About 80,000 Visit Israel’s Nature Reserves and National Parks on Saturday

About 80,000 people visited nature reserves and national parks across Israel on Saturday, November 14, according to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Among the leading destinations were the Tel Afek complex in Yarkon National Park, Caesarea, Tel Ashkelon and Ein Hemed, alongside the Ein Afek and Ein Gedi nature reserves. The authority also reported that approximately 2,500 people stayed at its overnight campsites over the weekend. Mamshit, Khan Be’erot in Makhtesh Ramon and Masada West were among the leading destinations for overnight stays. Tel Ashkelon, one of Saturday’s popular destinations, combines archaeological remains with a coastal landscape. The authority’s park description identifies a Middle Canaanite-period city enclosed by a massive earth rampart, with an ancient gate incorporating a constructed arch. The park’s southern section preserves the plants and wildlife of the coastal dunes. A modern theater with 8,000 seats occupies part of the rampart’s southeastern slope. On October 31, the authority reported about 120,000 visitors to reserves and national parks and approximately 4,300 overnight campers. Tel Ashkelon, Tel Afek, Caesarea, Ein Afek and Ein Hemed were also among the leading destinations on that Saturday.