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Mount Teide to be watched around the clock as Tenerife tightens control
Teide National Park to be monitored 24 hours a day to protect it from mass tourism and illegal camping
Mount Teide is set to be monitored 24 hours a day for the first time, as Tenerife’s Cabildo (the island council) brings in tougher measures to protect the national park from mass tourism and poor behaviour.The change follows years of complaints about weak control, illegal camping and damage caused by visitors, and comes as authorities prepare to tighten enforcement across one of Spain’s most popular natural sites. The Cabildo says the park will now be watched around the clock, every day of the year.
One of the biggest changes is the increase in dedicated environmental officers, with numbers rising from just two to fourteen. They will be permanently based in the park, alongside new night patrols that did not exist before. These teams will work with SEPRONA and the Policía Local to keep a closer eye on activity in Teide, especially after dark, when large parts of the area were previously left without supervision.
Until now, that lack of night‑time oversight meant some visitors were able to break the rules, including staying overnight illegally and damaging protected areas. Tenerife island president Rosa Dávila admitted the park had been “neglected” for years and said it needed urgent action. The new patrols are also expected to improve response times in the event of emergencies, fires or environmental damage.
Officials say this is only the beginning. More measures are being considered, including possible booking systems and limits on the number of people allowed into certain areas. The aim is to reduce traffic, overcrowding and pressure on the environment, even if those restrictions may not be welcomed by everyone.
Mount Teide is not only one of Tenerife’s main attractions, but also Spain’s most visited national park. With millions of people heading there every year, the island council says stronger control is now essential to protect both the landscape and public safety. For visitors, the message is clear. Rules at Teide will be enforced more strictly from now on.
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