Special Use Permits

As required by law, Devils Postpile National Monument manages special park uses (special events). A special park use is defined as a short-term activity that takes place in a park area, and that:

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

Some examples of activities that require a special use permit include weddings, memorial services, organized gatherings, distribution of printed material and other public expressions of opinion, demonstrations, and other activities that are controlled or prohibited.

Applications for an special use permit must be submitted 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Permits will only be issued for events scheduled to occur prior to October 15. An application for the event must be completed and returned to the park for processing and approval before the event can occur. Along with a completed application, there are other requirements that may include the following: a permit application fee of $50 (First Amendment activities, qualifying educational groups, and scattering of ashes are exempt), event monitoring, and conditions/requirements specific to each event.

Once the application is received, the processing of your permit may take some time. There are dates, location, staffing, potential expenses, and possible liability and insurance issues that must be considered before a permit is approved. Accordingly, a final approved permit may not be received until just prior to the event. Contingent upon an approved written permit event planning may proceed, however; there are specific conditions that require compliance. These include but are not limited to the following:

• All advertisements and promotional material making reference to the event requires prior review and approval by the Superintendent or designee.
• Sponsors/vendors are prohibited from selling items and services of any kind.
• Presentations must be fee-free activities.
• No open fires.
• The designated area shall remain open to park visitors.
• A detailed schedule of proposed events and/or activities must be provided to the Superintendent for approval a minimum of two weeks in advance of the event date.
• The permittee may be required to reimburse Devils Postpile National Monument for expenses resulting from his/her event. If costs are anticipated they will be discussed beforehand.
• Proof of liability insurance may be required.

Each permit may have special conditions, however, the following conditions apply to all special use permits:

• The permittee is prohibited from giving false information; to do so will be considered a breach of conditions and be grounds for revocation: [36 CFR 2.32(a)(3)].
• The permittee shall exercise this privilege subject to the supervision of the Superintendent or designee, and shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, county and municipal laws, ordinances, regulations, codes, and the terms and conditions of this permit. Failure to do so may result in the immediate suspension of the permitted activity or the termination of the permit.
• If any provision of this permit shall be found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this permit shall not be affected and the other provisions of this permit shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
• The permittee is responsible for making all necessary contacts and arrangements with other Federal, State, and local agencies to secure required inspections, permits, licenses, etc.
• Failure to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this permit may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit.
• Permittee will reimburse NPS for cleanup or repair of damages required to be made by NPS staff or contractor in conjunction with a terminated permit.
• This permit may be revoked at the discretion of the Superintendent upon 24 hours notice, or without notice if damage to resources or facilities occurs or is threatened, notwithstanding any other term or condition of the permit to the contrary.
• This permit is made upon the express condition that the United States, its agents and employees shall be free from all liabilities and claims for damages and/or suits for or by reason of any injury, injuries, or death to any person or persons or property of any kind whatsoever, whether to the person or property of the Permit­tee, its agents or employees, or third parties, from any cause or causes whatsoever while in or upon said premises or any part thereof during the term of this permit or occasioned by any occupancy or use of said premises or any activity carried on by the Permittee in connection herewith, and the Permit­tee hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless the United States, its agents, and employees from all liabilities, charges, expenses and costs on account of or by reason of any such injuries, deaths, liabilities, claims, suits or losses however occurring or damages growing out of the same.
• Permittee agrees to carry general liability insurance against claims occasioned by the action or omissions of the permittee, its agents and employees in carrying out the activities and operations authorized by this permit. The amount of the policy has yet to be determined. Contact the monument for further information. It must be underwritten by a United States company naming the United States of America as additionally insured.
• The permittee agrees to provide the Superintendent with a Certificate of Insurance with the proper endorsements prior to the effective date of the permit. Permittee agrees to deposit with the park a bond in an amount to be determined (contact the monument for further information) from an authorized bonding company or in the form of cash or cash equivalent, to guarantee that all financial obligations to the park will be met, including the restoration and rehabilitation of the permitted area.
• Costs incurred by the park as a result of accepting and processing the application and managing and monitoring the permitted activity will be reimbursed by the permittee. Administrative costs and estimated costs for activities on site must be paid when the permit is approved.If any additional costs are incurred by the park, the permittee will be billed at the conclusion of the permit. Should the estimated costs paid exceed the actual costs incurred; the difference will be returned to the permittee.
• The person named on the permit as in charge of the permitted activity on-site must have full authority to make any decisions about the activity and must remain on-site at all times. He/she shall be responsible for all individuals, groups, vendors, etc. involved with the permit.
• The permittee represents and it is a condition of acceptance of this permit that, pursuant to 41 U.S. C. 22, "No Member of Congress shall be admitted to any share or part of any contract or agreement made, entered into, or accepted by or on behalf of the United States, or to any benefit to arise thereupon."
• Nothing herein contained shall be construed as binding the Service to expend in any one fiscal year any sum in excess of appropriations made by Congress or administra­tively allocated for the purpose of this permit for the fiscal year, or to involve the Service in any contract or other obligation for the further expenditure of money in excess of such appropriations or allocations.
• This permit may not be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the Superintendent.

For questions related to permits, please call the Superintendent's office at 760-924-5505.

Permit Applications and Conditions

General Special Use Permits

Educational groups traveling in vehicles over 25 feet in length

Wedding Permit Application
Wedding Permit Conditions

Dispersing Cremated Remains

Filming and Photography (email us for permit application)

First Amendment, assemblies, meetings, and other uses
First Amendment Demonstration Area Map

You can email the completed application to [e-mail].

Contact Us

If you have any questions about special use permits, please email us.