Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording
The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.
On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.
Key elements of the new law include:
- 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 National Park Service.
- 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.
To apply for a photography and filming permit, please download a
Special Use Permit application.
Fees:
- When a permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
Please contact the park you are visiting for more information about filming, still photography, and audio recording in that park.
FAQ’s
- Do I need a permit to film, take still photographs, or record audio in a park?
No, provided the filming, still photography, or audio recording activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets 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 National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park you are visiting before you conduct your activity for more information.
- Who needs a permit for filming, still photography, or audio recording in parks?
You may need a permit if your group is more than eight individuals, or the activity does not meet any 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 National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park you are visiting before you conduct your activity for more information.
- If I already have a permit for an activity, do I need another permit to film, take photographs, or recordings?
No. A separate permit and fee payment is not required for filming, photography, or audio recording that is associated with a permitted event, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
- I’m a content creator, student, reporter, or a member of a news media organization, do I need a perm
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.
You do not need a permit if the activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets 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, and other visitors; and
- Will not result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, please contact the park you are visiting for more information.
- What fees will I have to pay for a permit?
When a permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
- Even though I’m not required to get a permit, can I still request one?
Yes, you may request and the National Park Service may issue a permit even when one is not required.
- How do I apply for a permit?
To apply for a photography and filming permit, please download a
Special Use Permit application. If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park you are visiting for more information.
- What about photography workshops?
If you are planning a photography workshop as a business, you may need a commercial use authorization. Contact the park for more information.
