Commercial film crew at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. Scroll down for complete information about filming, photography, and audio recording in the park.
NPS / Tom Engberg
Special Use Permits
Please contact the park to inquire about permits for special events or groups (1st Amendment Activities, groups of 25 or more, etc). Scroll down for complete information about filming, photography, and audio recording in the park.
The Stars & Stripes flying high on the flagpole at the park.
NPS / Tom Engberg
First Amendment Free Speech Area
For information about the park's First Amendment Free Speech Area and whether or not groups need a permit to assemble in the designated free speech area, please contact us.
Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording
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 this 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 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. William Howard Taft NHS does not have entrance or recreation fees.
For media queries about NPS implementation of the EXPLORE Act, please email us.
For specific questions about filming, photography, and audio recording in William Howard Taft NHS, please contact us.
