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.
All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
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.
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. See our Permits page for more information.
In order to ensure public safety, protection of park resources and the ability of all visitors to have an enjoyable experience we ask that all filming activities follow all park regulations including:
Do not use props of any kind. If the item isn't already on the battlefield, it does not belong there for a photo session.
Obey all time limits at tour stops. All of our numbered tour stops have a 15-minute parking limit to ensure that all visitors may access the limited spaces at each site. If you want to take photos for a period of longer than 15-minutes, please park in the recreational user lot near our visitor center.
Park in designated areas. Please use our paved or gravel parking lots. Do not park vehicles in or on the sides of roads. Ilegally parked vehicles may be towed.
Stay off the roads. It is unsafe for photography to take place on roads used by motor vehicles. Do not stand or stop your vehicle in the middle of a road.
Stay on marked trails or the short grass. A number of trails offer access to our park's resources. Some areas feature mown grass where visitors are welcome to walk. Please stay out of areas marked as closed to the public. Our fields filled with tall native grasses are off limits to people! Those fields provide food and shelter for our resident wildlife. Photography sessions in those areas damage the grasses and interfere with wildlife behaviors.
Share the trails. If others wish to walk down the trail you're using to get that perfect shot, please step aside and allow them to pass.
If our rangers or volunteers observe filming activities that do no follow these rules, we will stop them immediately. Please help us make your visit enjoyable and uninterrupted with your cooperation.
