National Parks have specific spaces for certain activities. The designated 1st Amendment space at Paterson Great Falls NHP is the north side of the Overlook Parking Lot (indicated by red outline) at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson NJ 07501. See below for further details.
Map courtesy Google Earth
Permits
Certain 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.
The decision to require a permit rests with the park superintendent based on potential impacts to park resources or the visitor experience. Please do not submit an application and the required $75.00 processing fee before emailing the Permit Coordinator to discuss your desired activity. It's possible that we might not be able to honor your request, and/or your desired date/time/location is already taken.
Filming and Photography
You 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 note that individual parks may require a permit for non-commercial filming if necessary to manage the activity, to protect park resources and values, minimize conflict between user groups, or to ensure public safety.
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 Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to issue a CUA.
General National Park Service Information on Permits
"The National Park Service...shall promote and regulate the use of ... national parks ... [its] purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." (16 U.S.C. 1) It is the policy of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to allow special events when and where possible, while adhering to this mandate. Primary consideration will be given to potential resource damage and to anticipated disruption of normal public use.
A special activity, or special park use, is a short-term activity that takes place in a park area and:
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 to protect park resources and the public interest.
Is not prohibited by law or regulation.
Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the National Park Service.
A permit issued by the superintendent is required. National Park Service (NPS) regulations authorize the conducting of special events provided:
There is a meaningful association between the park area and the event;
The observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park, and
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.
A request for a special event permit may be denied if in the opinion of the superintendent, the special event will:
Create an unacceptable impact on park resources or values; or
Are contrary to the purposes for which the park was established, or
Unreasonably disrupt the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural, historic, or commemorative locations within the park; or
Unreasonably interfere with the interpretive programs, visitor activities, visitor services, or with the administrative activities of the NPS; or
Substantially interfere with the operation of public facilities/services of NPS concessioners or contractors; or
Create an unsafe or unhealthy environment for visitors or employees; or
Result in conflict with other existing uses.
Please Note: Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park may not be issuing permits for small weddings and wedding photos. For further information on filming and photography in the park, see the “Filming & Still Photography Permits” section below.
Please carefully review the information found at the link immediately above for the current National Park Service guidance regarding filming and still photography permits. After you have reviewed the information, please contact the Permit Coordinator with any questions you have regarding filming and still photography at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.
Portrait photography sessions (e.g., engagement, maternity, baby, family, anniversary, etc. photos) generally do not require a permit. See the link above and scroll to “Still Photography” to learn when a permit is needed.
Still photographers are required to have a permit only when:
The activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed. OR
The 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 (NOTE: Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park considers blankets and small, hand-held signs acceptable). OR
The park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.
*A “model” means a person or object that serves as the subject for still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Models include, but are not limited to, individuals, animals, or inanimate objects, such as vehicles, boats, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products. Portrait subjects, such as wedding parties and high school graduates, are not considered models.
Please note that Paterson Great Falls 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:
No littering, including throwing rice, flower petals, or confetti of any kind (e.g., biodegradable paper, plastic, glitter, etc.)
Do NOT move any of the outdoor furniture (e.g., benches) or any other moveable features.
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. Please be aware that since the waterfall is not illuminated, it is adviseable to take pictures after sunrise and before sunset. The best time to visit to avoid crowds is early in the morning on weekdays.
Commercial Filming Permits
"Commercial filming" means the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, and documentaries. Commercial filming may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props.
Federal law requires a permit for all commercial filming, no matter the size of the crew or the type of equipment. This includes individuals or small groups that don’t use much equipment, but generate revenue by posting footage on websites, such as YouTube and TikTok. The primary focus of the NPS, however, is on commercial filming that has the potential to impact park resources and visitors beyond what occurs from normal visitor use of park areas. Examples of this type of filming are productions that use substantial equipment such as sets and lighting, productions with crews that exceed 5 people, and filming in closed areas, wilderness areas, or in locations that would create conflicts with other visitors or harm sensitive resources.
All filmers, no matter the size, must comply with all rules that apply in park areas, just like other visitors.
Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for commercial filming and still photography activities that require a permit. 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 the permitted activities. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of the permitted activities. The application fee must be submitted with your application.
In addition, Federal law also requires the National Park Service to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for commercial filming and for still photography requires a permit. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedules for filming and photography:
Commercial Filming
1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day
1–10 people - $150/day
11–30 people - $250/day
31–49 people - $500/day
Over 50 people - $750/day
Commercial Still Photography
1–10 people - $50/day
11–30 people - $150/day
Over 30 people - $250/day
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 proposed 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.
Permits issued for non-commercialfilming/photography may be subject to cost recovery charges, including an application fee, but a separate location fee will not be charged.
Costs and Process
If you require a permit, you must first submit a permit application. Special Park Use, Filming and Still Photography permit applications require a $75.00 non-refundable application fee and is required before the application can be considered. 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. Please allow a minimum of four weeks for processing.
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 proposed 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.
First Amendment Rights
Groups with fewer 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. The map at the top of the page is an areial view identifying the park's freedom of speech area.
Groups larger than 25 participants may still exercise their rights, however, a permit with conditions will be required. There are no fees or cost recovery associated with permits issued for First Amendment assemblies. Conditions are required to protect the participants as well as park visitors and park resources. In no way will conditions be imposed to restrict the rights of the permit holder. The National Park Service is content-neutral regarding any First Amendment Activity.
If you would like to learn how to submit a request for a group tour of the park, or have a staff member visit your group offsite, please visit our Program Reservation page.
If you are an educator, and would like to learn more about our field trip tours and classroom programs, please visit our Education page.
