PermitsCertain activities within all National Park Service (NPS) areas require a special use permit. This enables the National Park Service to ensure safety and monitor and regulate the use of parks while simultaneously conserving the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife within park boundaries. Filming and PhotographyYou generally do NOT need a permit for your personal filming and personal photography activities within normal visitation areas and hours. However, filming outside normal visitation locations and hours requires a permit. Please see the "Definitions and Requirements" section for more information. Drones (Unmanned Aircraft)Please be aware that launching, landing & operating drones on National Park Service lands is NOT permitted without written approval by the park superintendent (36 CFR 1.5). Additionally, it is not likely that the National Park Service would approve a drone request unless it is for an activity such as emergency search and rescue operations or for a park-sanctioned research or science project. Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)Section 418 of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998, Public Law 105-391, authorizes (but does not require) NPS, upon request, to issue commercial use authorizations to persons (referring to individuals, corporations, and other entities) to provide commercial services to park visitors in limited circumstances. CUAs, although used to authorize commercial services to park visitors, are NOT Concession Contracts. They are intended to provide a simple means to authorize suitable commercial services to visitors in the park in the limited circumstances in the legislation. Note that it is extremely uncommon for Morristown National Historical Park to issue a CUA. General National Park Service Information on Permitshttps://www.nps.gov/aboutus/doingbusinesswithus.htm Definitions & RequirementsSpecial ActivitiesA special activity, or special park use, is a short-term activity that takes place in a park area and:
Filming & Still Photography Permitshttps://www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/commercial-film-and-photo-permits.htm
Please note that Morristown National Historical Park no longer conducts calendar checks for grounds availability for portrait photography sessions. Use of the grounds for non-permit portrait photography sessions is on a first-come, first-served, non-exclusive basis, with the current visitor regulations applying. Some of the visitor regulations include:
We request that photographers NOT schedule more than two groups of clients (e.g., family groups) per day. This is to help maintain a more equitable use of the grounds. The grounds open at 8am and close at different times throughout the year, depending upon when the sun sets. Check our current grounds hours. First Amendment RightsGroups of less than 25 participants may exercise their First Amendment Rights without a permit. These small groups may assemble peacefully, however, they must be in a designated First Amendment area. These areas are designated to protect the safety of the participants, as well as park visitors and park resources. For a list of these locations, please see the Superintendent's Compendium. Costs and ProcessSpecial Park Use, Filming and Still Photography permit applications require a $75.00 non-refundable application fee. Other fees may apply as well. Information provided on applications is used to determine whether a permit will be issued. You will be notified of the disposition of the application and the steps to secure a final permit. |
Last updated: October 4, 2023