Rules for visiting Sierra Nevada
What is allowed and what is not at the resort and around it: camping, motorhomes, ski touring, dogs, drones and fires. Each rule links to the official source it comes from.
The resort lies within Sierra Nevada Natural Area: the resort is in the western sector of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, which surrounds the National Park (Decreto 238/2011, PORN and PRUG), so its public-use rules also apply. Source: juntadeandalucia.es
⛺ Camping and bivouac
- With conditionsBivouac and overnight camping only while trekking: with prior notification if the group has fewer than 15 people and fewer than 3 tents, and with authorisation if it is larger. The tent may be pitched 1 h before sunset and must be taken down 1 h after sunrise.Source: juntadeandalucia.es
- With conditionsYou may not spend more than one night in the same place. The notification must state the maximum number of people, the sleeping gear, the route and the planned bivouac areas. Each participant takes their own waste with them.Source: juntadeandalucia.es
🚐 Motorhomes and caravans
- ProhibitedCetursa car parks do not accept motorhomes, motorbikes or trailers, and the maximum height is 2,20 m. For exceptional cases, contact the Car Park Control Centre. Using the parked vehicle for any activity is also not allowed.Source: umb.sierranevada.es
- ProhibitedIn the Sierra Nevada Natural Area, parking caravans and motorhomes to spend the night outside the places expressly designated for it is prohibited.Source: juntadeandalucia.es
🎿 Ski touring and snowshoes on the slopes
- With conditionsFor safety reasons, any activity other than alpine skiing and snowboarding needs a prior agreement with Cetursa on the use of lifts and slopes. Cetursa publishes the specific conditions on its website.Source: umb.sierranevada.es
🐕 Dogs
- With conditionsOnly assistance dogs, including those in training, are allowed on the lifts, under Andalusian Law 11/2021, on presentation of the documentation and if the lift conditions allow it. Leaving animals inside or outside the vehicle in Cetursa car parks is prohibited.Source: umb.sierranevada.es
- ProhibitedIn the National Park, dogs and pets are not allowed off the leash. The only exceptions are rescue dogs, guide dogs and herding dogs working with livestock.Source: juntadeandalucia.es
🛸 Drones
- ProhibitedFlying drones is prohibited in areas open to the public, including the slopes and operating lifts. To fly outside the ski area you must hold permits from AESA and from the Sierra Nevada National Park.Source: umb.sierranevada.es
🔥 Fires and barbecues
- ProhibitedFires are prohibited except in designated and signposted areas. When bivouacking or trekking, cooking is only allowed in designated places, and gas or liquid-fuel stoves must be placed on ground free of vegetation within a radius of at least 5 m.Source: juntadeandalucia.es
🛷 Sledging
- With conditionsIn the Natural Area, using sledges outside the places designated by resolution of the Directorate General for Natural Areas, or in designated places with usage restrictions, requires authorisation from the Regional Ministry of the Environment.Source: juntadeandalucia.es
📋 Other rules
- ProhibitedIn the National Park, it is prohibited to collect animals, plants, minerals or rocks, and also to leave waste or discharge anything into springs, rivers or lagoons.Source: miteco.gob.es
Frequently asked questions
- Can you camp or bivouac at Sierra Nevada?
- With conditions. Bivouac and overnight camping only while trekking: with prior notification if the group has fewer than 15 people and fewer than 3 tents, and with authorisation if it is larger. The tent may be pitched 1 h before sunset and must be taken down 1 h after sunrise. With conditions. You may not spend more than one night in the same place. The notification must state the maximum number of people, the sleeping gear, the route and the planned bivouac areas. Each participant takes their own waste with them.
- Can you sleep in a motorhome at Sierra Nevada?
- Prohibited. Cetursa car parks do not accept motorhomes, motorbikes or trailers, and the maximum height is 2,20 m. For exceptional cases, contact the Car Park Control Centre. Using the parked vehicle for any activity is also not allowed. Prohibited. In the Sierra Nevada Natural Area, parking caravans and motorhomes to spend the night outside the places expressly designated for it is prohibited.
- Can you skin up the slopes at Sierra Nevada?
- With conditions. For safety reasons, any activity other than alpine skiing and snowboarding needs a prior agreement with Cetursa on the use of lifts and slopes. Cetursa publishes the specific conditions on its website.
- Can you bring a dog to Sierra Nevada?
- With conditions. Only assistance dogs, including those in training, are allowed on the lifts, under Andalusian Law 11/2021, on presentation of the documentation and if the lift conditions allow it. Leaving animals inside or outside the vehicle in Cetursa car parks is prohibited. Prohibited. In the National Park, dogs and pets are not allowed off the leash. The only exceptions are rescue dogs, guide dogs and herding dogs working with livestock.
- Can you fly a drone at Sierra Nevada?
- Prohibited. Flying drones is prohibited in areas open to the public, including the slopes and operating lifts. To fly outside the ski area you must hold permits from AESA and from the Sierra Nevada National Park.
- Can you light a fire or barbecue at Sierra Nevada?
- Prohibited. Fires are prohibited except in designated and signposted areas. When bivouacking or trekking, cooking is only allowed in designated places, and gas or liquid-fuel stoves must be placed on ground free of vegetation within a radius of at least 5 m.
- Where can you go sledging at Sierra Nevada?
- With conditions. In the Natural Area, using sledges outside the places designated by resolution of the Directorate General for Natural Areas, or in designated places with usage restrictions, requires authorisation from the Regional Ministry of the Environment.
Before you go
Rules collected on 11 October 2026 and reviewed every month. Rules change and may have exceptions: if in doubt, follow the protected area, the local council or the resort. Translated from Spanish; some sources may be in another language.