Yarkon national park National Park

Address: Yarkon National Park (Park area along the Yarkon River), near Tel Aviv, Israel

Website: https://parks.org.il/en/reserve-park/yarkon-park/

Hours: Daily dawn-dusk

Admission: Entrance free; certain facilities (museums, boat rides) within park may charge small fees

Yarkon National Park is a protected area along the Yarkon River in central Israel that includes river, wetlands and archaeological sites associated with the Yarkon corridor.

The area around the Yarkon has been occupied repeatedly through antiquity; the park brings together natural river landscapes with archaeological remains from Roman and later periods. Management has focused on combining conservation of habitat with protection and presentation of the historic sites.

The park sits in Israel’s coastal plain and inland river valley northeast of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, accessible from nearby towns and regional roads.

• Combined nature and history: The park encompasses riverine habitat and archaeological remains, so visitors commonly combine nature walks with visits to historic ruins.

What to See#

• Tel Afek (Antipatris): Tel Afek/Antipatris archaeological complex containing ruins and waterworks from Roman and later periods, located near the Yarkon spring and riverbed.
• River corridor and wetlands: Lower Yarkon river corridor and estuarine wetlands that include reed beds and river channels used for walking and birdwatching.

From central Tel Aviv take bus lines that run along Ayalon or head to the Tel Aviv University area and walk east toward the river; several park entrances are near major roads. Biking along the park’s paved paths from the city center is straightforward and common. For exact access points, consult Park Authority maps.

• Visit early morning to see migratory and local waterfowl along the Yarkon.
• Avoid weekend afternoons for picnics if seeking quieter walking paths; local families use the park heavily then.
• Rent a bike at the park perimeter to cover the long promenade areas quickly.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen - the open lawns offer little shade in some stretches.