Nafud al-Shaqiqah* نفود الشقيقه
Nafud (sand desert) in Qassim Region · 55 km south of Onaizah عنيزة
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: Moderate (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 الشقيقه
Watch the place turn green
16 September 2017 – 17 March 2026 · 25 Dhu al-Hijjah 1438 – 28 Ramadan 1447 AH
About 10×10 km around the place (ring in the centre), each season: September, then March.
Satellite imagery, not on-the-ground photography.
When does Nafud al-Shaqiqah usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002
When does Nafud al-Shaqiqah usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002Greened in 4 of the last 24 years (November to April).
- Latest season it greened: November 2025 – April 2026 (Jumada al-Ula – Dhu al-Qa'dah 1447 AH), 1 of 6 months.
- Its greenest season: November 2018 – April 2019 (Safar – Sha'ban 1440 AH), 3 of 6 months.
Seasons it greened
| Season | Months it greened |
|---|---|
| November 2013 – April 2014 (Dhu al-Hijjah 1434 – Rajab 1435 AH) | 1 of 6 |
| November 2018 – April 2019 (Safar – Sha'ban 1440 AH) | 3 of 6 |
| November 2024 – April 2025 (Rabi' al-Akhir – Dhu al-Qa'dah 1446 AH) | 1 of 6 |
| November 2025 – April 2026 (Jumada al-Ula – Dhu al-Qa'dah 1447 AH) | 1 of 6 |
How we calculated it
In October alone: greened in 0 of 24 years since 2002.
The maps have 4 nearby points with this name; none has spring around it now. Figures here are for the point drawn.
Access and the rules of the place
- Nearest village: Rawdat al-Shaqiqah* روضة الشقيقة, 5 km; then Al-Kharama al-Janubiah* الخرماء الجنوبية (8 km), Al-Kharama al-Shamaliah* الخرماء الشمالية (9 km).
- Nearest camping site in the Center’s guide: Mutanazzah al-Mana'iah al-Watani* متنزه المانعية الوطني (Al-Madhanab* governorate المذنب), 38 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 al-Ghamis* نفود الغميس 31 km northwest
- Nafud Ramah* نفود رامة 47 km northwest
- Rawdat Umm Shabaram (near Umm Hazam*, Riyadh)* روضة ام شبرم (قرب ام حزم، الرياض) 60 km northeast
- Nafud al-Sar (Qassim)* نفود السر (القصيم) 64 km north
- Nafud al-Asayaf* نفود الأسياف 66 km northwest
- Nafud al-Samasi* نفود السمسي 67 km northwest
All destinations · Spring in Qassim Region now · The «Where is the spring?» map