The conversion of alpha-pinene (α-pinene) to camphene and limonene catalyzed by acid clays (dioctahedral and trioctahedral) was studied in a batch reactor. Conversions of about 50% were obtained after 1h reaction at 373K. Selectivities in camphene and limonene and their derivatives between 52.6-54.5% and 37.6-44.6%, respectively, were attained using smectites treated with acid as catalysts. The catalytic activity of smectites for the alpha pinene conversion was correlated with the structural and textural characteristics, and the total acidity of the clays.