Camping in Gran Canaria

Camping in Gran Canaria

Although Gran Canaria is more famous for the other definition of camp, camping with a tent is actually very good here. There are a huge variety of campsites all well looked after and in some of the most beautiful places on the island. They vary from big campsites with room for motor caravans, hot showers and little restaurants which sell ice cream and beer, to clearings in the forest with little more than a space to put your tent with a couple of rocks carefully arranged to resemble a table and chairs.

How to book

You HAVE to get permission to camp. If you don't you'll probably get caught and fined. the forest rangers patrol every campsite every day. However getting a camping permit is free and relatively painless.

To go camping in the mountains

To get the permit you need to go to the 'Oficina de información y atención al ciudadano (OIAC)' located on Profesor Agustín Millares Carló in Las Palmas. There you need to present your NIE and say where and when you want to go and they will issue you a certificate which you take camping. They are open from 08.30 to 14.00 Monday to Friday and 17.00 - 19.00 on Thursday (except in the Summer) abd on Saturday morning from 9.00-12.00. You can also call them on 928219229 to reserve your campsite and they will hold your reservation for 3 days until you go into the office to pick up your certificate. If you are planning to go camping on a bank holiday weekend it is recommended that you book early.

To go camping on the coast

There are campsites on the coast but they are not run by the Las Palmas offices - to find out where to book the campsite call 928219229.

Where to go

Mountains

You can find a link to all the campsites in the mountains here .

The ones we have visited are

Presa de las niñas - big campsite with lots of people. It has hot showers. When there is water in teh lake you can go swimming.

Morro de santiago - tiny campsite with barbeque areas. It has toilets and washing facilities. You will probably be the only people there.

Secadero de Cruz Grande - Mini campsite, with no facilities at all. It is in the middle of the forest and it is unlikely you'll see anyone while you're there. (near Presa de Chira)

LLanos de la Pez - big campsite by the side of the road. Very popular withe locals for barbequeing and camping.

If you have visited any of the other campsites please let us know via the comment section below.