After entering the nature reserve, park in the parking lot on the left for the visitor center. From here you can arrange to see two excellent movies in a new nearby building. The first movie is in Hebrew with English subtitles and is about the biological aspects of the Dead Sea and its environs and is narrated by scientists. The Dead Sea is not dead and there are microorganisms in the depths of the water that were investigated by a submarine. Because of the rapidly falling level of the Dead Sea, the environment around the lake is changing rapidly, including the springs and pools. The second movie is about animal life in this area, particularly at night. This movie is in English with English subtitles.

 

At this point, you may wish to see the archeological findings behind the new building.  It is the remains of a rural villa from the beginning of a 1st century CE Roman period. It was used only for a short while and then destroyed during the Great Revolt. It was reoccupied after this, but destroyed again after the Bar Kochba Revolt. There is an industrial complex here but it is unclear what it was used for. The signs suggest for balsam production, but this is speculation.

 

The Palm (Tamar) Pool is the only pool suitable for adult swimming and has a deep and shallower section. A chair device is available for lowering the disabled into the water. It is only open Friday and Saturday from March to November ‑ from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on Saturday. Otherwise during the winter from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. on Friday and 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Saturday. It is open every day of the week during July and August, except for Wednesday when it closed for cleaning. There are shaded picnic benches close to the pool. Restrooms and changing facilities are close by. There is also a nearby shallow pool for children.

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If you come with children you may wish to use the shallow pools closer to the Dead Sea. They are a significant walk from the visitor center, so continue driving along the central road until you come to the far parking area. There are two shallow pools here, one of which is partially shaded. There are plenty of shaded picnic benches. There may be a food caravan for drinks and snacks. There is a nearby changing area with restrooms.

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Consider a nature walk on the paths. You can take a photo of the map in the visitor center. There is no brochure, although there is a QR code for information. From the visitor center, head south on the adjacent path until you come to a wire fence.  Turn left and continue by the fence until you come to the end. From here there is a path on the left that goes through reeds to the children’s pools.

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There may be free tours of the Hidden Reserve in Hebrew from June to September on Fridays (10.00 AM and noon) and Saturdays (10.00 AM, noon and 2.00 PM) that last about 1 hour. The area covered is an extensive part of the reserve that is otherwise closed to the public. A tour with no additional charge is also available in English on Fridays and Saturdays, but needs to be arranged in advance, as it will only take place if there is sufficient demand. Their phone number is (02) 994-2355.