National park · Jordan
Dana Nature Reserveمحمية ضانا
Give Dana one night and one walk: the village-to-Feynan track (3–5 h downhill, no guide needed) or a guided canyon route; skip it as a day trip from Amman — the drive is 3 h each way.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
approximate
Established
1989
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 4
- Jordan ↗Get the visa or the Jordan Pass only on official channels; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Jordan ↗Yellow taxis must use the meter; if the driver refuses, use a ride-hailing app instead.
- Jordan ↗In Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight is not accepted; hotels and tourist restaurants serve.
- Jordan ↗Do not pack a drone: import without a prior permit is refused and the drone is held at the border.
At a glance
- Country
- Jordan
- Area
- 300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
- Often quoted as 'over 300 km²'; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1989
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Amman
Dana is Jordan's largest reserve, a 300 km² wedge of the country that falls from juniper highland at about 1,500 m to the Wadi Araba desert floor, passing through all four of Jordan's bio-geographical zones on the way. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature has managed it since 1989 and it has held UNESCO biosphere status since 1998. The Ottoman stone village of Dana sits on the cliff edge at roughly 1,400 m, cold and foggy in winter and cool even in midsummer, which is why the reserve works as a walking stop on a King's Highway drive rather than a day trip from Amman. One route, the descent from the village to Feynan Ecolodge, can be walked without a guide; everything else in the reserve needs an RSCN guide.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1998Dana Biosphere Reserve, designated under the RSCN-managed reserve.
Size and age
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²) · national park since 1989
Often quoted as 'over 300 km²'; boundary figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Amman.
Why go
- Jordan's largest reserve, dropping from 1,500 m highland villages to the Wadi Araba desert floor in one continuous walk.
- The old stone village of Dana sits on the cliff edge at about 1,400 m — cold and foggy in winter, cool even in summer.
- The village-to-Feynan track is the rare long Jordan hike you can do without a guide.
- Eco-lodges inside the reserve put money into the reserve and the villages around it.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanCold, fog and snow possible at 1,400 m; trails icy
- FebCold and wet; clear days between fronts
- MarWildflowers start; mild days, cold nights
- AprBest all-round walking weather
- MayWarm and dry; start walks early
- JunHot below the rim; carry 3 L
- JulVery hot in Wadi Araba; village still cool
- AugHottest month; walk only at dawn
- SepStill hot; heat eases late in the month
- OctDry, clear, comfortable
- NovMild days; cold nights
- DecCold and wet; some lodges quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nubian ibex on the canyon cliffsAll year · Early morning is the best chance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Migrating birds over the Wadi Araba flywayMar–Apr, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers on the highland plateauMar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Scorpions and snakes on the lowland trailsApr–Oct · Shake out boots and bags; do not put hands into rock cracks. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Amman
Car south on the Desert Highway or King's Highway to Al-Qadisiyah, then the signed 3 km (1.9 mi) side road down to Dana village.Car south on the Desert Highway or King's Highway to Al-Qadisiyah, then the signed 1.9 mi (3 km) side road down to Dana village.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From King's Highway (Kerak)
Drive south about 88 km (55 mi) from Kerak; the turn-off is just north of Al-Qadisiyah.Drive south about 55 mi (88 km) from Kerak; the turn-off is just north of Al-Qadisiyah.
