Special Use 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:

• 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. 
If your project does not meet all of the specifications, exceeds eight people, or does not fall under one of the exclusions, the Filming and Photography Special Use Permit application should be filled out and sent to:

Amistad National Recreation Area
Attn: Ranger Activities
10477 Highway 90 West
Del Rio, TX 78840

Amistad National Recreation Area is home to world-class fishing and hosts numerous tournaments each year. Most popular among the fishermen here are the bass. To learn more about the tournaments that have been or will be held on Lake Amistad or how to obtain an SUP and host one of your own, visit the Fishing Tournaments page.

Hunting with archery or shotgun is permitted in designated locations within the park with a Special Use Permit (often called a "Hunting Permit") in addition to the usual required documentation (hunting license, driver license, etc). The hunting year at Amistad National Recreation Area is limited to approximately the first day of dove season for the Central Zone through the last day of quail season each year. Because the park has more restrictive regulations than the standard State regulations, the park Hunting webpage is updated around late August with each year's SUP applications and park-specific hunting regulations. These regulations are in addition to State regulations for the year. For more information about hunting and applying for the SUP, visit the park Hunting page.

This Special Use Permit application covers all other potential park special uses that are not commercial operations. If you are uncertain if a permit is needed for your activity, please call Amistad National Recreation Area at (830) 309-5861 or (830) 775-7492, ext. 2202. Ranger Activities can also be contacted with questions via email. Otherwise, the completed SUP application should be sent to:

Amistad National Recreation Area
Attn: Ranger Activities
10477 Hwy 90 West
Del Rio, TX 78840