Special Use Permits

Special Use Permits are required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large and for activities that require some degree of management by the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest. The panels below provide information for the most common Special Use Permit requests and how to apply for them.
For questions or additional assistance, please call Amistad National Recreation Area Headquarters at 830-309-5861 or 830-775-7492, ext. 2202. Ranger Activities can also be contacted via email.

Applications may be sent to:

 

Amistad National Recreation Area

10477 Highway 90 West
Del Rio, TX 78840

 

Attn: Ranger Activities

 

Demonstrations & Distribution of Materials

The NPS will authorize the use of parklands for public assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, religious activities, and other public expressions of views protected by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. All requests for similar activities by disparate applicants are treated equally. If permit criteria and requirements are met, no group wishing to lawfully assemble will be discriminated against or denied the right of assembly. A permit may be used to regulate the time, location, number of participants, use of the facilities, and number and type of equipment used to protect park resources, but not the content of the message presented. These regulations are found in 36 CFR Part 2. The following table provides a summary of the activities that may be relevant under these regulations. To obtain the permit, fill out the Demonstrations & Distribution of Materials Special Use Permit application and mail to the address at the top of the page.

Note: This information is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Summary of activities that may be relevant under these regulations.

Type of Activity	Is this authorized by the NPS regulations and policy that govern First Amendment Activities?	Does the small group exception apply?	Permit Requirements/Additional Considerations
Conducting a First Amendment activity in a non-designated area of a National Park.	No	No	36 CFR §2.51 and §2.52 provide that demonstrating or selling or distributing printed matter must occur in available, designated areas of a park.
Utilizing a sound system or other equipment (e.g., stages, platforms or structures etc.).	Yes	No	36 CFR §§2.12(a)(4), 2.51(b)(1)(iv), 2.52(b)(1)(iv) requires a SPU permit for all groups, regardless of size, wanting to use a sound system or other equipment.
Selling or freely distributing commercial items at any time, including during a First Amendment activity.	No	No	All commercial activity is subject to regulation under 36 CFR Part 5. (See also Commercial Use Authorizations webpage.)
Selling or freely distributing message-bearing, noncommercial, printed matter such as books, pamphlets, magazines, and leaflets in a designated area of a National Park.	Yes	Yes	SUPs are required by 36 CFR §2.52(b) for the sale or distribution of noncommercial, printed matter when the group size is larger than 25, but groups of 25 or fewer people may distribute and sell printed matter in available, designated areas without a permit.
Freely distributing message-bearing, noncommercial material that does not qualify as printed matter in a designated area of a National Park.	Yes	Yes	Pursuant to NPS Policy Memorandum 14-01, material that is not printed matter may also be distributed under 36 CFR §2.52. Pursuant to NPS policy, however, SUPs are required for giveaways of noncommercial, message-bearing materials (such as CDs, buttons, bumper stickers, etc.) when the group size is larger than 25. Groups of 25 or fewer people may freely give away such material in available, designated areas without a permit.
Selling message-bearing, noncommercial material that does not qualify as printed matter.	No	No	The sale of message-bearing, noncommercial material is only authorized if the material qualifies as printed matter. SUPs may not be issued for commercial activity, which is subject to regulation under 36 CFR Part 5. (See also Commercial Use Authorizations webpage.)
Soliciting for donations during a First Amendment or special event activity.	Yes	No	36 CFR §2.37 requires an SUP under 2.50, 2.51, or 2.52 for all groups, regardless of size, wanting to solicit for donations, goods, or services during a First Amendment or special event activity.
Roving tent-to-tent or through the park campground, lodging, or employee housing to proselytize, distribute literature, or to inform people of upcoming First Amendment events.	Generally, No	No	Campgrounds, lodging, and employee housing areas generally do not meet the criteria for a designated, available First Amendment area under the criteria found at 36 CFR §2.51(c)(1)(i)-(vi).

Filming & Photography

In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

• Occurs in areas open to the public; 
• Uses hand-carried equipment only; 
• Does not require exclusive use of a site; 
• Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and 
• Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the NPS. 

Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.
Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required. 
If your project does not meet all of the specifications, exceeds eight people, or does not fall under one of the exclusions, the Filming and Photography Special Use Permit application should be filled out and sent to the address at the top of the page.

Fishing Tournaments

Amistad National Recreation Area is home to world-class fishing and hosts numerous tournaments each year. Most popular among the fishermen here are the bass. To learn more about the tournaments that have been or will be held on Lake Amistad or how to obtain an SUP and host one of your own, visit the Fishing Tournaments page.

Hunting

Hunting with archery or shotgun is permitted in designated locations within the park with a Special Use Permit (often called a "Hunting Permit") in addition to the usual required documentation (hunting license, driver license, etc). The hunting year at Amistad National Recreation Area is limited to approximately the first day of dove season for the Central Zone through the last day of quail season each year. Because the park has more restrictive regulations than the standard State regulations, the park Hunting webpage is updated around late August with each year's SUP applications and park-specific hunting regulations. These regulations are in addition to State regulations for the year. For more information about hunting and applying for the SUP, visit the park Hunting page.

Other Special Uses

This Special Use Permit application covers all other potential park special uses that are not commercial operations. Please use the contact information at the top of the page for any questions pertaining to this permit or to mail your application. Fees may apply to your special park use. If so, you will receive an email with further instructions.