Permits & Reservations

RANGER GUIDED EDUCATION PROGRAM RESERVATION

If an educator wants a ranger-guided formal education program for students, please contact the education technician at (505) 899-0205 to check ranger availability. A ranger can be provided at no charge to present a formal education program on any of the official park trails. Please inform us at least two weeks in advance if requesting a ranger guided tour for your students.

SPECIAL PARK USE PERMITS

A Special Park Use (SPU) is defined as an activity that takes place in a park area, and that:

• Provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large.
• Requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest.
• Is not prohibited by law or regulation.
• Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the Service.
• Is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.

The Special Use Permit (SUP) is a valuable tool used by parks to manage non-routine activities in parks to protect park resources and values and minimize impacts to visitors and park operations. Examples of special uses that require a permit are:

• Sports events
• Pageants
• Regattas
• Public spectator attractions
• Entertainments
• Ceremonies

Across the Service, parks often issue permits for activities when the activity grows beyond casual use and requires more oversight to prevent visitor conflicts. Decisions must be based on applicable laws, regulations, and policies that ensure resource protection, visitor use, and ensuring impairment does not occur.

The non-refundable base application fee for a Special Use Permit is $50. A check or money order must be made out to Petroglyph National Monument. Additional Location and/or Cost Recovery fees for monitoring, administrative costs, and restoration will be determined and assessed either prior to or upon completion of the special use activity.

If you are not familiar with Petroglyph National Monument, a pre-visit is encouraged. The location where the event is to take place must be determined and approved prior to the day of the event. There may be special restrictions in the area requested that could limit access.

A General Special Use Permit Application (Form 10-930) is required for all potential special use events. A $50 application fee is required to process the application. Email us to receive your Special Use Permit application via email.

Once completed, Special Use Permit applications may be mailed to:

Special Park Use Coordinator
Petroglyph National Monument
6001 Unser Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120

Filming, Still Photography & Audio Recording Permits on National Park Land

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

UPDATE: On March 14, 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) issued guidance about how 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.

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 new law. 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 National Park Service 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.

Have questions about filming at Petroglyph National Monument? Call (505) 899-0205 or email: e-mail us

First Amendment Activities

The NPS will authorize the use of parklands for public assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, religious activities, and other public expressions of views protected by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. All requests for similar activities by disparate applicants are treated equally. If permit criteria and requirements are met, no group wishing to lawfully assemble will be discriminated against or denied the right of assembly. A permit may be used to regulate the time, location, number of participants, use of the facilities, and number and type of equipment used to protect park resources, but not the content of the message presented.

When permits are issued for First Amendment activities, there are no fees or costs, and no insurance is required for the activities. However, Parks may collect after the event when documented damage occurs.

Specific examples of activities that fall under First Amendment rules include the following:

• Distribution of printed matter
• Demonstrations
• Speechmaking
• Marching
• Religious services

A small group of 25 people or less (36 CFR 2.51(b)) in most cases is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within a park designated First Amendment site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or handheld signs.

A group of more than 25 people is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.

Email us for an application.

Right of Way Permits

All requests for Transportation & Utility Systems on Federal Lands must email two weeks prior to work start date.