openSaudi Arabia العربية
Caves of Jethro — Madain Saleh 1.jpg

Caves & Sinkholes · Tabuk & the Red Sea

Caves of Jethro

مدائن شعيب

Photo: Madain Saleh 1.jpg · KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ · CC BY SA 4.0 (licence)

Before you go

7 facts, each with its source
  • Time needed 1–2 hours Source: editor · category default
  • Best season November–March Source: editor · category default
  • Difficulty Moderate — dark, damp and uneven underfoot Source: editor · category default
  • Family friendly Older children — dark and slippery Source: editor · category default
  • Drones Registration with GACA is required for any drone from 250 g, and registration alone is not permission to fly — an operational permit is also needed Source: official · national rule · General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) · checked 2026-09-05
  • Dress Saudi Arabia expects modest dress in public: loose clothing covering shoulders and knees. Abaya is no longer required of visitors. Closed shoes with grip and one warm layer; caves stay cool. Source: editor · category default
  • Elevation 260 m Source: srtm · NASA SRTM 30 m model

Not confirmed for this place: 4x4 needed · Entry fee · Opening hours · Facilities · Wheelchair. Know one of these? Tell us →

Safety notes

  • Lava tubes and limestone sinkholes here are unlit, unmarked and often entered over loose rock above a drop. Look from the rim; going down is a caving trip, not a visit.

Editor notes, reviewed 2026-09-04

How far is it?

  • 7 h 33 mfrom AlUla International Airport (ULH) · 477 km
  • 2 h 47 mfrom Tabuk · 225 km
  • 7 h 32 mfrom AlUla (old town and Hegra gateway) · 475 km

Road distance and driving time from OpenStreetMap routing, without traffic. Mountain tracks are often slower than the router thinks.

When to go

November–March
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
ComfortableToo hot

The lava-field caves and the limestone sinkholes are reached across open ground with no shade; the approach sets the season, not the cave. The north is the cold end of the country. Winter nights drop below anything else on this site and the high ground occasionally sees snow, so a winter trip here needs different clothes from a winter trip to Jeddah.

Source: editor · category default · 2026-09-04. Category default set by the editor — a verified per-place season replaces it.

archaeological site in Saudi Arabia

Short description from Wikidata (CC0) · Q12241575

About & Sources Caves of Jethro

Caves of Jethro is a cave or sinkhole in Tabuk & the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia — Wikidata describes it as "archaeological site in Saudi Arabia". Entry fee, opening hours and vehicle requirements have not yet been verified for this page — the fact box says so plainly rather than guessing, so check locally before you go. For this kind of place the comfortable season is typically November–March. Nearby: Madain tombs, Madyan and Al-Manifa.

At a glance

  • Caves & Sinkholes · Tabuk & the Red Sea
  • archaeological site in Saudi Arabia
  • Season: November–March (editor default)
  • 1 open-data source · verified not yet

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Caves of Jethro?

Typically November–March for caves & sinkholes. The lava-field caves and the limestone sinkholes are reached across open ground with no shade; the approach sets the season, not the cave. The north is the cold end of the country. Winter nights drop below anything else on this site and the high ground occasionally sees snow, so a winter trip here needs different clothes from a winter trip to Jeddah.

How long do I need at Caves of Jethro?

1–2 hours (guidance for this category).

How high is Caves of Jethro?

About 260 m above sea level (source: srtm).

Where is Caves of Jethro?

In Tabuk & the Red Sea (SA-07), Saudi Arabia, at 28.4874, 35.0003 — near Madain tombs, Madyan and Al-Manifa.

Who can take you there

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Information is compiled from open data and editor checks; conditions, fees and access change — verify locally before you travel.