – Dhu al-Qa'dah 1446 AH), 3 of 6 months.
Seasons it greened
| Season | Months it greened |
|---|---|
| November 2005 – April 2006 (Ramadan 1426 – Rabi' al-Akhir 1427 AH) | 1 of 6 |
| November 2023 – April 2024 (Rabi' al-Akhir – Shawwal 1445 AH) | 2 of 6 |
| November 2024 – April 2025 (Rabi' al-Akhir – Dhu al-Qa'dah 1446 AH) | 3 of 6 |
Access and the rules of the place
- Nearest village: Mashadhubah* مشذوبة, 24 km; then Umm Ashar* ام عشر (44 km), Umm al-Jamajam* ام الجماجم (54 km).
Before you go: cars, reserves and camping
- Do not drive into a rawdah or faydah (meadow); leave your car on the road and walk, and keep away from wadi beds.
- Camping in reserves and vegetation-cover land requires a permit; violations are fined. Rules and fines
Nearby destinations
Direct distance
Nearby destinations
Direct distance- Khabra Umm Sihad* خبراء ام صيهد 34 km north
- Khabra Maghatiah* خبراء مغطية 38 km north
- Rawdat Umm Ashar (Eastern Province)* روضة ام عشر (الشرقية) 47 km northwest
- Rawdat Aba al-Dayan* روضة ابا الضيان 51 km northeast
- Faydat al-Saba* فيضة السبع 54 km north
- Faydat Zalama* فيضة ظلماء 57 km north
All destinations · Spring in the Eastern Province now · The «Where is the spring?» map