Dimona: Park Forest, Trails and History

On the northern edge of Dimona lies Ben-Gurion Park: a planted forest, an expansive parkland and a place of remembrance. The forest was established in the 1960s as a recreational area for Dimona’s residents, close to where they lived. Mature Jerusalem pines, olive trees and carob trees from the original plantings still grow in the forest. The park thus links a specific urban history with a landscape that continues to shape the area today.

Forest, Park and Remembrance

The main part of the park extends across northern Dimona, covering about 370 dunams in a strip around 1.7 kilometres long. Its area and length offer different indications of its scale: the park is expansive and also elongated. It commemorates Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, and his wife, Paula. Green space and remembrance are thus part of the same excursion destination.

The facilities include parking areas, cycling trails, children’s play equipment, a lake and a science garden. The cycling trails add an active element; the play equipment, lake and science garden offer different points of interest from the forest. For families, the play equipment is a practical consideration when planning the day. This makes it possible to tailor a visit to the park to different interests.

A Circular Trail on the Edge of Town

An approximately four-kilometre circular trail starts on the edge of Dimona and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the city, descends into Nahal Dimona and runs along a rocky cliff. Unlike the park’s elongated section, the trail is described as a loop: the starting point, viewpoint and route shape the walk. Check current access and conditions before setting out.

Market and Shared Cooking

Another facet of Dimona can be found at the open-air market run by the Village of Peace community. It takes place every Friday and offers plant-based produce, handicrafts and music. Its Friday schedule makes it easy to plan a visit around the market; check current arrangements with the organisers.

Visitors can also prepare Village of Peace dishes together with the community’s cooks, using ingredients grown communally, and then share the meal. Unlike the market, this activity centres on preparing a meal together. These are two different ways to learn about the community’s offerings.

Nabataean History at Mamshit

Nearby Mamshit National Park preserves the remains of a Nabataean city from the Roman and Byzantine periods, and Nabataean architecture can also be seen there. A marked trail leads from the entrance down to Nahal Mamshit. Three dams built by the inhabitants of ancient Mamshit are clearly visible there.

Mamshit offers a contrast to Ben-Gurion Park: in Dimona, the focus is on the forest established in the 1960s; at Mamshit, it is on the history of a Nabataean city and the buildings left by its inhabitants. These different highlights can help you plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most.

Discover More Destinations

Beersheba, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Eilat, Sde Boker, Mashabei Sadeh, Revivim, Merhav Am

For the overview of the wider region: Southern District.