Permits & Reservations

Point Reyes National Seashore requires visitors to obtain permits before participating in certain activities, such as backcountry camping, building beach fires, weddings or ceremonies, special events, and commercial filming and photography. Left unregulated, these activities could cause harmful impacts to the park's natural and/or cultural resources or to the enjoyment of the park by other visitors.

Following is a list of several, but not all, activities that require a permit, and appropriate contact information.

  • Research specimens collection: Contact the Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center at 415-464-5187.
  • Camping: Reservations may be made online at Recreation.gov. Reservations may also be made by phone by calling toll free 877-444-6777 (TDD: 877-833-6777). Contact the Bear Valley Backcountry Camping desk at 415-464-5100 x2 x5 if you have specific questions about the campgrounds or trails at Point Reyes National Seashore.
  • Beach fires: Check with visitor centers or field ranger for permits and restrictions.
  • Contact the Special Park Uses office at 415-464-5111 for the following:
    • Special Events including, but not limited, to weddings, sporting events, picnics in the reservable Bear Valley Group Picnic Area, and picnics with more than 100 persons.
    • First Amendment activities.
    • Commercial filming or photography.
    • Commercial Use Authorizations.

Top of Page

Prior to issuance of a Special Use Permit, we generally require the following:

Weddings/Ceremonies/Picnics (including the Bear Valley Group Picnic Area)

  1. A completed and signed application.
  2. Payment of an initial Application/Administrative Fee in the amount of $50.00 through pay.gov. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Special Events

  1. A completed and signed application.
  2. Payment of an initial Application/Administrative Fee through pay.gov. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  3. A Certificate of Insurance, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000.00, naming the "United States" (Department of the Interior, National Park Service) as additional insured.

Commercial Film/Photography

  1. A completed and signed application.
  2. Payment of an initial Application/Administrative Fee through pay.gov. This payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  3. Payment of an appropriate location fee through pay.gov.
  4. A Certificate of Insurance, in the minimum amount of $1,000,000.00, naming the "United States" (Department of the Interior, National Park Service) as additional insured.

Top of Page

Applications:

Please contact the Special Parks Uses office at 415-464-5111 for guidance on the appropriate application for your request.

Standard Event Permit Conditions (42 KB PDF)

Special Use Permit Application: Short Form (NPS Form 10-930s) (828 KB MS Word .docx)

Special Use Permit Application: Long Form (NPS Form 10-930) (828 KB MS Word .docx)

Commercial Filming/Still Photography Application: Short form (NPS Form 10-931) (831 KB MS Word .docx)

Commercial Filming/Still Photography Application: Long form (NPS Form 10-932) (845 KB MS Word .docx)

Top of Page

Last updated: March 23, 2020

Contact the Park

Mailing Address:

1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Phone:

415-464-5100
This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (i.e., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; weather forecast; fire danger information; shuttle bus system status; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc.), or speak with a ranger. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call.

Contact Us

Tools