National Parks Special Use Permit

[alpinewildernessphoto]

Does anyone have experience with or run into any problems obtaining Special Use Permits for photographing in

National Parks?

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[chinmaya]

I am not sure what you mean. I have annual National Parks pass, it allows one person or car free of cost.

 

It can be shared by 2 persons (only two signtaures allowed).

 

I never had to obtain any special pass for photographing.

[curtis_dalpra]

I have used special use permits to take environmental groups onto parks, but it was for group camping. You probably need a permit to do commercial/production work, and how that works will vary from park to park.

[jeff_conrad]

You shouldn’t need a special use permit unless the photography

involves models or props; commercial intent, as such, isn’t a factor.

The NPS have yet to define “model” or “prop,” so

the possibility exists for heavy-handed interpretation by field

personnel, but this seems to be by far the exception rather than the rule.

When the dust finally settles, both terms will probably relate to use for

commercial advertising, much as in the current 36 CFR 5.5(b). But

we’ll need to wait until the NPS publish the next proposed rule. In

the last couple of years, there have been some issues with commercial group

portraits in the National Capital Region, but aside from that, little seems

to have changed from the policy that’s been in effect for over 20

years.

[david_dorcich1]

"I have annual National Parks pass, it allows one person or car free of cost. "

 

At per person fee sites, the pass admits pass holder and up to three (3) persons age 16 and older.

[sknowles]

What do you plan to do? Outside of a visitors pass, you shouldn't need one unless you plan to go where you shouldn't be or

in designated off-limits areas of a NP. The only permits you'll need are backcountry camping and other special, eg.

climbing, permits. Unless you're planning a commercial photo shoot, and then yes, ask first ahead of time. Rememer

they're a government bureaucracy (and yes I retired from a government agency too).