Permits & Reservations

Basic Permit Information

A permit is required to conduct activities including, but not limited to:

• Organized recreational events
• Ceremonies
• Public assemblies/meetings/gatherings/demonstrations/parades/etc. by groups of more than 25 people
• Sale or distribution of printed material (not solely advertising) by groups of more than 25 people
• Memorialization
• Business operations

For more detailed information, see the park Superintendent’s Compendium or 36 CFR Sections 2.50, 2.51, or 2.52 . You can also contact the park's Special Use Permit Office.

Current National Park Service policy states that “A permittee may not collect admission, parking, or any other monies associated with a special event on park property.” All permittee monetary transactions must take place outside the park.”

Check out the link below for more information about permits for filming and still photography in the National Park Service.

 

Filming & Still Photography Permits Information

For more information on photography and filming at Manassas NBP, click on the drop-down arrow below.

 

Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recordings

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 primitive 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.

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234). Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming and photography in park areas.

Key elements of the new law include:

• In most cases, permits and fees are not required for groups of eight individuals or less conducting filming and photography. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming or photography must:
  • (1) occur in areas open to the public;
  • (2) use hand-carried equipment only;
  • (3) not require exclusive use of a site; and
  • (4) not adversely impact park resources, values, and other visitors.
• Permits and fees are never required for filming and photography that is associated with a permitted event, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
• All filming and photography is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is personal use, student use, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
• When a permit is required, the National Park Service may charge application and location fees.
• Individuals and groups exempt from permit and fee requirements for filming or photography remain subject to all other laws and regulations that apply in park areas, including those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to resources.

Please contact the park you are visiting for more information about filming and photography in that park.

 

Obtaining a Permit

Applying for a Permit

Persons interested in applying for a permit should contact the permit office by email. They can answer questions and provide the application form if required. Alternatively, application forms are available as PDF documents at the bottom of the page for your convenience. A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required. Payment can be made by check or money order made out to National Park Service. Allow at least three weeks for the review and approval process.

Cost Recovery

Applicants are required to pay any administrative costs associated with the application's review and possible issuance of a permit. These costs will be billed before the issuance of a permit, and must be paid even if a permit is not issued.

Other costs may be incurred by the National Park Service due to a permitted event, including- charges for monitoring the event, traffic and parking control, and other associated costs. A Special Use Permit will include an estimate of these costs and the permittee will be billed for these services after the event. Permit holders must supply all equipment required for their event.

For More Information

Any questions regarding special use permits should be directed to the park's permit office

School Visits and Staff Rides

School field trips and staff rides do not require permits. Teachers should visit the park's education landing page for information on setting up a school field trip to the battlefield.

Groups interested in setting up a staff ride at Manassas NBP, please send us an email.

 

Special Use Permit Forms

If you're interested in filing for a Special Use Permit please download the following PDF that best corresponds with your requested activity, fill out the form, and email or mail the document to us:

• NPS-10-930 Application for Special Use Permit (PDF)
  • This form is for most generic special park uses, to include (but are not limited to) sporting events, ceremonies, public spectator attractions, entertainment, pageants.

• NPS-10-932 Application for Special Use Permit (Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording) (PDF)

  • This form is only for filming, still photography, or audio recording that does NOT fit under the classifications of the EXPLORE Act 2024 (Public Law 118-234).

    1. A permit or assessment of fee for filming or still photography activity is not required by groups of eight individuals or less, provided the following conditions are met: (a.) The activity occurs in an area open to the public; (b.) The activity does not require the exclusive use of a site or area; (c.) The activity does not involve a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment, such as a tripod, monopod, or handheld lighting equipment; and (d.) The activity meets all the other requirements in the new law for permit and fee exemptions, in the professional judgment of the NPS.

    2. A permit or assessment of fee for filming or still photography activity is not required if: conducted by an individual or group of individuals affiliated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written authorization, such as a special use permit for a special event (36 CFR 2.50) or demonstration (36 CFR 2.51). Parks may include terms and conditions about filming or still photography activity in the written authorization for the related activity or event if necessary, according to the standards for establishing other terms and conditions (e.g., see 36 CFR 2.50(d)).

    3. A permit and assessment of fee for filming or still photography activity may be required if stated activity does not meet the criteria in items 1 and 2 above, except that parks may decide not to require a permit for groups of more than eight individuals if all of the other conditions in item 1 are met.

• NPS-10-934 Application for Special Use Permit (Demonstrations and Distrobution of Materials)
  • This form is for any demonstration and event with the purpose of distributing materials to the public. This category is defined to include (but are not limited to) demonstrations, speechmaking, marching, religious services, distribution of printed matter.
    • A small group of 25 people or less (36 CFR 2.51(b)) in most cases is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within a park designated First Amendment site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or handheld signs.
    • A group of more than 25 people is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.
      • First Amendment Areas are defined in the Manassas National Battlefield Park Superintendent's Compendium.

When complete, email or mail the document to:

Email: [e-mail]

Mail: ATTN: Special Use Permits Office
12521 Lee Highway
Manassas, VA 20109