Commercial film crew at Mound City Group. Scroll down for complete information about filming, photography, and audio recording in the park.
NPS / T. Engberg
Special Use Permits
Please contact the park to inquire about permits for special events or groups (1st Amendment Activities, groups of 25 or more, etc). Please do not send requests for reserving shelter houses or picnic tables. Scroll down for more information. Scroll down for complete information about filming, photography, and audio recording in the park.
Shelters & Picnic Tables
All shelters and picnic tables at all park sites are first-come, first-serve. We do not take reservations for any shelter or picnic table. If you have questions, please feel free to Contact Us. Please be mindful that guests in the shelter houses are not permitted to erect any signs, balloons, or other displays. Additionally, any kind of fire (including charcoal and gas grilling) are NOT permitted in the shelter houses or on any park grounds at any time.
The Stars & Stripes flying high on the flagpole at the Mound City Group visitor center.
NPS / Tom Engberg
First Amendment Free Speech Area
Visit the park's First Amendment Free Speech Area page for a detailed map of the free speech area, information about the use of the free speech area and whether or not groups need a permit to assemble in the designated free speech area.
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.
Key elements of this 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 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.
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. Hopewell Culture NHP does not have entrance or recreation fees.
For media queries about NPS implementation of the EXPLORE Act, please email us.
For specific questions about filming, photography, and audio recording in Hopewell Culture NHP, please contact us.
