Special Use Permits

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is home to beautiful and unique landscapes and settings that are ideal venues for a variety of special activities such as events, wedding ceremonies, and film and photography projects.

A Special Use Permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large and for activities that require some degree of management by the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest.

Required processing time for a Special Use Permit is a minimum of 14 days and may be longer for some activities. The application fee is $110 based upon actual costs to write and review the permit application. Some Special Use Permits may require insurance and payment to recover costs to support the permitted activity.

For information on Special Use Permits or to email in your application, please contact the Special Use Permit Coordinator via phone at 719 383-5010. Applications accepted by email ONLY.

---

Activities and events that require Special Use Permits include:

• Photography
• Filming
• Wedding Ceremonies
• First Amendment Activities: Application (no fee), First Amendment Special Use Locations
• Special Events (Rallies, Sporting Events, etc.)

 

Established Maximum Capacities for Special Use

The established carrying capacities are based upon fire code, the physical and social capacities of the sites, available parking, minimizing damage to the resources, and to minimizing crowding, displacing, or disturbing of other visitors. Generally, special use permit requests for resource protection zones, or hiking on trails in groups larger than 25 will not be permitted.

Orientation Plaza

Occupancy   

32                 

Nearby Parking Spaces    

53 car spaces (2 accessible, 8 oversized, + potential overflow parking

Notes

4 picnic tables (8 people/table)

Reconstructed Fort

Occupancy   

49             

Nearby Parking Spaces    

53 car spaces (2 accessible, 8 oversized, + potential overflow parking located 1/4 mile away via accessible walking path)

Notes

Proposed increases of the approved occupant load during permitted activities will require a crowd management plan with review/approval by the NPS Intermountain Fire Code Official.

Trail System North of the River

Occupancy   

100        

Nearby Parking Spaces    

53 car spaces (2 accessible, 8 oversized, + potential overflow parking located a variable distance away via accessible walking path and trail system)

 

Permit for Photography

All commercial photography requires a permit. “Commercial photography” involves the digital or film recording of a visual image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience. This includes recordings such as those used for a documentary, television or feature film, advertisement, or similar project.

Still Photography

In most cases, still photography does not require a permit. A permit is required for still photography only when: 

1.    the activity takes place in an area closed to the public; or 

2.    the activity uses a model, set, or prop; or 

3.    the National Park Service would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. 

A “model” means a person or object that serves as the subject for still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Models include, but are not limited to, individuals, animals, or inanimate objects, such as vehicles, boats, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products. Portrait subjects, such as wedding parties and high school graduates, are not considered models, if the image will not be used to promote or sell a product or service.

Restrictions and Conditions

• Visitor access may not be restricted from any location; short interruptions to normal visitor use patterns are only allowed if specified in the approved permit.
• The permit does not include authority to film or photograph individuals. Model releases are the responsibility of the permittee.
• On-camera appearances by employees must be approved by park management as a condition of the permit.
• Coverage of breaking news does not require a permit, but is subject to restrictions and conditions to protect park resources.
• The park cannot sign a location release supplied by the permittee

Fees

• All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, scouting locations, monitoring, or otherwise supporting the photography activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit.
• Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met. The required amount of insurance will be determined by the potential risk to park resources and the complexity of activities.
• General commercial liability insurance must be issued by a United States company. “United States Government” must be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the United States Government as “certificate holder” only are not acceptable.

Location Fee Schedule

Still Photography and Audio Recording Fees

• 1-10 people - $50/day
• 11-30 people - $150/day
• Over 30 people - $250/day

How to Apply

• Complete an application form and email it to [e-mail].
• A minimum of four weeks is required to process the application and issue a permit. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than 90 days advanced submission).
• Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $125 application fee online.
• Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.

 

Permit for Filming

All commercial filming requires a permit. "Commercial filming" means the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, and documentaries. Commercial filming may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props. 

