Permits & Reservations

Special Use Permits

Special events are activities, such as organized group events, rallies, walks, runs, and other events, which benefit an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large. All Special Event Applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Regulations authorize the conducting of special events provided:

• There is a meaningful association between the park and the event;

• The observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park; and
• A permit has been issued by the superintendent.

The NPS will not permit the public staging of special events that are conducted primarily for the material or financial benefit of the organizers or participants, or which involve commercialization, in-park advertising or publicity.

A special use permit often requires general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 and more, depending on the activity. The insurance and the permittee indemnify the park from liability, injury, or damages resulting from the actions or inaction of the permittee.

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

Special Use Permit Application

Follow this link to download the Speical Use Permit Application (Word doc)

 

Filming

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.

Key elements of the new law include:

• 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:
  • Occurs in areas open to the public;
  • Uses hand-carried equipment only;
  • Does not require exclusive use of a site;
  • Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
  • Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
• 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 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.

Filming, Still Photography, Audio Recording Permit Application:

Follow this link to download the Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording Permit Application (Word doc).

More Information

More details about filming and permits in parks are available online: Filming & Still Photography Permits (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

You may also contact the park directly for additional information or permit applications.

 

Filming & Photography Permit Questions & Answers

When do you need a permit to film in parks?

Under federal law, all commercial filming that occurs within a unit of the National Park System requires a permit. 423 units make up the National Park System, and includes National Parks, National Monuments, National Preserves, National Battlefield Parks, and more. A full list of parks in the National Park System is available online: National Park System (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) 

If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, you should submit a completed application to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible. 

 

Education Permits

An Education Permit is needed for school groups of 20 or more students when visiting the park. A ranger can be provided at no charge to present a formal education program that best suits the particular needs of the school group. For all school group tours, please inform us at least two weeks in advance if requesting a ranger guided tour for your students. You can reach our education coordinator at (870) 777- 4455.