New campsite and campervan area planned in South Tenerife
Tenerife is set to gain a new official campsite and campervan area in the south of the island, on the former site of the El Pinalito bottled water factory in Vilaflor, within the Corona Forestal Natural Park.
The Cabildo unanimously approved the initial step last Friday to insularise the economic activity linked to operating a campsite at the location. Councillors also agreed to set up a commission to produce, as quickly as possible, a detailed study examining the legal, financial and social implications of the different management models available.
Pedro Millán, Tenerife’s Island Director for the Natural Environment, told the plenary session that the aim is to analyse all conditions before deciding how the site should be run.
From Factory Site to Campsite
The El Pinalito factory ceased operations in 2004. In subsequent years, the facilities were transferred to the Cabildo. Following approval of the Corona Forestal management plan in 2012, the site was earmarked as particularly suitable for accommodation use, including a hostel and camping area.
In 2025, demolition work began on the old factory buildings. The contract was awarded for €453,000 and the works were completed in February this year. The total plot covers 7,020 square metres, of which 2,836 square metres had previously been occupied by buildings.
At the same time, an initial draft project was commissioned to outline how the land could be transformed into a campsite and motorhome area.
35 Pitches and Solar Power
According to the proposal, the new site would include 35 pitches suitable for tents and motorhomes, along with public toilets, a reception area, green spaces, a café and dedicated wastewater disposal points for motorhomes. The developed area would cover approximately 4,800 square metres.
Plans also include the installation of a photovoltaic energy system, allowing the site to operate independently and ensuring a reliable electricity supply in this forest setting.
The Cabildo will now assess different operating models, with a public works concession seen as the preferred option. This would allow a specialised private company to manage the campsite directly. The goal is for the project to go out to tender in the second half of this year.
Millán described the initiative as “unprecedented”, noting it will be the first time a campsite has been developed in a wooded natural area bordering Teide National Park.
For British residents and visitors who enjoy campervan holidays and outdoor stays, the project could provide a regulated alternative in one of Tenerife’s most scenic areas.
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