Backcountry Permits
Permits are required for:
· individual overnight hiking & camping
· individual overnight horseback riding
· any group overnight hiking, camping or horseback riding
Information about our backcountry can be found on our camping page.
Purchase your wilderness backcountry permit online.
Special Use Permits
Saguaro National Park is home to many beautiful landscapes, which makes it a popular place for weddings and special events.
Obtain a permit for weddings, special events, First Amendment activities, and the scattering of human cremation ashes. *Scattering of all other ashes is prohibited.
Filming/ Photography Permits
- 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:
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Occurs in areas open to the public;
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Uses hand-carried equipment only;
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Does not require exclusive use of a site;
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Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
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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. 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.
Scientific Research Permits
All studies in Saguaro National Park, large or small, must have their own Research & Collecting Permit.
Obtain a permit. Proposal and review processes require approximately 90 days.
Commercial Use Authorizations
A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area.
Obtain a permit and learn how Saguaro National Park authorizes a variety of commercial services: day hiking, backpacking, day equestrian rides, overnight pack trips, road bike tours and mountain bike tours.
