Special Park Uses

The Special Use Permit (SUP) program authorizes activities that provide benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large; and that require written authorization and some management control in order to protect park resources and the public interest. Examples include special events, commercial filming/still photography, weddings, scattering of ashes, First Amendment activities, agricultural permits and right-of-way (ROW) easements.

Special Use Permits are granted for specific periods of time and specific locations. Certain cost recovery, fees and insurance requirements may apply.

Non-Profit Organizations
When engaging in activities on park area lands, a non-profit organization is required to obtain a Special Use Permit or other appropriate authorization as may otherwise be required by National Park Service policies and regulations. Certain cost recovery, fees and insurance requirements may apply.

A non-profit organization is an organization that has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from Federal income taxation as a nonprofit or not-for-profit organization under the terms of the Internal Revenue Code.

Special Use Permit (SUP) Forms and Information
Application for Special Use Permit (Form 10-930)
Supplemental Statement for Non-Profit Organizations
SUP - General Information
SUP - Wedding Information
SUP - Cremains (Scattering of Human Ashes) Information
SUP - First Amendment Activity Information

Commercial Filming/Still Photography
Application for Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit - short form (Form 10-931)
Application for Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit - long form (10-932)
SUP - Commercial Filming/Photography Information

Agricultural
SUP - Agricultural Use Information

For current agricultural permits, click here.

Rights-of-Way (ROW)Easements
Right of Way/Easement Form (SF299)
SUP - Right of Way (ROW) Information

Special Park Use Cost Recovery and Fees
The authority for the National Park Service to recover and retain costs associated with managing special park uses is found at 16 U.S.C. 3a, 16 U.S.C. 460l-6d, and 31 U.S.C. 9701. Charges established for a Special Park Use under this authority are intended to recover costs associated with managing that activity and not to generate revenue beyond actual cost.

Special Use Permit for:	Application Fee	Administrative Fee	Total
25 persons or less	$50	$50	$100
26 persons or more	$50	$100	$150
Commercial Film/Photography	$100	$100	$200
First Amendment	No Fee	No Fee	No Fee
Right-of-Way (ROW)	$100	$100	$200
Agricultural Use	$50	$50	$100

Application Cost	Must be submitted at the time of the initial application. This is a non-refundable cost.
Administration Cost	Payable when the permit is approved and prior to beginning the event. This is a non-refundable cost.
Monitoring Cost	If the event requires NPS supervision for resource protection or the health or safety of visitors, the cost will be estimated and payable when the permit is approved and prior to beginning the event. The scope and complexity of the permit activity will determine the level and type of supervision. The cost includes employee travel time to and from the event location.

Commercial Film/Still Photography Location Fee: Required by Public Law 106-206 payable when the permit is approved and prior to beginning filming.

Commercial Filming/Videos Fees		Still Photography Fees
1 - 2 people (camera & tripod only)	$0/day
1 - 10 people	$150/day	1 - 10 people	$50/day
11 - 30 people	$250/day	11 - 30 people	$150/day
31 - 49 people	$500/day	Over 30 people	$250/day
Over 50 people	$750/day

Federal procedures (31 USC 7701 ) requires your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number on the back of all checks or money orders accepted for deposit in the amount of $50.00 or more. You must supply your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number in order for your check to be accepted and your application to be processed.

Permit Application Procedure
Requests for a permit application may be made in person at park headquarters, via telephone, email or letter. The application form may be downloaded from the park website. A completed application and the non-refundable application fee are required before an application can be processed. Park information is:

Concessions Specialist	Telephone: [phone]
Buffalo National River	FAX: [phone]
402 N. Walnut St., Suite 136	Website: www.nps.gov/buff
Harrison, AR 72601