Non-commercial filming may require a permit to manage the activity, to protect park resources and values, to preserve wilderness character, to minimize conflict between user groups, or to ensure public safety. Examples of non-commercial filming include, but are not limited to, filming for tourism bureaus, convention and visitor bureaus, and student filming. Interviews with park staff or volunteers will almost always require a film permit. 

Restrictions and Conditions

• Visitor access may not be restricted from any location; short interruptions to normal visitor use patterns are only allowed if specified in the approved permit.
• The permit does not include authority to film or photograph individuals. Model releases are the responsibility of the permittee.
• On-camera appearances by employees must be approved by park management as a condition of the permit.
• Coverage of breaking news does not require a permit, but is subject to restrictions and conditions to protect park resources.
• The park cannot sign a location release supplied by the permittee.

Fees

• All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, scouting locations, monitoring, or otherwise supporting the filming activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit.
• Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met. The required amount of insurance will be determined by the potential risk to park resources and the complexity of activities.
• General commercial liability insurance must be issued by a United States company. “United States Government, National Park Service” must be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the United States Government as “certificate holder” only are not acceptable.

Location Fee Schedule

• 1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day 
• 1–10 people - $150/day 
• 11–30 people - $250/day 
• 31–49 people - $500/day 
• Over 50 people - $750/day

How to Apply

• Complete an application form and email it to [e-mail].
• A minimum of 90 days is required to process the application and issue a permit. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than 90 days advanced submission).
• Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $110 application fee online.
• Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.

 

Permit for Weddings

A permit is required for all wedding ceremonies held within Bent's Old Fort National Histoirc Site. The reconstructed fort and landscape along the Arkansas River provide one-of-a-kind settings. 

Restrictions and Conditions

Party size determines which locations may be used for wedding ceremonies.

Ceremonies may not:

• Impede the activities of other park visitors.
• Areas may not be roped off or blocked in any way to the general public.
• No enhancements of any sort (chairs, tables, arches, decorations, etc.) are permitted without the prior approval of the park.
• Use of candles is prohibited.
• Additional permissions are required for professional photography/videography; please include photographer contact information in the application form.
• The setting up of chairs, tents, or awnings is not permitted.
• Releasing of balloons, doves or butterflies is prohibited.
• Throwing of rice, birdseed, flower petals, or other natural or artificial material is prohibited. 
• No signing or advertising of the event is permitted on park property.
• Event participants are responsible for paying the park entry fee, where appropriate.
• The permittee must arrange for transport vehicles to shuttle guests, if needed (additional permissions required). 

How to Apply

• Complete an application form and email it to [e-mail].
• Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
• Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $110 application fee online.
• Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.

 

Permit for a Special Event or Activity

Any organized gathering of a group of people within the park may require a Special Use Permit. These gatherings or events could include, but are not limited to:

• Stationary events at a single location for over 30 participants, such as picnics, family reunions, special programs

• Sports events, public spectator attractions, pageants

Restrictions and Conditions

• Location of activities may be restricted, depending on group size.
• Activity monitoring and cost-recovery charges may be required. Permit Coordinators can help determine potential costs, if any, for the activity.

How to Apply

• Complete an application form and email it to [e-mail].
• Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
• Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $110 application fee online.
• Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
• Depending on the activity planned, cost-recovery charges may be required.
  Permit Coordinators can help determine potential costs, if any, for the actual activity.

 

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are Constitutional Rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. 

Less than 25 participants

First Amendment activities with less than 25 participants who utilize designated areas do not require a permit (per 36 CFR 2.51), unless the group uses amplified sound. Hand carried signs may be used, but stages, platforms, or structures may not be used without a permit.
 

More than 25 Participants

All First Amendment activities with over 25 participants require special use permits, and the park may regulate the time, place, and manner in which they are conducted.

First Amendment permit requests will be processed within 10 business days. Some examples of special events that require permits (per 36 CFR 2.51) include:

• Distribution and/or sale of printed matter (over 25 participants)

• Religious services

• Scattering of ashes

• Public demonstrations or assemblies, etc. (over 25 participants)

• Collecting signatures for petitions

• Complete an application form and email it to [e-mail].