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Special Use Permits, Commercial Permits & Overnight Reservations
Special Use Permits
Most special events and activities held within Olympic National Park require a Special Use Permit. These permits are issued and approved only after National Park Service staff determine that the activity will not impair park values, resources, and visitor experiences.
A Special Use Permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large and for activities that require some degree of management by the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest.
For information on Special Use Permits or to email in your application, please contact the Special Use Permit Coordinator at olym_permits@nps.gov or via phone at 360-565-3092. For Fee Waiver inquiries contact olym_permits@nps.gov or via phone at 360-565-3090. If you are unable to email your application, you may mail your completed application to:
Olympic National Park
Special Use Permit Office
600 E. Park Avenue Port Angeles, WA 98362
Activities and events that may require Special Use Permits include:
Wedding Ceremonies
Still Photography & Videography
Scattering of Ashes
First Amendment Activities
Miscellaneous
Permits for Weddings & Ceremonies
A permit is required for all wedding ceremonies held within Olympic National Park. Most ceremonies in the park are brief and simple; elaborate ceremonies do not work well in the park’s natural setting. Weather in the park is unpredictable. At higher elevations such as Hurricane Ridge, snow often remains on the ground well into June.
Weddings at Olympic National Park vary greatly from season to season. Location selection depends on group size, guest range of walking distance and ability levels, and desired scenic backdrop.
Please be specific with your location request. Provide a specific trail, viewpoint or other location you are interested in, if known. We can revise the final location upon discussion of your needs and desires.
Accessibility: there are several locations to meet accessibility needs, particularly roadside locations.
Federal buildings are not available for reservation.
Please include ALL participants in total group size (couple, officiant, photographer, witnesses, guests, etc...)
Wedding groups that number more than 5 people will need to apply for a permit.
Wedding groups of 5 people or less do not need to apply for a permit, but you may not be disruptive to other park visitors. We ask that you follow Leave No Trace principles.
All weddings conducted within designated wilderness must be of a total party size of 12 persons or less.
Any group larger than 12 persons shall request locations of front country areas; to include roadside locations, overlooks, and beaches. Most trails are managed as wilderness and are therefore restricted to groups of 12 persons or less. Exceptions include nature trails which are outlined in the map.
A maximum of 50 people is allowed for any wedding permit. This group size is only feasible at a few locations in the park (see map).
Weddings are permitted for a 2-hour timeframe. This includes associated photography and videography in the same general area of the wedding site (either before or after the ceremony).
Permits are issued to the wedding couple, not photographers, wedding planners or officiants.
Wedding permits do not include on-site reception. Setting up tables, chairs, food, etc... are not permitted at ceremony locations.
Decorations, amplified music, lights, generators and other equipment or props are generally not permitted.
All applications may be submitted up to one year prior to requested event. Applications are reviewed in order of receipt. Please submit your application at least 2 weeks in advance of the proposed event.
Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, they will work with you on conditions of your requested permit and provide you with a link to pay the $50 application fee.
Permit for Still Photography & Filming Activities
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 - the EXPLORE Act. 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.
For questions about when a permit may be required, the permit application process, and any associated fees, please contact olym_permits@nps.gov or write to Olympic National Park, attn: Fee Program, 600 East Park Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362
All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, scouting locations, monitoring, or otherwise supporting the filming activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit. As authorized by 54 U.S.C. § 103104 and in accordance with other applicable law and policy, the National Park Service will recover all costs of providing necessary services associated with this permit, including the costs of administering the permit and monitoring the permitted work or activities. The non-refundable application fee covers the initial processing of the application. Additional cost recovery fees associated with these permitted activities will not be waived.
Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met. The required amount of insurance will be determined by the potential risk to park resources and the complexity of activities.
General commercial liability insurance must be issued by a United States company. “United States Government” must be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the United States Government as “certificate holder” only are not acceptable.
All applications may be submitted up to one year prior to requested event. Applications are reviewed in order of receipt.
Permit to Scatter Ashes
Human ashes may be scattered in Olympic National Park with a permit.
Ceremonies may not impede the activities of other visitors. Outdoor areas will not be closed off during ceremonies and parking cannot be reserved.
Cremated remains must be pulverized and fully dispersed. Ashes may not be dispersed within 200 feet of any body of water, trail, roadside, or in a developed area.
No container, urn, flowers, or memorial markers may be left within park boundaries.
No remains may be spread at Hurricane Ridge or surrounding area.
All applications may be submitted up to one year prior to requested event. Applications are reviewed in order of receipt. Please submit your application at least 2 weeks in advance of the proposed event.
Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, they will work with you on conditions of your requested permit.
Permit for First Amendment Activities
Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are constitutional rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources.
First Amendment activities involving less than 25 people do not require a permit but are restricted to certain areas of the park. Examples of special events that require permits when more than 25 people are involved include but are not limited to: distribution/sale of printed matter, religious services, public demonstrations, assemblies or collecting signatures for petitions.
The following maps indicate designated areas within the park: Public Assembly Maps
Download the First Amendment Permit application for permits specifically related to First Amendment activities. For more information contact the park at (360) 565-3090 or c/o Olympic National Park 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Special Events and Miscellaneous Requests
Other activities may require permits if there is the potential for interference with visitor use, congestion of a highly visited area, or possible impact on park resources. For any such activities, download a Special Use Permit application. If you have any questions before sending your completed application, you may e-mail us or call us at 360-565-3090.
Commercial Use Authorizations or Non-Profit Operating Under a CUA
Commercial Use Authorizations - Authorization is required before conducting any form of commercial use activity in the park. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing. For more information and an application for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA), contact the Concessions Specialist.
Research Permits
A research permit is required before conducting any research within any National Park.The National Park Serivce has a nationally administered application portal: the Research Permit and Reporting System (RPRS). Prior to applying, we recommend you learn more about how to conduct research in National Parks and contact the park'sResearch Coordinatorfor park specific information. They can also help facilitate the application process.
Lodging Reservations
A variety of overnight accommodations are available within Olympic National Park by advance reservation.
Park-operated campgrounds
Kalaloch, Hoh, Mora, Fairholme, and Staircase campgrounds are the only park-operated campgrounds that accept reservations in the summer. Reservations are accepted for the summer peak season onlineatrecreation.govbeginning 6 months in advance. All campsites at these campgrounds are reservable during the peak season. Any unreserved or cancelled sites will be sold in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsites are first-come, first-served the rest of the year.
Concession-operated campgrounds
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort RV Park & Campground offers reservations for the summer season online atrecreation.gov.
Log Cabin Resort RV & Campground offers reservations by phone at (866) 405-8350
All other park campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Visit ourCamping webpagefor more information.
Wilderness Camping Reservations & Permits
For the most up to date information on how to obtain a Wilderness Backpacking Permit click here.
