Permits

School Group Reservations

Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more, maximum group size is 20 persons. Please see our page here to fill out the reservation form. A two-week advance notice is necessary. Reservations must be made directly by phone or e-mail. Voice mail messages will not be accepted to reserve a tour. Reservations must be confirmed by a ranger via phone or e-mail to be valid.

Special Park Use Permits

A permit is required for any activity that provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than to the park or the public at large. Many of the events that require permits also require some degree of oversight from National Park Service staff.

First Amendment Activities

We encourage citizens to exercise rights guaranteed by the Constitution. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect the public and park resources. Therefore, such First Amendment activities involving more than 25 participants require special use permits and National Park Service staff may regulate the time, place, and manner in which they are conducted.

Some examples are:

• distribution and/or sale of printed matter

• religious services

• public demonstrations or assemblies, etc.

• collecting signatures for petitions

The Stonewall National Monument First Amendment Right Area is located at the eastern most end of Christopher Park, where Grove Street and Christopher Street meet. No more than 25 participants will be permitted at a time.

Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording

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 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.

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.

Key elements of the new law include:

• 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 National Park Service.
• 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.

Please contact the permit coordinator for more information about filming, still photography.

Special Use Permit Application Process

Permit Application Instructions and Requirements

Application for Special Use Activities

Permit Application for First Amendment Activities

Application for Filming, Still Photography and Audio Recording

Via Mail

Complete the application form, and send it with a check or money order for the non-refundable application fee of $50 (payable to the National Park Service) to:

Federal Hall National Memorial
C/O Special Park Use Permits
26 Wall Street,
New York, NY 10005

Via e-mail and online payment:

Please fill out the proper application form and e-mail it to masi_special_park_use@nps.gov. Once the park receives the permit application, a staff member will contact you with further information and instructions.
Note that this is only an application form. A permit form will be sent to if the National Park Service approves your proposed activity. No Special Use Permit is valid until signed by the Superintendent or other authorized federal official. Please be advised that additional fees maybe assessed, depending upon the nature of the activity.

Further Information/Contact Us

For more information regarding Special Park Use at Stonewall National Monument, please e-mail the permit coordinator.

For more information about school groups or to reach a park ranger, please e-mail the park.