Ruhama Badlands, Nature reserve in Negev, Israel.

Ruhama Badlands is a nature reserve in the Negev with two distinct areas featuring rolling hills, seasonal streams, and exposed kurkar ridges. Water erosion has shaped these rock formations over time, creating the badlands terrain visible today.

The reserve's plan was deposited in September 1966 and approved in May 1967; the reserve was officially declared in December 1969, covering about 4,800 dunams. A plan change was deposited in 1979 and approved in January 1980.

The reserve's name comes from Kibbutz Ruhama, which it surrounds on its east and west sides. In winter the loess soil is covered with anemones, cyclamens, bee orchids and Israeli irises, which give way to chamomile in spring. The eastern block is the badlands area, while the western block is a kurkar ridge south of Route 334.

The western section of the reserve can be accessed via Road 334, making it easy to reach by car. February offers the best time to visit if you want to see the wildflowers in bloom.

The loess soil composition creates specific water drainage patterns that shape the distinctive badlands terrain found here. These geological conditions allow the wildflower vegetation that covers the hills to thrive.