1.5–2 h
From Petra / Wadi Musa
North on the King's Highway to Al-Qadisiyah, then the Dana turn-off.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Madaba
South on the King's Highway via Kerak, then the Dana turn-off.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Dana village | Ottoman-era stone houses on the cliff edge, small hotels, the reserve office and the trailhead. | Open; free to walk. |
| Wadi Dana | The main canyon below the village, running west toward Feynan. | The village-to-Feynan track is walkable without a guide; other routes need a guide. |
| Highland plateau | Juniper and oak woodland above the rim, with Bedouin grazing areas. | Guided only. |
| Wadi Araba floor | Desert lowland around Feynan Ecolodge, about 1,200 m below the village. | Reached on foot, by 4x4 transfer, or from the highway side. |
Sketch map
- 1Dana village · Village≈30.675, 35.611Map ↗
- 2Dana trailhead (village edge) · Trail≈30.674, 35.609Map ↗
- 3Wadi Dana canyon · Trail≈30.673, 35.588Map ↗
- 4Rummana campsite · Sleep≈30.634, 35.624Map ↗
- 5Feynan Ecolodge · Sleep≈30.639, 35.509Map ↗
- 6Al-Qadisiyah junction (King's Highway) · Gate≈30.690, 35.630Approximate; the Dana turn-off is just north of the village.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from Dana village down to Feynan, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dana village and the Wadi Araba trail | Free | person | No charge for the village or the walk down to Feynan. |
| Reserve conservation fee (guided trips into the reserve) | JOD 8.5 | person | 2026 estimate; reported by visitors but not confirmed on the RSCN site (check). |
| Guided day trek with an RSCN guide | JOD 40–90 | person | 2026 estimate; price depends on route, group size and whether a 4x4 is used (check). |
| Feynan Ecolodge night, half board | JOD 133–160 | room | 2026 estimate, single/double; meals and activities usually included (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Dana village and the Feynan track no permit
Any other trail in the reserve permit or guide
Rummana campsite permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- JOD 8.50
- JOD 40–90
- JOD 133–160
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature — Dana Biosphere Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for every trail except the village-to-Feynan route; book through the reserve office or your hotel.
- Alcohol
- Not permitted in the reserve.
- Water and litter
- Carry out everything you bring in; there is no water on the Feynan track.
- Dogs
- Village and Bedouin dogs can be aggressive; if one closes in, bend as if picking up a stone and it will usually back off.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the reserve management (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Dana village guesthouses and small hotels
Stone houses on the cliff edge, from basic rooms to mid-range; dinner is usually available and worth booking.
In the park
Feynan Ecolodge
Solar-powered lodge on the Wadi Araba floor, reached by the track or a 4x4 transfer; half board and activities included.
In the park
Rummana campsite
Tented camp inside the reserve, open roughly mid-March to end of October (check).
Near the park
Al-Nawatef Bedouin camp
About 3 km (1.9 mi) from the village, with canyon views and a shuttle.About 1.9 mi (3 km) from the village, with canyon views and a shuttle.
Safety
Heat and exposure on the descent to Feynan high
Loose rock and steep, unmarked ground medium
Cold and fog at the village in winter medium
Dogs around the village and Bedouin camps low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The village road and the viewpoints around Dana village can be reached by car with short walks.
- The Feynan track and canyon routes are steep, rough and unshaded; not suitable for limited mobility or wheels.
Visiting lightly
- Stay and eat in different village places so spending spreads across the community, not just the largest hotel.
- Use RSCN guides and lodges; fees and bookings fund reserve management and local employment.
- Buy less 'handicraft' sold in the village — much of it is not made locally.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Dana Nature Reserve?
Walking in Dana village and taking the Wadi Araba trail down to Feynan is free. Visitors have reported a conservation fee of about 8.50 JD for guided trips into the reserve, but this is not confirmed on the RSCN site — treat it as a 2026 estimate and check when you book. Guided treks and lodge nights cost far more than the entry itself.
What are the best hikes in Dana Nature Reserve?
The village-to-Feynan track is the standout: 3–5 hours, all downhill, and the only long route you can walk without a guide. The Wadi Dana canyon walk and the highland plateau loop are shorter but need an RSCN guide. All of them are rough, unshaded and dry — carry water.
When is the best time to visit Dana Nature Reserve?
March to May and October to November. Spring brings wildflowers and mild walking weather; autumn is dry and clear. July and August are too hot for the descent to Feynan, and January can bring fog, rain and even snow at the village, which sits at about 1,400 m.
Do I need a guide in Dana Nature Reserve?
Only for trails other than the village-to-Feynan route. That one is walkable independently, though you still need a plan for getting back — a pre-arranged pick-up, a lodge transfer, or the walk out to the highway. Everything else in the reserve requires an RSCN guide.
Can I visit Dana as a day trip from Amman?
It is possible but poor value: about 3 hours each way, leaving only a short walk before you drive back. One night in the village or at Feynan is the right minimum, and it fits naturally into a King's Highway drive between Madaba, Kerak and Petra.
Where should I stay near Dana Nature Reserve?
Inside the reserve: Feynan Ecolodge on the Wadi Araba floor and the seasonal Rummana campsite. In Dana village: small guesthouses and mid-range hotels in the old stone houses. Just outside: Bedouin camps about 3 km from the village. Book ahead in spring and autumn.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go