Come by and visit
(Photo: Nature and Parks Authority)
Ein Yehuda National Park in Israel's Valley of Springs is set to welcome visitors next week after being closer for nearly three years for renovation works. Entry to the area will be free until further notice. Given the religious nature of the kibbutz where the spring is located, the site will only be open on weekdays and will remain closed on Saturdays and during Jewish holidays.
Before closing down, Ein Yehuda — more commonly known as Ein HaNatsiv — was a hotspot for water spring enthusiasts. The natural turquoise pool, surrounded by reeds, poplars, and palm trees, drew hundreds of visitors daily, many of whom left the area messy and littered.
The religious kibbutz members, anticipating an increase in visitor numbers, requested that the site be managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, leading to the spring being declared a national park.
In the past three years, the authority has invested significant resources into making the spring safer and more accessible to the public, in collaboration with the Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council and Kibbutz Ein HaNatziv.
Many hikers have shared their frustration on the renovations on social media, viewing the changes as "ruining" a natural, wild spring and turning it into an "artificial pool." However, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority commented, "The site had long-standing issues with safety, maintenance, and accessibility."
In total, around $1.7 million was invested in the site, funded by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Israeli Open Spaces Conservation Fund.
Following the renovations, visitors can enjoy three different water pools in the national park: a deep swimming pool, a shallow wading pool for children, and a secluded pool featuring a small waterfall. The site also features changing rooms, restrooms, picnic tables, benches, and a visitor service center.
The new national park isn't very spacious, so it can only accommodate a limited number of visitors at a time. Entry will require advance registration through the Israel Nature and Parks Authority website.
The national park will open to visitors on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Operating hours are Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m. (until 04:00 p.m. in the winter) and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. (until 03:00 p.m. in the winter).