Permits & Reservations

Permits

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations.The National Park Service may require a permit for certain activities to occur in Amache National Historic Site. Most special events and activities held in the park require a special use permit, issued only after the National Park Service determines that the activities involved will not impair park values and resources. Application packets, which consist of the application, non-refundable application fee (if applicable), and liability insurance (if needed), must be received at the park a minimum of 20 business days before the requested permit date or your permit request can be denied. Complex uses or activities may need additional time, however, applications will not be accepted more than one year before your event. Please note that there are usage limits for the number of people and vehicles for any special activity. Learn more about the types of permits and requirements below.

Filming and Still Photography

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.

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.

Please visit the NPS Filming & Photography site for up-to-date information.

Application for Filming Permits

For your request to be considered, please download and fill out the special use permit application to go along with your non-refundable application fee. All film and photography permit applications require a one hundred dollar ($100.00), non-refundable fee that does not guarantee permit approval. Other potential charges include, but are not limited to monitoring by rangers, clean-up and site restoration, and recovery of administrative costs. You may also be required to post a performance bond.

Filming, photography, and sound recording permits are considered in the order they are received. Allow 2 to 4 weeks (depending on project type and the volume of requests) to process an application and issue a permit.

Email or Mail completed applications to:
Special Use Permits Coordinator
Amache National Historic Site
PO Box 44
Granada, CO 81041

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.

It is the policy of the National Park Service (NPS) to allow special uses that are not in conflict with law or policy; will not result in derogation of the values and purposes for which the park was established; do not present a threat to public safety or property and do not unduly interfere with normal park operations, resource protection, or visitor use.

The park has the authority and responsibility to evaluate applicant requests, permit, manage, and/or deny all special uses within the park. Therefore, before any permit will be granted, consideration will be given to potential park resource impacts, as well as impacts to visitor use, access to park sites, or park administration. There are cost recovery fees associated with the administration and management of special use permits for costs incurred by the park. Special park use guidelines state that “it is the policy of the NPS to charge permit fees for special uses. Permit fees should reflect the fair market value of a benefit provided the permittee. The fair market value of a special use is the value of the lands or facilities used and the NPS cost incurred in managing, facilitating, or supporting the use.”

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

• Provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large;
• 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;
• Is not prohibited by law or regulation; 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.

The Permit Process

Download and return specific permit application, along with appropriate non-refundable fee, when required.Please allow a fourteen day minimum for consideration of your permit request; first amendment requests allow two business days. The permit coordinator will work with you to create the permit. Read all conditions, guidelines and restrictions.

For additional information, email us.

Application for Special Use Permits

For your request to be considered, please print and comple one of the forms below and mail or fax it to the park along with the appropriate application fee. Other potential charges include, but are not limited to monitoring by Rangers, clean-up and site restoration, and recovery of administrative costs. You may also be required to post a performance bond.

Please include detailed information in the application about the proposed event to help speed the processing of your request. All applications, except for First Amendment activities, require one hundred dollar ($100.00), non-refundable fee that does not guarantee permit approval.

Please allow a fourteen day minimum for consideration of your permit request; first amendment requests allow two business days.

You can download the Special Use Permit application here

Email or Mail completed applications to:
Special Use Permits Coordinator
Amache National Historic Site
PO Box 44
Granada, CO 81041

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

Groups of 25 or more, groups desiring to reserve designated areas in advance, groups wanting to use a sound system, stage, chairs, etc., or groups soliciting donations require a permit. This list is not exhaustive, please email the park to determine if your group's first amendment activities require a permit.

Research Permits

A permit is required for scientific research in the park. Permits can be obtained through the NPS Research Permit and Reporting website