Permits & Reservations

Guidance for permitting special events is found in 36 CFR § 2.50 - Special events. This regulation stipulates the following conditions for approving and denying special event requests:

(a) …There is a meaningful association between the park area and the events, and the observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park area, and a permit therefor has been issued by the superintendent. A permit shall be denied if such activities would:
(1) Cause injury or damage to park resources; or
(2) Be contrary to the purposes for which the natural, historic, development and special use zones were established; or unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural, historic, or commemorative zones.

Permit Needed: Special Use

When photography activities occur in national parks, they must be consistent with the protection of park resources and avoid conflict with public use, the educational nature of the park, and the enjoyment of the park by all visitors.

Who Needs a Permit?

Still photographers, including commercial or professional photography require a permit only when:

• the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed.
• the activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.
• a park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

For more on the required location fees, required cost recovery, and additional questions, see the NPS.gov Filming & Still Photography Permits page.

Props: What's allowed and what's not?

Props allowed with a permit include blankets, pillows, hand-held items such as musical instruments, small baskets. Permitted props also include photography equipment other than a camera and tripod. The use of equipment such as lighting, backdrops, shades, screens, etc. requires a permit.

The following props are not allowed: balloons, large decorative props, backdrops, sandbags, alcohol, ‘gender reveal’ items, candles, smoke generators, or snow machines. These items have the potential to be released into the park environment and/or impair the visitor experience and are not allowed. This list is not all-inclusive. When in doubt, contact the permit coordinator. Use of confetti and/or glitter may cause damage to resources and is not allowed on park property.

Permit Needed: Filming & Photography

The following types of filming activities may occur in areas open to the public without a permit and without advance notice to the NPS:

• Outdoor filming activities involving five persons or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold filming cameras.

The organizer of any other type of filming activity must provide written notice to the Superintendent at least 10 days prior to the start of the proposed activity. Based upon the information provided, the Superintendent may require the organizer to apply for and obtain a permit if necessary to:

• maintain public health and safety;
• protect environmental or scenic values;
• protect natural or cultural resources;
• allow for equitable allocation and use of facilities; or
• avoid conflict among visitor use activities.

If the Superintendent determines that the terms and conditions of a permit could not mitigate the concerns identified above in an acceptable manner, the Superintendent may deny a filming request without issuing a permit. The Superintendent will provide the basis for denial in writing upon request. The NPS will consider requests and process permit applications in a timely manner.

Processing times will vary depending on the complexity of the proposed activity. If the organizer provides the required 10-day advance notice to the NPS and has not received a written response from the NPS that a permit is required prior to the first day of production, the proposed filming activities may occur without a permit.

The following are prohibited:

1. Engaging in a filming activity without providing advance notice to the Superintendent when required.
2. Engaging in a filming activity without a permit if [the activity takes place in areas managed as wilderness or if] the Superintendent has notified the organizer in writing that a permit is required.
3. Violating a term and condition of a permit issued under this action. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued under to this action may also result in the suspension and revocation of the permit by the Superintendent.

If you still have more questions, please contact us at gewa_thst_information@nps.gov.

Permit Needed: Filming & Photography

The National Park Service will authorize the use of park land for public assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, religious activities, and other public expressions of views protected under the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, in accordance with 36 CFR 2.51.

A permit for demonstrations in First Amendment designated areas is required if there are more than 25 people in a group. Hand-carried signs may be used, but stages, platforms, or structures may not be used.

First Amendment areas are first come, first serve, so applying for a permit regardless of group size is recommended.