Qasr el Yahud National Park
Qasr el Yahud has significance to Christians and Jews. It is also one of the few places where Israelis can see the Jordan River close up. But don’t be too disappointed! Before the age of modern agriculture, the Jordan River, fed by rain and melted snow from Mt. Hermon, would have been at least half a mile wide in the spring. All you see today is a muddy-looking narrow stream. In the 1930’s, a dam was built next to Kibbutz Degania at the southern edge of Lake Kinneret. Also, Jordan and Israel began diverting water from the river, primarily for agricultural use. This led to a 98% decrease in water flow. 
The two Israel travel books that everyone was waiting for!
Bestseller! "In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools" and new! "The North of Israel for Everyone. The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites" by Arnold Slyper — with essays, directions, maps, and much more.
For courier service from Pomeranz Booksellers in Jerusalem (tel: 02-623 5559) click here and here. For Amazon click here and here. For details about the books and their outstanding reviews click here and here.
​Directions: Enter “Qasr el Yahud” into Waze. Shortly after leaving the intersection with Route 1, you will see the turn off from Route 90 to Qasr el Yahud on the right. The building on your right is the fortified monastery of St. John. You can also see ruins of Churches from the 5th and 6th century CE. Continue until you come to the free parking lot. 
Admission: This is a park of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Summer hours for Sunday to Thursday and Saturday are 8 am–4 pm and Friday and eve of holidays 8 am–3 pm. Winter hours Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 8 am-3 pm, Friday and holiday eves 8 am–2 pm. Last admission is one hour before the site closes. There is no admission charge as this is a holy site. There is a gift shop. White robes can be purchased. There are changing rooms and showers for males and females. Their phone number is: (02) 650-4844. This is their website:
Public transport: There is no close public transport.

Baptismal area in the Jordan River
JOSHUA AND JESUS AT THE RIVER JORDAN
​
In this area opposite Jericho, the Children of Israel crossed the River Jordan into the land of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. They arrived at about the time of Passover when the River Jordan was at its fullest - "And the Jordan is full on its banks all the days of the harvest" (Joshua 3:15).
​
The Jordan River has two terraces and both can be easily identified. The upper terrace is known as "Kikar Hayarden" (the Plain of the Jordan) and the lower one, which is where the River Jordan meanders today, is called "Gaon Hayarden.” Because of its heat and humidity, the lower terrace was once full of dense vegetation and wild animals. The Israelites crossed the River Jordan in the spring, when it had probably overflowed onto the upper terrace.

As when the Israelites left Sinai, the Ark of the Covenant was carried before the people (Numbers 10:33). As soon as the priests, who were in front and carrying the ark, stepped into the River Jordan, the river ceased flowing: "Upon the arrival of the bearers of the Ark and the feet of the priests, bearers of the Ark, were immersed in the edge of the water... the waters descending from upstream stood, they rose up in one column, far from the city of Adam which is near Tzarsan; and those descending to the sea of the plain, the Dead Sea, ceased flowing, they were cut off, and the people crossed opposite Jericho" (Joshua 3:15-16).
Even in modern times, the Jordan has become blocked a number of times by mudslides or earthquakes. Nevertheless, the Bible points out that what happened was far from being fortuitous: "It was when the priests, bearers of the Ark of God, ascended from the Jordan and the soles of the priests' feet were uprooted to the shore, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and stretched to all its banks as before" (Joshua 4:18).
​
Adam is in the location of the present-day Adam Bridge, a distance of just over 40 km from Jericho. There is a Tel close to where the bridge is now, and this is probably the site of the ancient city of Adam. The Israelites now had a large length of dry river bed on which they could cross and the camp "hastened and crossed.”
​
The principal Christian association with this site is the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The three Synoptic Gospels describe the event: Matthew 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–11 and Luke 3:21–22. John had been preaching repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River. Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by him. According to the Gospel accounts, three extraordinary things happened: The heavens opened. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove.A voice from heaven declared: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
This event is particularly important in Christian theology because it represents the public revelation of Jesus' identity and the beginning of his public ministry. It is also important for the doctrine of the Trinity, in that all aspects of the Trinity are manifested simultaneously — the Father speaks from heaven, the son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove.. For this reason, the Eastern Orthodox Church calls the feast commemorating Jesus' baptism Theophany (Epiphany), meaning the manifestation of God. The baptism of Jesus became the model for Christian baptism, being one of the two principal sacraments recognized by virtually all Christian denominations (the other being the Eucharist). Baptism represents several things: spiritual rebirth and entry into the Christian community, participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the beginning of a new life as a Christian.
​
For nearly 1,700 years, Christians have travelled here to commemorate the baptism, and is a religious tradition that has continued from the Byzantine period to the present. Baptism at this site may accomplish a number of things: Original baptism — some pilgrims are baptized here, particularly those who have not previously been baptized. Renewal of baptismal vows — already-baptized Christians may renew their commitment to Jesus and recall their baptism. Spiritual purification and repentance — pilgrims may regard immersion or contact with the Jordan's water as a symbolic act of spiritual renewal and repentance. This does not necessarily constitute sacramental forgiveness of sins.