Filming and Photography

Filming and Photography

UPDATE: On March 14, 2025 the NPS must implement Section 125 of the EXPLORE Act (Public Law 118-234) as it relates to the management of filming, still photography, and audio recording in park areas. All filming, still photography, and audio recording activity is treated the same under Section 125 of the EXPLORE Act. It does not matter whether the activity is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
When filming, photography, and sound recording activities occur in national parks, they must be consistent with the protection of park resources and avoid conflict with public use and enjoyment of the park. Questions and answers about filming and photograpy may be found at Filming & Still Photography Permits (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Other conditions to be aware of when considering Golden Spike National Historical Park for a film project:

Filming the Locomotives:

The locomotice run season is from (early-May to mid-October). Please note the locomotives are authentic wood burning and coal fired steam locomotives replicating over 200 year old technology. As such, the park can not control for unforeseen mechanical failure or delay.

Private Land:

Golden Spike National Historical Park is surrounded by private land and does not facilitate or provide access to adjacent or nearby private landowners for scouting crews or private photographers.

Talent Releases:

Per National Park Service policy, Park employees and volunteers are NOT allowed to sign model or talent releases, location releases or any other legal document provided by the permittee.

Models / Actors:

The Park does NOT recruit, coordinate or provide actors or models for filming or still photography projects.

Drones are not permitted on park property:

Policy Memorandum 14-05, released by the National Park Service (NPS) director in June 2014, directed each superintendent to use the authority under 36 CFR 1.5 to prohibit the launching, landing, or operation of unmanned aircraft, subject to the certain conditions and exceptions set forth in the memo. This is still in force with a very few exceptions.

Other Requirements:

You will be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

How to Apply:

Please complete and sign Form 10-931s and submit with payment to e-mail us or Golden Spike NHP, PO Box 897, Brigham City, UT 84302.

Our Mission:

"The service...shall promote and regulate the use of ... national parks ... [its] purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." (16 U.S.C. 1) It is the policy of the National Park Service (NPS) to allow for special uses such as organized group gatherings, club meetings, filming and photography when and where possible, while adhering to this mandate. Therefore, when reviewing Special Use Permit and Commercial Filming applications, the primary concerns of the NPS are potential impacts to park resources and disruption of visitor use.