Nafud Qanifadhah* نفود قنيفذه
Nafud (sand desert) in Riyadh Region · 45 km west of Al-Muzahmiya المزاحمية
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 قنيفذه
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 Qanifadhah usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002
When does Nafud Qanifadhah usually green?
From satellite imagery since 2002Greened in 6 of the last 24 years (November to April).
- Latest season it greened: November 2018 – April 2019 (Safar – Sha'ban 1440 AH), 3 of 6 months.
Seasons it greened
| Season | Months it greened |
|---|---|
| November 2003 – April 2004 (Ramadan 1424 – Rabi' al-Awwal 1425 AH) | 1 of 6 |
| November 2006 – April 2007 (Shawwal 1427 – Rabi' al-Akhir 1428 AH) | 1 of 6 |
| November 2013 – April 2014 (Dhu al-Hijjah 1434 – Rajab 1435 AH) | 1 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) | 3 of 6 |
How we calculated it
In October alone: greened in 0 of 24 years since 2002.
The maps have 7 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: Al-Jafurah* الجافورة, 8 km; then Al-Sihad* الصيهد (9 km), Al-Masha'alah* المشاعلة (11 km).
- Nearest camping site in the Center’s guide: Rawdat al-Ahur* روضة الأحور (Marat* governorate مرات), 41 km north.
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-Anadih* نفود العناديه 6 km south
- Rawdat Samahan* روضة سمحان 19 km northeast
- Wadi Buzah* وادي بوظة 23 km northeast
- Rawdat al-Dakhaliah* روضة الداخلية 37 km north
- Rawdat al-Khararah* روضة الخرارة 46 km southeast
- Rawdat al-Mahaliah* روضة المحلية 55 km east
All destinations · Spring in Riyadh Region now · The «Where is the spring?» map