The Secret Garden is a narrow, high walled canyon located in the Bajdah Desert, about 100km northwest of Tabuk, inside the NEOM Nature Reserve. It’s known for its dramatic rock formations, this quiet, isolated spot is one of NEOM’s hidden treasures.
Reaching the Secret Garden
The Secret Garden is now inside a protected nature reserve, so things have changed a bit in terms of access. You can’t hike in anymore like before. Now, you’ll need a 4×4, and you’re only allowed to get out and walk around once you’re actually at the canyon. Still, even the drive out there feels like an adventure.
Bajdah Wildlife Reserve
The Secret Garden sits inside the Bajdah Wildlife Reserve, one of the most beautiful and protected parts of NEOM. The landscapes here are beautiful, big rock formations and open desert. Because it’s a nature reserve, access is limited to help protect the area’s wildlife and fragile environment. If you’re curious about what else is out there, I’ve shared more about it in my article.
RISE100 event & the NEOM Beach Games
The Secret Garden isn’t just a great place to explore, it’s also a climbing spot. Back in 2021, it was used for NEOM’s RISE100 climbing competition, and then again in 2023 for the NEOM Beach Games. A lot of the original setup is still there. It’s easily one of the wildest climbing areas in Saudi. Climbers, mainly from NEOM, have been coming back and using the equipment to climb the crags.
The Secret Garden
The first part of the canyon leading to the secret garden is wide and tall.
And if you keep going a bit further, you’ll find another, smaller canyon, this one is much narrower, and even more enclosed. You need to squeeze sideways through a tight rock corridor. It’s not for the claustrophobic 🙂
A personal note
I’ve been to the Secret Garden a few times now, but one visit really stands out. I was with a friend, and we had just reached Ship Rock, another impressive formation in the Bajdah area, when we met two Bedouins by complete chance. It turned into one of those unexpected, memorable encounters you don’t plan for.
We ended up sharing Arabic coffee together, in the Secret Garden and walking through the narrow canyon. Back then, the wildlife reserve didn’t exist yet, so we could drive more freely through the area. After coffee, we went off driving across the sand dunes and headed closer to the Jordanian border. It was simple, spontaneous, and exactly the kind of moment that makes this whole part of Saudi Arabia feel so special to me.
Don’t miss: the rock of Umm Sarhaij
Not too far from the Secret Garden, there’s another spot I really recommend checking: the Rock of Umm Sarhaij. This massive rock looks kind of surreal. If you’re already out exploring, it’s an easy detour and totally worth it. It’s actually just outside the NEOM Bajdah Wildlife Reserve. To make it easier to find, you can find the coordinates here: 28.414264336318887, 35.79759034797392
Know before you go
You’ll need a 4×4, no regular cars.
Hiking isn’t allowed anymore, so you can only get out and walk around once you’re actually at the Secret Garden.
There’s nothing nearby, no shops, no fuel, no shade. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection.
And just a heads-up: this is a protected nature reserve, so make sure to follow the rules and leave no trace.
