Ein Avdat is the canyon that makes Sde Boker more than a Ben-Gurion stop. A spring-fed stream cuts through white chalk cliffs below Midreshet Ben-Gurion, with pools, reeds, ibex, and vultures turning a dry landscape into something unexpectedly alive.
There are short lower walks and longer routes involving steep steps and metal rungs. Start early, carry water, and check the direction rules before beginning; some sections are one-way.