Nafud al-Samasi* نفود السمسي
Nafud (sand desert) in Qassim Region · 10 km northwest of Al-Badaea البدائع
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: Near lights (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 السمسي
Watch the place turn green
11 September 2017 – 12 February 2026 · 20 Dhu al-Hijjah 1438 – 24 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-Samasi usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002
When does Nafud al-Samasi usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002Greened in 2 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), 2 of 6 months.
Seasons it greened
| Season | Months it greened |
|---|---|
| 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) | 2 of 6 |
Access and the rules of the place
- Nearest village: Al-Shabibah* الشبيبة, 5 km; then Al-Khabra* الخبراء (6 km), Al-Badai al-Wasata* البدائع الوسطى (7 km).
- Nearest camping site in the Center’s guide: Mutanazzah al-Asayaf al-Watani* متنزه الأسياف الوطني (Al-Bekairiyah governorate البكيرية), 9 km northeast.
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- Nafud Masharaf* نفود مشرف 6 km northeast
- Nafud al-Asayaf* نفود الأسياف 10 km northeast
- Nafud al-Ajarab* نفود الأجرب 13 km northeast
- Nafud Ramah* نفود رامة 29 km south
- Nafud al-Ghamis* نفود الغميس 36 km southeast
- Rawdat Umm Kahif* روضة أم كهيف 50 km north
All destinations · Spring in Qassim Region now · The «Where is the spring?» map