Permits & Reservations

Special Park Use Permits

Thank you for your interest in Golden Spike National Historic Site.

Special Use Permits(SUP)

Certain types of activities require a special use permit. Examples include:

• Special events such as organized group gatherings, celebrations, and club meetings;
• First Amendment Activities such as speeches, church services, vigils and other activities designed to communicate a message;

• Commercial filming and photography.

Applications for most permits should be submitted at least 30 to 60 days before the event. More complicated permits will most likely require more time, planning and incur greater costs.

Fees:
Simple Special Use Permits require a non-refundable $100.00 application fee. This fee should be sent along with the application. Permit applications must be detailed and provide the complete scope of the activity requested.

Approved permits will require cost recovery fees, that are estimated based on the scope of the permit. Other charges may apply depending on the activities.

For more information regarding Special Use Permits or to determine if your activity requires one, pleases call 435-471-2209 x441 or e-mail the park with the subject line "Attn: Special Use Permits."

Commercial Filming and Photography

Location Fees and Cost Recovery are required for Commercial Filming and Still Photography. Due to logistics and scheduling, applications for Commercial Film permits should be submitted in advance, minimum 60 to 90 days before the proposed filming date. More complicated permits will most likely require more time and incur greater costs. Commercial film applications require a non-refundable $100.00 application fee. This $ 100.00 application fee may be paid over the phone via credit card. The established permit fee and proof of general liability insurance must be paid and submitted before the project begins.

Filming the Locomotives
The locomotive run season is from early May to Columbus day in October. Please note the locomotives are authentic wood burning and coal fired steam locomotives replicating over 200 year old technology. As such the park can not control for unforeseen mechanical failure.

A permit is generally not required for personal, noncommercial filming and photography within normal visitation hours and areas throughout the site.

Note: Golden Spike National Historic Site is surrounded by private land and does not facilitate or provide access to adjacent or nearby private landowners for commercial scouting crews or private photographers.

Drones are not permitted at Golden Spike National Historic Site.

Policy Memorandum 14-05, released by the National Park Service (NPS) director in June 2014, directed each superintendent to use the authority under 36 CFR 1.5 to prohibit the launching, landing, or operation of unmanned aircraft, subject to the certain conditions and exceptions set forth in the memo. This is still in force with a very few exceptions.

Research Permits

• The Research Permit and Reporting System can be found at
  https://irma.nps.gov/RPRS/

Note: Golden Spike National Historic Site is surrounded by private land and does not facilitate or provide access to adjacent or nearby private landowners!

Submitting a Permit

Once completed, the permit application must be printed and signed. It cannot be saved and emailed. The application can be faxed or mailed to the park (contact information is provided on the application) or scanned and emailed. Applications are not considered complete until all requirements have been submitted, including the application fees and liability insurance certificates (except for First Amendment applications).

Permits for Education Groups

Please email the park with the subject line "School Group Reservation" with your request.
Please Note: School Group Reservations for the Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 school year are currently not being accepted.

• Education Groups

 

Our Mission:

"The service...shall promote and regulate the use of ... national parks ... [its] purpose is 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." (16 U.S.C. 1)

It is the policy of the National Park Service (NPS) to allow for special uses such as organized group gatherings, club meetings, filming and photography when and where possible, while adhering to this mandate. Therefore, when reviewing Special Use Permit and Commercial Filming applications, the primary concerns of the NPS are potential impacts to park resources and disruption of visitor use.