Use this page for verified travel updates that may affect a visit to the Dead Sea in Israel or Jordan. We cover material safety and access notices, border and transport changes, beach or attraction closures, major events, and relevant hotel or destination news.
Current traveler updates
Last reviewed:
Updates appear here only after the information has been checked against accountable current sources and approved for publication. For an urgent travel decision, also check the responsible government authority, border operator, park or reserve authority, hotel, or transport provider directly.
Before you travel: Travel conditions can change quickly. Before setting out, check current local news and the latest official government, emergency, border, road, weather, and destination alerts for every place on your itinerary.
Active travel alerts
Lower Nahal Og trail closed due to pollution
Israel Nature and Parks Authority says the Lower Nahal Og blue trail 8119 is closed because of pollution. Do not enter the closed route. Check the current INPA newsflash again before travel because no reopening date has been announced.
Last verified: . Revalidate daily until INPA explicitly announces reopening.
U.S. reissues Level 3 Israel travel advisory
The U.S. State Department reissued its Israel advisory on 26 August 2026. The level remains Level 3: Reconsider Travel for Israel, with specified areas at Level 4. The update adds a health risk indicator for Gaza and states that family members may join U.S. government employees working in Israel. U.S. travelers should read the current geographic restrictions and embassy alerts before travel.
Last verified: . Advisory reissued: . Revalidate daily.
U.S. advisory: Level 3, Reconsider Travel to Jordan
On 12 August 2026, the U.S. State Department’s current Jordan advisory remained Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing terrorism and armed conflict. The advisory applies to U.S. travelers nationwide. The Jordanian Dead Sea is not among the areas specifically listed at Level 4, but travelers should read the full advisory, monitor local news and official alerts, and make their own travel decision.
Last verified: . Advisory issued: .
UK withdraws specific Aqaba airport and seaport travel restriction
On 25 August, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office withdrew its advice against all but essential travel to Aqaba International Airport and Aqaba seaport after reviewing the security situation. FCDO still advises against all travel within 3 km of Jordan’s border with Syria and warns that regional tensions may disrupt flights or airspace. British travelers should read the current geographic advice and check their airline or operator before travel.
Last verified: . Official advice updated: . Scheduled display end: .
Special Tishrei holiday hours at Israel-Jordan crossings
Israel Airports Authority has published special 2026 Tishrei holiday hours for the Jordan River, Yitzhak Rabin and Allenby crossings. Passenger terminals have reduced hours or closures around Rosh Hashanah from 11 September, Yom Kippur on 20 and 21 September, and Sukkot from 25 September. Check the exact crossing and arrive within its stated acceptance window because some terminals stop accepting passengers before closing.
Last verified: . Scheduled display end: .
Read the official Tishrei holiday schedule | Jordan River crossing | Yitzhak Rabin crossing | Allenby crossing
En Gedi Nature Reserve open with restricted access
Israel Nature and Parks Authority currently lists En Gedi Nature Reserve as open with restricted access after flood damage. Nahal David is limited to the short accessible route to the first waterfall. Nahal Arugot is open as a challenging route, with entry permitted until three hours before closing, and Ein Gedi Antiquities is open. Tzafit, Gav Halon and the desert ascent routes are currently closed because of heat. Reserve the correct visitor area separately and check the official reserve page or call the INPA information center at *3639 before travel because access can change.
Last verified: . Revalidate before travel.
Israel: outdoor-fire restrictions through 31 August
Israel Fire and Rescue Services restricts fires in open areas nationwide through 31 August 2026. Campers and day visitors should use barbecues only in places designated and authorized by the responsible local authority, and follow instructions posted at the specific beach, campsite, park or reserve.
Last verified: . Effective through: .
Read the official order in Hebrew | Read the official order in Arabic
Upcoming events
Einot Tzukim night bat tour, 27 August
Israel Nature and Parks Authority lists a family night bat tour at Einot Tzukim Nature Reserve on 27 August from 19:30 to 22:00. The paid activity requires registration. Visitors should wear closed shoes, bring a small flashlight and check the organizer again for weather or Home Front Command changes before leaving.
Last verified: . Scheduled display end: .
Masada Challenge sessions, 28 August
Israel Nature and Parks Authority lists Masada Challenge sessions on 28 August at 06:30, 07:30 and 08:30. The activity is prepaid and advance booking is required; participants cannot arrive without a paid reservation. It is for fit hikers age 10 and over, closed shoes are required, and late entry over 15 minutes is not allowed.
Last verified: . Scheduled display end: .
Early Masada cable-car access, 28 August
Israel Nature and Parks Authority lists early Masada cable-car access on 28 August at 05:30, 06:30 and 07:30. The event is reached from Masada East on Road 90, not from the western campground, and participation is paid in advance. Check the official page again before departure.
Last verified: . Scheduled display end: .
Tamar Festival 2026, 28 September to 2 October
Tamar Festival 2026 is scheduled across the Dead Sea and Tamar region from 28 September through 2 October. Check the official festival site for the latest program, then open the individual performance page for its venue, time, tickets, and access instructions.
Last verified: . Scheduled display end: .
See the official regional festival page | See the official Tamar Festival program
Dead Sea tracker
Latest official level: -441.160 m
Israel’s official monthly dataset records a Dead Sea surface level of -441.160 m on . That is 16 cm lower than 1 July 2026 and 81 cm lower than 31 July 2025. This is an Israeli official measurement of the shared Dead Sea surface, not a separate Jordanian measurement.
Dataset metadata updated: . This is not the measurement date. Review frequency: monthly.
Safety, borders and access
Material travel advisories, border-operation changes, road or site access restrictions, and official safety notices for the Israeli and Jordanian sides of the Dead Sea.
Events and visitor updates
Confirmed events, seasonal visitor information, reserve and trail status, and other time-sensitive updates that may change how travelers plan a visit.
Hotels and destination news
Verified openings, closures, renaming, major service changes, and tourism developments that are useful to Dead Sea visitors.
Prices, hours and transport
Material changes to public prices, opening hours, day passes, official transport information and access arrangements when reliable information is available.
How we verify updates
- We prefer the responsible government authority, tourism board, reserve authority, border operator, municipality, hotel, or named service provider.
- Important or safety-sensitive items receive a second-source check before publication.