Special Use Permits

Which Redwood Destinations Are These Permits For?

It can be confusing to understand which destination has the redwood experience you are planning on getting a Special Use Permit for.

Redwood National and State Parks is a partnership of four parks. In addition to the national park - the three state parks in this partership are Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast State Park, and Prairie Creek State Park.

We are a six-hour drive north of San Fransisco, an eight-hour drive south of Portland, and 3-hours west of Redding. Our headquarters is in Crescent City, California. Be aware that Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Muir Woods are entirely different redwood places from us.
 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in having your activity in Redwood National and State Parks.

As a partnership of the National Park Service (NPS) and California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR), we must balance preserving the resources with allowing for a variety of visitor uses. While many types of activities - such as weddings, picnics, endurance rides, marathons, and commercial filming - are allowed in the park, several activities are prohibited.

There are standard conditions for a special use permit. Since each event is unique, the terms in your special permit may vary. All park regulations apply, so be sure to provide as much detail as possible about your event so we can be sure it is covered by your permit.

There may be fees depending on the type, or complexity of the permit you are requesting. Once you have submitted your permit application you will receive an e-mail with payment instructions. Processing of the permit application will not begin until payment is received.

The minumum time to request a pre-approved Special Use Permit that complies with all the requirements is 14 days. Other permits will require a 30-day lead.

When your application is under review we will look at multiple criteria. This includes whether or not there is a meaningful association between the parks and the event, what might be the impacts, and how the activity contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park.

 

Activities That Need A Special Use Permit

• Wedding Ceremonies
• Memorialization Ceremony (Scattering of Ashes)
• Equestrian Events
• Commercial Filming and Photography
• Student Filming and Photography
• Scientific Research
• Other Events (e.g. fishing contests, marathons, reunions, guided hikes).

 

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, and in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulation. People may exercise these rights in national parks, but the National Park Service still retains its responsibility to protect park resources and prevent impacts to park visitors.

A first amendment permit is not required for groups of 25 individuals, or less, conducting first amendment activities in the park’s designated first amendment areas.

There are several different first amendment areas designated in the park. Groups of 25, or more, or groups desiring to reserve designated areas in advance, require a permit. The fee for first amendment permits is waived.

Types of activities not considered first amendment include, but are not limited to:

• Church picnic or social gathering.
• Wedding ceremonies or receptions.
• Political fund raiser or other invitation-only political activity or event.
• Solicitation of donations.
• Community parades, athletics, or sporting events.
• Sale of message bearing clothing, arts and crafts, or similar merchandise.

 

Commercial Use Authorizations

These are required to do business in the park. Please directly contact the parks' permits coordinator.
(Contact information at the bottom of this page).

Redwood National & State Parks, in consultation with the regional CUA manager, will implement the Market Price Management Fee-based system for Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) holders beginning January 1, 2023.

The standard NPS market price gross receipts model will be used. A Market Price Management Fee will now be charged based upon a percentage of the gross receipts earned from business in Redwood National & State Parks. The non-refundable $200 application fee will remain the same.

As in the past, the application fee will be collected when the application is submitted. The Market Price Management Fee will be assessed and collected at the end of the season based on the mandatory CUA Annual Report (OMB 10-660). This fee may be paid via pay.gov.

The new fee structure will apply for all permit holders whose permits expire on or after January 1, 2023. When applying for a new permit after December 31, 2022, the application fee and the Market Price Management Fee will be charged.

 

Places Where Permits are Not Issued

All areas of Redwood National and State Parks can be applied for, but areas with higher visitation, like Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Stout Grove, Fern Canyon, and James Irvine Trail, are subject to time and size constraits during the peak summer season.

 

Restricted Activities

To protect the parks' rescources and to not interfere with other park visitors, there are several activities that will not be permitted. The following is just a partial list.

• Tree climbing
• Use of aerial drones
• Commerial operations without a permit
• Commercial operations without necesssary insurance

More information on Prohibited Activities

 

Contact Information

Please understand that we receive many permit requests and that applying early is important. There is no guarantee that every permit application will be approved.

Permit Coordinator
e-mail us
Ph (707) 465 - 7307