Filming, Still Photography and Audio Recording

In most cases, a permit is not required for casual visitor activities. There are some circumstances when a permit is needed for filming, photography and audio recording.

NPS Photo

 

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.

 

In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals.

NPS Photo

Filming, Still Photography and Audio Recording

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.

• 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.
• 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.

How do I apply for a permit?

Contact the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park film permit coordinator by phone at [phone] or email to discuss your project first. If a permit is required, you should submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible, but at least 10 business days in advance. Early consultation with park staff helps us process the submitted application in a timely manner.

A link to the applications is below. Submit the completed application by email at least 10 business days ahead of your proposed dates in the park.

Application for Special Use Permit Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording (pdf. 853 KB)

What fees will I have to pay?

The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for most film permits. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring your permit. This amount will vary depending on the size and complexity of your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

The National Park Service uses the following filming fee schedule:

• 1 – 2 people, camera and tripod only $0/day
• 1 - 10 people $150/day
• 11 - 30 people $250/day
• 31 - 49 people $500/day
• Over 50 people $750/day

The National Park Service uses the following still photography fee schedule:

• 1–10 people - $50/day
• 11–30 people - $150/day
• Over 30 people - $250/day

Are there other permit requirements like insurance?

Once your application is reviewed, you may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

If insurance is required:

• A certificate of insurance (COI) must be issued by a United States company in the name of the permittee and not the applicant.
• The United States of America must be listed as an “additional insured” on the face of the COI.
• The COI and the endorsement page must be received by the park before the start of the permitted activity.
• An electronic certificate will be accepted.
• Minimum insurance requirement is $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate

Filming in Wilderness Areas

The National Park Service manages and protects more than 67 million acres of park lands and waters as wilderness areas. These areas have additional laws and policies to preserve their wilderness character for future generations. Filming activities in wilderness areas must follow all applicable laws and regulations that govern wilderness areas in the park, including prohibitions on structures, installations, motor vehicles, mechanical transport, motorized equipment, motorboats, or landing of aircrafts.

Except for casual filming by visitors, special use permits for filming are required for all filming activities in wilderness areas, no matter the group size or equipment used.

What about photography workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.

Film and still photography permits prohibit:

• Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is prohibited.
• Harassment or introduction of wildlife.
• Altering, moving, cutting, or defacing any geological, natural, or cultural resource.
• Entry into closed areas including Halema'uma'u or onto newly created land called deltas.
• Digging in the ground or removal of natural features.
• Entry into all lava tubes, except for Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube).
• Nudity.
• Filming of areas considered sacred to the Hawaiian people, unless filming is strictly for cultural, educational, or scientific purposes including Halema'uma'u (Kaluaopele)
• Filming of scene(s) disrespectful to the Hawaiian culture including the prodding of flowing lava.
• Landing of any non-official aircraft.
• Smoking in buildings, on trails or in vegetated areas.
• The closure of areas to the public for filming
• Gunfire, explosions, pyrotechnics or special effects, or fires.
• The filming of an activity in an area not normally designated for that activity.
• Use of vehicles off established roads and parking areas.
• Use of any foreign substance i.e. insecticides, herbicides and pesticides.

Please remember, it is the parkʻs responsibility to protect the natural, cultural, and recreational resources for which we are stewards of and responsible for. We cannot accommodate a project if it should include any of the above.

A request for permit may be denied if in the opinion of the Superintendent:

• There is a likelihood that resource damage or impairment of their value would occur that cannot be mitigated or restored.
• There is a likelihood of unreasonable disruption of or conflict with the public's use and enjoyment of the site(s) being requested.
• There is the likelihood that the activity poses health or safety risks to the public or crew.
• The requested activity will violate any other Federal, State, or local laws or regulations.
• Other activities are already planned or expected to occur at the same location.
• It involves access to areas normally designated closed or limited to administrative use for resource or safety reasons.
• The project includes portrayal of activities that aren't culturally appropriate or not permitted.

 

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Aerial Filming & Photography

All aerial filming and photography must comply with applicable provisions of the Special Federal Aviation Regulation 50-2. All contracted companies must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is prohibited.

 

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Eruption Filming

The current eruption of Kīlauea is a unique and dynamic process. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website provides daily updates, maps, and images of current eruptive conditions: https://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php.

Please note: Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park does not allow access to closed areas.

 

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Additional Filming Contacts

Interested in filming outside of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park jurisdiction? Please contact the State of Hawai'i film office: http://www.hawaiifilmoffice.com/

The State of Hawaiʻi film office assists with permits for State and County lands, location scouts, cast and crew, and more.

 

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Questions or Assistance

If you have questions, please contact:

Film Permit Coordinator
Phone: [phone]
Or email us.