Permits & Reservations

Reservations

Reservations are recommended for groups of 10 or more with at least 10 days advance notice. We are not able to accommodate ranger-led tours of 90 or more. To make a reservation, contact us by phone at 785-354-4273, or use the contact form below.
Please include the following information in your message. Requests with missing information cannot be accommodated.

• Group Name
• Number of visitors in group
• Purpose of visit
• Date/Time preferred
• Contact Phone Number
• Contact eMail address
• Accommodation concerns

Reservation Request

Permits

Special Park Use Permits

Permits are required for groups or individuals who are interested in using the park for special events, meeting space, or special use of building space. Fees may be required for permits, including a $45 application fee. Application fees do not apply for request of use in an exercise of a First Amendment right, see below. Please contact us by phone at 785-354-4273, or download and complete the Special Use Permit Application (PDF 687kb).

Permits will NOT be issued for the date of May 17, as it is the anniversary of the decision.
Permits will also not be issued from Sept. 10th through Sept. 30th. Permits can be issued for these dates, and applications received during this window will be reviewed, however approvals will not be issued during these dates.

Due to the sensitivity of information required on the application, please e-mail or call the Special Use Coordinator at 785-354-4273 for instructions to submit your application.

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are constitutional rights. However, federal regulations recognize that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably managed to protect park resources. The authority to manage these activities is 36 CFR §2.51 and 2.52. The tool used to manage these activities is a Special Use Permit. First Amendment activities include, but are not limited to:

• Public demonstrations, picketing, speechmaking, marching, holding vigils, etc.
• Religious services
• Distribution and/or sale of printed matter or other message bearing items that are related to the above activities and are not solely commercial in nature

The necessity to obtain a permit to conduct First Amendment activities is determined by the group size and/or location of the proposed activity.

Groups of 25 People or Less

A small group, which is defined by 36 CFR §2.51(b)(1) as a group of “25 people or less,” is not required to obtain a Special Use Permit for First Amendment activity if they are located within a park designated First Amendment location (see below). A permit is required for any group that:

• Wishes to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside of a designated First Amendment area
• Wishes to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc.) even if it is within a designated area
• Is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25 person small group permit exception
• Wishes to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas

Larger Groups

A group of more than 25 people is required to obtain a Special Use Permit for First Amendment activities even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.

There are no cost recovery fees associated with First Amendment permits.
First Amendment Special Use Permit.(PDF 794kb)

Per regulation, Special Use Permits for First Amendment activity may be issued for a maximum of 14 consecutive days [36 CFR §2.51(i)(1) and §2.52(h)(1)]. A permit may be extended for up to 14 days, but a new application must be submitted for each extension requested [36 CFR §2.51(i)(2) and §2.52(h)(2)].

For more information and a map of the Designated Available Park Area, please see the Demonstrations and Designated Available Park Areas section of the Superintendent's Compendium.