Filming & Still Photography 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 EXPLORE Act (January 2025). 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 park 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.

• Press news gathering never requires a permit but is subject to restrictions and conditions necessary to protect park resources, public health and safety and to prevent impairment or derogation of park resources, values or purposes.

How do I apply for a permit and when?

If, after reviewing the information above, you have determined that your film, photography, or audio recording project needs a permit or are unsure, please email the Special Permit Coordinator at the email address below.

Ideally, allow up to four weeks in advance of your activity for the application, review, and permit process.

1. Application for Photography/Filming Permit:
   • Filming/Still Photography application (5 or fewer crew members, minimal equipment)
   • Filming/Still Photography application (6+ crew members or substantial equipment needs)
2. A non-refundable application and administrative fee of $200. After an initial review of your application, the park coordinator will provide information on how to make a payment using pay.gov.
3. Proof of general liability insurance may be required naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. The policy must be issued by a United States company. The “United States of America, Denali National Park and Preserve, PO Box 9, Denali Park AK 99755” should be listed as an “additional insured”. The minimum required insurance amount for liability for most video or film production companies is $500,000. For larger productions or more than three people, it is minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence.

What are other potential costs for the permit?

Monitoring Fee

Filming activities authorized by permit may be supervised by an NPS employee to assure full compliance with all terms of the permit. In operations involving few people and minimal equipment or, taking place where there is little possibility of damage or violation of other permit requirements or, inconvenience to the visitor, filming activities will be spot monitored to assure compliance. The level and type of supervision will be based on the extent and complexity of filming activities. A minimum $150 fee is charged for this monitoring (one employee for up to three hours or less). The monitoring fee will not exceed $400 per day (a day consists of a maximum of eight hours).

Location Fee

Effective May 15, 2006, the Department of the Interior requires the collection of location fees for all filming and still photography permits.

Motion Pictures/Video Location Fee Schedule

1. 1 to 2 people, camera and tripod only: $0/day
2. 1 to 10 people: $150/day
3. 11 to 30 people: $250/day
4. 31 to 49 people: $500/day
5. Over 50 people: $750/day

Still Photography location fee schedule

1. 1 to 10 people: $50/day
2. 11 to 30 people: $150/day
3. Over 30 people: $250/day

Performance Bond

Certain activities may trigger the need for the permittee to post a refundable damage bond. The amount of the bond will be equivalent to the estimated cost to the NPS for cleanup, repair or rehabilitation of resources or facilities that could potentially be impacted by the permit activities. At the conclusion of the permit, the bond will be returned to the permittee after the costs of cleanup, repair, or rehabilitation are deducted.

What is the process after I submit my application?

Once you return the application for filming, your application will be reviewed initially, and a determination made whether to proceed or whether additional information is necessary. At that point, the coordinator will provide an application number to pay $200 application fee to proceed with the review and permitting process. The permitting process allows discussion of the proposed project, provides an opportunity to understand policies and presents avenues for discovery of possible alternatives. It also serves to establish an administrative record of filming activities.

Where can I obtain more information?

Email the Special Use Permit coordinator or contact the park at (907) 683-9532 to get connected with the coordinator.