Special Use Permits and Reservations

Fishing

Except as provided below, fishing shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of Kansas (36CFR2.3).

• Kansas residents age 16 through 74 must possess a valid Kansas fishing license.
• All non-residents 16 and older must possess a valid non-resident license at all times to fish in Kansas.
• Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism provides a downloadable Fishing Regulations Summary.
• Our Fishing page contains more information on locations, regulations, and restrictions within the preserve.

Research Permits

• Research Permits - for scientific and collecting activities - follow this link to register for a research permit at the preserve.

Reservations

• No advance reservations are needed to visit the preserve.
• Ranger-led Group and School Tours need scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
• Bus tours are cancelled until further notice.

 

Special Use Permits

Certain types of activities require a special use permit. These include many types of organized gatherings, distribution of printed material and other public expressions of opinion, and other activities that are controlled or prohibited. See the following definitions and examples to determine if your use might be included.

A special park use is defined as a short-term activity that takes place in a park area, and that:

1. provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization rather than the public at large;
2. requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service (NPS) in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
3. is not prohibited by law or regulation
4. is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the NPS; and is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.

Examples include: weddings, other ceremonies, scattering of human cremains, or public assemblies, etc.

Examples of a First-Amendment Activity include: a church service or Freedom-of-Speech activity

Special Use Permits

Special uses require a permit. Primary consideration will be given to potential resource damage and to anticipated disruption of normal public use. Park staff will help ensure that your event runs smoothly and without interfering with park operations, resource protection, or the public's enjoyment of the park. For more information about special use permits, contact the Chief of Interpretation at [phone]. Permit applications, certificates of insurance, and correspondence may be faxed to [phone]. Please follow the link below to learn how to apply for a permit.

• How to Apply for a Special Use Permit

• Special use permit application (Word document, 835 KB). Download, print, and complete the form to apply for a special use permit. Mail the completed application to the address found at the top of the form.
  
  * Check Cashing Notice -please download this Word document (14KB)

Special events, group gatherings, First Amendment activities, and weddings

Sporting events, festivals, concerts, weddings, cultural programs, First Amendment activities, and group gatherings for social and community events are examples of special uses that require permits. All weddings and ceremonies require permits, regardless of the group size. Weddings at the preserve are authorized only at the Lower Fox Creek Schoolhouse, as it was once a community building and a wedding could have conceivably been performed. To preserve the building, a set of rules (including maximum participants) has been established for resource protection.

• Please review the Wedding Permit Rules and determine if they are compatible with your event plans.

 

The grassy area northeast of the visitor center is used for all First Amendment activities.

Courtesy of Google Maps

The image shows the grassy area northeast of the visitor center used for all First Amendment activities.

 

Bronze colored tallgrass prairie grasses in the fall with shadows coming across the hills.

NPS Photo

Commercial Filming Permits on Park Land

Effective October 28, 2022, the National Park Service rescinded interim guidance that was in place during litigation regarding commercial filming and has returned to longstanding laws and regulations governing commercial filming in parks. Questions and answers about filming and photography are provided below.

Do I Need a Permit to Film?

Under federal law, all commercial filming that occurs within a unit of the National Park System requires a permit.

What is Considered Commercial Filming?

"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.

Does Commercial Filming by Individuals or Small Groups Require a Permit?

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.

The National Park Service manages and protects more than 67 million acres of park lands and waters as wilderness areas. These areas have additional laws and policies to preserve their wilderness character for future generations. Filming activities in wilderness areas must follow all applicable laws and regulations that govern wilderness areas in the park, including prohibitions on structures, installations, motor vehicles, mechanical transport, motorized equipment, motorboats, or landing of aircrafts.

Except for casual filming by visitors, special use permits for filming are required for all filming activities in wilderness areas, no matter the group size or equipment used.

Does Non-Commercial Filming Require a Permit?

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. Examples of non-commercial filming include, but are not limited to, filming for tourism bureaus, convention and visitor bureaus, student filming, and filming for personal use and enjoyment. If you have questions about whether a non-commercial film project requires a permit, please contact the park where you intend to film in advance.

In most cases, a permit is not necessary for visitors filming for personal enjoyment.

Still Photography

When is a Permit Needed?

In most cases, still photography does not require a permit.

A permit is required for still photography only when:

1. the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or

2. 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; or

3. the National Park Service 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.

Application for Still Photography - (Word Document, 835 KB) Download, print, complete and return to the address on the form if your activity meets any of the above criteria.

What Fees Will I Have to Pay for a Permit?

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

Still Photography

• 1–10 people - $50/day

• 11–30 people - $150/day

• Over 30 people - $250/day

Permits issued for non-commercial filming may be subject to cost recovery charges, including an application fee, but a separate location fee will not be charged.

Are There Other Permit Requirements?

You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve 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.

What Terms and Conditions Will the Permits Have?

Filming and photography permits will contain terms and conditions that are necessary to protect park resources and visitors. They will specify the location and time of the activity and the number of personnel and equipment that may be used. The permits also may require you 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 also may be required to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

What About Photography Workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.