Nafud al-Thamamah* نفود الثمامه
Nafud (sand desert) in Riyadh Region · 96 km north of Riyadh الرياض
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: 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 mapInside a protected area · a permit may be required
Original Arabic page: نفود الثمامه
Watch the place turn green
18 September 2017 – 14 February 2026 · 27 Dhu al-Hijjah 1438 – 26 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-Thamamah usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002
When does Nafud al-Thamamah usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002It sometimes greens in February; greened in 4 of the last 24 years.
- Latest season it greened: November 2018 – April 2019 (Safar – Sha'ban 1440 AH), 1 of 6 months.
- Its greenest season: November 2003 – April 2004 (Ramadan 1424 – Rabi' al-Awwal 1425 AH), 3 of 6 months.
Seasons it greened
| Season | Months it greened |
|---|---|
| November 2003 – April 2004 (Ramadan 1424 – Rabi' al-Awwal 1425 AH) | 3 of 6 |
| November 2008 – April 2009 (Dhu al-Qa'dah 1429 – Jumada al-Ula 1430 AH) | 2 of 6 |
| November 2015 – April 2016 (Muharram – Rajab 1437 AH) | 1 of 6 |
| November 2016 – April 2017 (Safar – Sha'ban 1438 AH) | 1 of 6 |
| November 2018 – April 2019 (Safar – Sha'ban 1440 AH) | 1 of 6 |
Access and the rules of the place
- Nearest village: Al-Khatalah* الخاتلة, 23 km; then Rwighab* رويغب (23 km), Daqalah* دقلة (29 km).
- Nearest camping site in the Center’s guide: Mutanazzah Thadaq al-Watani* متنزه ثادق الوطني (Thadaq* governorate ثادق), 59 km southwest.
Authority: King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority
Outings are free in most of the reserve; As-Summan and Ad-Dahna require a permit (6 a.m.–6 p.m., no overnight stays)
As-Summan and Ad-Dahna permit
Source of the conditions
Last checked: 3 October 2026 (22 Rabi' al-Akhir 1448 AH)Boundaries are approximate, from OpenStreetMap, and are not the official boundaries. Conditions may change; the authority’s website is the reference.
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- Faydat al-Khafs (south) فيضة الخفس الجنوبية 5 km northeast
- Faydat al-Khafs (north) فيضة الخفس الشمالية 11 km north
- Rawdat Nourah (Riyadh) روضة نورة (الرياض) 32 km northwest
- Rawdat al-Matu* روضة المطوع 36 km northwest
- Faydat al-Haqaqah* فيضة الحقاقة 41 km northwest
- Wadi al-Thumamah وادي الثمامة 42 km east
All destinations · Spring in Riyadh Region now · The «Where is the spring?» map