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Special Use Permits
In order to coordinate special park use events it is necessary to require permits for certain activities. The Special Use Permit (SUP) program authorizes activities that provide benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large; and that require written authorization and some degree of management control in order to protect park resources and the public interest. These activities include, but are not limited to:
- Display of commercial notices or advertisements
- Sale or distribution of printed matter
- Special events
- Public assemblies, including first amendment right activities
- Possession of alcoholic beverages on park property
- Operating a public address system or other sound amplified audio devices
- Non-commercial soliciting
- Weddings
To protect the resources and preserve the purpose of the park, permits are also necessary for the following activities:
- Some filming and photography (Learn more)
- Collection of research specimens and conduction of scientific research
- Entering closed areas of the park
- Construction projects conducted on or over park property
- Requests for events or services not offered to the general public
Permit Types
Park permits require two weeks notice. Please find the permit below that suits your needs:
Special Use Permits (General Application)
You must submit a completed application along with the application fee. This application does not serve as permission to conduct any special use activity in the park. If your request is approved, a permit containing applicable terms and conditions will be sent you. The permit must be signed by the responsible person and returned to the park for final approval by the Park Superintendent before the permitted activity may begin.
Obtain a Special Use Permit General Application.
Scattering of Cremation Ashes
Please download the Scattering of Cremation Ashes letter in order to scatter ashes from human cremains in C&O Canal National Historical Park. There are specific rules and conditions outlined in the letter that are required of all ash scattering requests. There is no fee for the scattering of ashes, but for the permit letter to be valid, you must report in advance your intention to conduct this activity. In turn you will be given a permit number to which should be recorded on the bottom right on the permit letter.
First Amendment Permits
Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. People may exercise these rights in national parks, but the National Park Service still retains its responsibility to protect park resources and prevent conflict among park visitors. Therefore, the National Park Service establishes guidelines for setting the time, place and manner (number of participants, use of facilities and type of equipment) for the events to occur.
Learn more about First Amendment Activities.
Research Permits
A Scientific Research and Collecting Permit is required for most scientific activities pertaining to natural resources or social science studies in National Park System areas that involve fieldwork, specimen collection, and/or have the potential to disturb resources or visitors.
Learn more about Research and Collecting Permits.
Filming & Photography
When do I need a filming or photography permit?
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.
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.
If you are uncertain whether your project requires a permit or not, contact the Permits Office for additional information. If you already know that your project does not require a permit, you can contact the office to check the schedule and avoid conflicts with other activities.
Learn more about film and photography permits.
Permits for Montgomery County, MD and Washington, DC
Permits for first amendment rights demonstrations, special events, and/or filming and photography that take place in Montgomery County, MD and Washington, DC are required by C.F.R., Title 36, Chapter 1, Section 7.96 to be processed through the National Capital Region Park Programs Division.
For C&O Canal NHP, any event that takes place between Georgetown (Mile Marker 0) and the Monocacy Aqueduct (Mile Marker 42) requires a regional permit. To obtain a Regional Office Permits application and additional information, contact the NCR Park Programs Division office.
Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)
A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is required for businesses to conduct commercial activities within C&O Canal NHP. Businesses that bring visitors into the park who provide a product or service in exchange for payment of said services require a CUA. Examples of typical commercial operations within the park include, but are not limited to, rock climbing instruction at the Carderock climbing area, access to the Potomac River through C&O Canal NHP, bike tours utilizing the park's historic towpath, horseback riding tours in authorized areas, and shuttle services utilizing C&O Canal NHP parking lots.
Obtain Commercial Use Application, CUA Monthly Report Form, and CUA Annual Report Form.
Impairment
The National Park Service is directed to conserve park resources "unimpaired" for the enjoyment of future generations. Therefore, any activities that would cause derogation of or detract from the values and purposes for which a park has been established cannot be allowed.
Permit Fees & Cost Recovery
Federal Law authorizes the National Park Service to recover costs associated with special use permits. Cost recovery for permit issuance is done in accordance with 54 USC 103104 and National Park Service policies for special park uses. As directed by Congress, the National Park Service collects a fee to recover the cost of administering permits. Recoverable fees are charged for permits as described in 16 U.S.C. 3a, 31 U.S.C. 9701, and National Park Service Guidelines for Special Park Uses. The following charges are established for special use permits for C&O Canal National Historical Park.
- An Application Charge must accompany the application for a permit. This charge covers the costs involved in analyzing and processing the request for an application including secretarial, printing, mailing costs and the administrative charge. This is a non-refundable fee that must be remitted with the completed application.
- Special Use Permit application fee - $200.00
- Commercial Use Authorization application fee - $300.00
Insurance Requirements
C&O Canal requires all permittees to obtain a certificate of insurance for general liability. The National Park Service must be listed as additional insured in the certificate of insurance. Commercial Use Authorization permittees are additionally required to have automotive insurance and worker's compensation. Please contact the park's permit office for amounts of insurance required for your permit.
Paying Permit Application Fees Online by Credit Card
Permit fees, including permit monitoring and film location fees, can now be paid by credit card. (Check or money orders are still accepted.) Paying by credit card offers the advantage of convenience and speed, and also makes it simpler to complete a reimbursement should one be necessary.
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Contact C&O Canal Permits Office
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Access Pay.gov website
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At the top of the page in the search box enter "canal" and click on the search function.
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Choose from one of the three application forms, (1) C&O Canal Commercial Filming, (2) C&O Canal Commercial Use Authorization, or (3) C&O Canal Special Use Permits.
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Enter information in the corresponding data fields. To enter the required information in the first block, you will first need to obtain that information from the Park Permits Office. The information format for this data field will be two numbers followed by a dash, and then followed by three more numbers. An example of the data field format is:"20-123".
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The rest of the data fields to be completed are self-explanatory. Once you have entered all the information in the data fields, click on the appropriate fee type(s) which appear near the bottom of the page.
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At the bottom of the page will show the total amount due. Once you have entered information in all required data fields, click the gray "Continue" box. You will then be taken to a second page and asked to enter your credit card payment information.
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