Permits & Reservations

The following activities or events require scheduling or a reservation.

Group Guided Tours - Guided tours for groups are available by advance arrangement. We ask for at least three weeks notice when requesting a group guided tour. Call 620-223-0310 to request a tour.

Distance Learning - In addition to traditional in-park programs, Fort Scott NHS has distance learning opportunities. For more information, visit our Distance Learning page, contact the park by e-mail, or call 620-223-0310.

Education Programs - For a list of curriculum and lesson plans, visit our For Teachers page. For additional questions or to schedule a program, contact the park by e-mail or call 620-223-0310.

Spring Education Program Events - In addition to our regular educational programming, we offer two special in-park school programs in April and May: Life on the Frontier (K-4) and Sweep Through History (5-8). These programs are offered on specific days and reservations are required. For more information on educational programs, visit our For Teachers page.

Candlelight Tour- Each December we have an event where the entire fort is lit by candle lanterns. The site comes to life with about 100 reenactors who involve you in telling stories of the site's history at various places throughout the park. A tour guide leads you through the event. The event is held the first Friday and Saturday evening in December. Tickets go on sale November 1st. Call 620-223-0310.

 

Special Park Uses (including Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording):

Often individuals, organizations, and businesses consider national parks appealing settings to hold events, express opinions, shoot commercials or major motion pictures, or photograph models for catalogs or kids for their school pictures. Couples choose national parks as beautiful wedding venues. Families gather to share meals and celebrate the generations. At times, the National Park Service requires permits for activities like these to make sure these activities do not cause unacceptable impacts to a park's natural and cultural resources or unduly interfere with park visitors' access and enjoyment.

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.

A Special Park Use Permit (SUP) can by used by park management to authorize the use of park-managed lands and waters for a variety of activities and uses. With the exception of the sale of printed material (36 CFR 2.52), SUPs are not used to authorize commercial activities. Commercial activities require a commercial use authorization, concession contract, or lease.

For additional questions, please contact Fort Scott National Historic Site's permit coordinator by e-mail or call 620-223-0310.

Activities that require special use permits include:

• Demonstrations and Distribution of Materials [.docx, 842KB] uses a new form and must be used for all First Amendment activity. There are no fees or costs required for the activities, unless documented damage occur.(36 CFR 2.51, 2.52)
• Special events such as fun runs, large gatherings, concerts, and festivals (36 CFR 2.50), Special Use Permit Application Form [.docx, 840KB]
• Filming and still photography, as well as student filming projects (54 U.S.C. 100905), Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording Permit Application Form [.docx, 851KB], Email the park for more information.
• Photo/Filming Permit Information [.doc, 47KB]