Special Use Permits

The NPS arrowhead on a park ranger's uniform is in full-focus with a sunset and Joshua tree out-of-focus in the background.

The National Park Service (NPS) was created by the Organic Act of 1916. This foundational legislation gave parks the mission to "conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations".

In order to manage the public’s requests for private use, the Office of Special Park Uses was established. “It is the policy of the National Park Service (NPS) to allow special uses that are not in conflict with law or policy; will not result in derogation of the values and purposes for which the park was established; do not present a threat to public safety or property and do not unduly interfere with normal park operations, resource protection, or visitor use.”

Joshua Tree National Park has the authority and responsibility to evaluate applicant requests, permit, manage, and/or deny all special uses within the park. Therefore, before any permit will be granted, consideration will be given to potential park resource impacts, as well as impacts to visitor use, access to park sites, and park administration. There are cost recovery fees associated with the administration and management of special use permits for costs incurred by the park. In the special park use guidelines, it states that “it is the policy of the NPS to charge permit fees for special uses. Permit fees should reflect the fair market value of a benefit provided the permittee. The fair market value of a special use is the value of the lands or facilities used and the NPS cost incurred in managing, facilitating, or supporting the use.”

A special park use is defined as an activity that takes place in a park area and that:

provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization rather than the public at large;
requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest; is not prohibited by law or regulation;
is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the National Park Service (NPS); and is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease;
is a short term activity.

*Please note that while a special park use may meet the above criteria, not all activities are approved based on park specific resources, visitation, and potential impact.

The National Park Service may permit a special park use if the proposed activity will not:

cause injury, damage or impairments to park resources;
be contrary to the park’s purpose for which the park was established and the mission of the NPS;
unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural, historic, or commemorative locations within the park;
or interfere with visitor use, access, and programs interfere with park management or administration;
interfere with concession operations or other public facilities;
present a clear and present danger to public health and safety.