Special Use Permits
Jewel Cave National Monument offers special use permits for an assortment of gatherings and a variety of commercial activities. The purpose of these permits is to ensure the protection of the monument's natural and cultural resources, as well as to minimize conflicts between visitors and event guests.
Special use permits often include activities such as commercial filming, still photography, weddings, memorial services, special ceremonies, auto club rallies, organized tours, large group camps, and youth gatherings. It is important to note that special events differ from public assemblies and public meetings in that the latter activities are rights protected by the First Amendment. The authority for the management of special events in a National Park Service site can be found in Title 16, U.S. Code and Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, 2.50.
The following guidelines are established by the 2006 National Park Service Management Policies, as they relate to special event activities and gatherings in the monument, both on the surface and within the cave resource:
A special park use is a short-term activity that takes place within the monument and that:
- Provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large.
- Requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the NPS in order to protect park resources and the public interest.
- Is not prohibited by law or regulation.
- Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the NPS
- Is not managed under a concession contract.
Special use permits for special events will not be issued, if in the opinion of the Superintendent, the requested special event will:
- Cause personal injury or damage to park resources.
- Be contrary to the purposes for which the park was established, or unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural, or cultural locations within the monument.
- Unreasonably interfere with the interpretive efforts, visitor services, or other programs, or with administrative operations.
- Substantially impair the operation of public facilities or services of NPS partners, concessionaires, or contractors.
- Present a clear and present danger to public health and safety.
- Result in significant conflict with other existing uses.
Application Forms
Application for Special Use Permit (Short Form)
Application for Special Use Permit (Long Form - all others)
Application for Special Use Permit - Commercial Filming/Still Photography - Short Form
Application for Special Use Permit - Commercial Filming/Still Photography - Long Form
Processing Time and Fees
All special use permit applications will be handled in the order in which they are received. Standard requests are usually processed in 10 business days. Requests that involve multiple locations, complex logistics, and/or coordination with other NPS sites or large-scale visitor activities may require a minimum of four weeks to process. A minimum of four weeks is also required to process special use permits for projects or activities that need additional environmental compliance.
A non-refundable processing fee is required for all special use permits. Additional fees vary depending on the type of permit issued and will be charged if the permit is approved. For questions or additional information, please contact the Special Park Use Coordinator at (605) 673-8342.
Submission Process
Complete the appropriate special use permit form(s) above that complement the activities desired and mail the completed version(s) to the Special Park Use Coordinator at the address listed below. Be advised that each permit request requires a non-refundable processing fee; personal checks need to be made payable to the National Park Service and included with the permit submission.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Attn: Special Park Use Coordinator
11149 US Hwy 16
Building B12
Custer, South Dakota 57730
First Amendment Events and Activities
Freedom of speech, the press, religion, and assembly are rights, not privileges. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect legitimate government interests. Therefore, in order to protect the natural and cultural resources of the monument, the NPS may regulate certain aspects of First Amendment activities on-site, such as the time, place, and the manner in which they are conducted. It is the conduct associated with the exercise of these rights that is regulated and not the content of the message. For questions or additional information, please contact the Chief Ranger at (605) 673-8342.
Commercial Filming and Photography
Filming
What fees will I have to pay?
The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for all filming 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.
Jewel Cave National Monument collects a $50 Application Fee when processing the application.
In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. The National Park Service uses the following 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
Still Photography
When is a permit needed?
Still photographers require a permit only when the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; other activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or a park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.
What fees will I have to pay?
The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for film and still photography 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. The application fee must be submitted with your application.
Jewel Cave National Monument collects a $50 Application Fee when processing the application.
In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. 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?
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 propsed 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.
How to Apply
Download the form(s) here: Filming Application Short Form
Send completed Still Photography Applications to e-mail us or mail to:
Chief Ranger Office
11149 US Highway 16, BLDG. B12
Custer, SD 57730
For more information e-mail us or call 605-673-8342.
All applications must be received 10 days or greater prior to the start date of the proposed activity to be conducted in the park. The non-refundable application fee for commercial photography may be paid by check or money order payable to "National Park Service," or by calling 605-745-1151 to arrange for credit card payment.
Applications are handled in the order they are received. Priority will not be given to urgent requests nor will the park reply by express mail. Requests which involve filming inside the cave, multiple locations, complex logistics, environmental compliance, or coordination with multiple NPS divisions or visitor activities will require a minimum of 21 days to process.
Requests for permits are evaluated based on the information in the application. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to attach maps, description of activity, check in points, what support will be provided, etc. to assist the park staff in evaluating the request.
Application Processing
The $50 Application Fee will be collected over the phone by a debit or credit card upon reviewing and prcoessing the application.
Most requests should be processed within 14 days if the application is complete and without alteration, except for:
- Requests involving multiple locations, complex logistics, or coordination with other visitor activities will require a minimum of 21 days to process.
- Projects that require environmental or cultural resource evaluation must be submitted no less than 30 days before the start of proposed activities and may require additional time dependent upon project complexity.
- Your request will be evaluated based on the information in your application. If substantial staff resources are expended in the evaluation of the request, the applicant will be billed for the additional costs. In compliance with the requirements of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, applicants must submit their social security number or Federal Tax ID number when filling out the application for permit. Park managers will not sign location releases supplied by applicants.
For more information about commercial filming and still photography go to the Filming & Still Photography Permits page on the NPS website.
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Research Permits
For those wanting to conduct special research within Jewel Cave National Monument, a permit is required for all surface and sub-surface activities. For more information, contact the Chief of Resource Management at (605) 673-8308.
