Permits

Special use permits are required for any activity that provides a benefit to an individual group or organization rather than the public at large. A permit is also required for an activity not initiated, sponsored, nor conducted by the National Park Service that is disruptive or potentially disruptive to normal park operations.

A $50 non-refundable application fee must be submitted with the application form for the application to be considered. If the permit is approved and issued, additional fees will be charged to recover costs incurred by the National Park Service for administering the permitted activity.

Permitted activities must not interfere with general park visitation or park programs. Therefore, the pavilion on the path from the visitor center to the meadow is not available for reservations. This pavilion is available on a first come, first served basis when not being used for park programs. In addition, due to the high monitoring costs, permits for overnight activities such as group camping are no longer issued.

Special Use Permit applications involving any natural or cultural resource disturbance must provide a location map and Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory Environmental Review (PNDI) receipt for Threatened and Endangered Species. The park is responsible for completing NEPA and Section 106 reviews and the applicant should allow adequate time for those reviews to take place after the permit application has been received by the Park staff.

• Find information on Special Park Uses and Commercial Use Authorizations that applies to the entire National Park Service here.
• For more park specific information, or if you are unsure if the activity you have planned requires a special use permit, please call 724-329-5805. You can also email the Special Use Permit Coordinator or Site Manager.
• Download an "Application for Special Use Permit".
• Download an "Application for Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit" (short form, 10-931).
• Some filming requests, those that include unusual locations or changes to the park for example, will require a slightly different application for commercial filming/still photography permit. Download an "Application for Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit" (long form, 10-932).

Attention Photographers:

Wedding parties, family reunions, and graduations do not need a commercial photography special use permit unless:

1. They are using multiple props in the photo (hand held items like flowers do not count as a prop), and/or
2. They are setting up photography equipment like lights, screens, big tripods, constructing a set (i.e. items that could get in the way of regular park visitors), and/or
3. They are using models (wedding parties, graduates, and family reunion folks are not considered models since they are not being paid to be in the photo), and/or
4. Photos will be use to advertise a product, and/or
5. Photo will be taken at a location in the park that is normally closed to visitors, or
6. Taking the photo in the chosen location would cause an unsafe situation or impede regular visitor traffic.

If any of the above six criteria are met, the photographer will need a special use permit. For further information or clarification, please contact the park at 724-329-5805.