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 parking, special events, commercial filming/still photography, weddings, scattering of ashes, group camping, First Amendment activities, and constructing a temporary Duck Blind.

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

All though some permits, such as parking, can be completed quickly, most permits need time to be evaluated, processed, completed, and signed by both parties.  Allow at least six business days for processing. Requests which involve multiple locations, complex logistics or coordination with other visitor activities will require a minimum of 15 working days to process. Projects which require environmental or cultural resource evaluation must be submitted not less than 30 days before the start of proposed activities.

Application Forms * Permit Information Links * Non-Profit Organizations
Scientific Research and Collections * Long-Term Parking * Temporary Duck Blinds
Cost Recovery and Fees * Application Procedure

Special Use Permit (SUP) Applications and Forms

Special Use Permit Application (Form 10-930) (pdf, 25 KB)
Special Use Permit Application - Wedding (Form 10-930) (pdf, 25 KB)
Long-Term Parking Permit Application (2012) (pdf, 14 KB)
Long-Term Parking Permit - 2012 Season (must be completed with the application) (pdf, 93 KB)
Duck Blind Permit Application (pdf, 127 KB)
Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit Application - short form (Form 10-931) (pdf, 59 KB)
Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit Application - long form (Form 10-932) (pdf, 128 KB)

Supplemental Statement for Non-Profit Organizations (pdf, 34 KB)

Special Use Permit (SUP) Information Links

General Information
Camping (Groups of 25 and Larger)
Commercial Filming/Still Photography Information
Cremains (Scattering of Human Ashes) Information
Duck Blind Information
First Amendment Activity Information
Long-Term Parking Information
Wedding Information

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.

Scientific Research & Collections

A Scientific Research and Collecting Permit is required for most scientific activities pertaining to natural resources or social science studies in National Park System areas that involve fieldwork, specimen collection, and/or have the potential to disturb resources or visitors.

Long-Term Parking

Permit applications for the 2011 season can be submitted on or after Monday, February 14. North and South Core Banks will open to vehicles from March 16, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

Long-Term Parking Information
Long-Term Parking Permit Application (available after January 1st each year) (pdf, 13 KB)
Long-Term Parking Permit - 2011 Season (must be completed with the application) (pdf, 71 KB)

Duck Blinds

The Duck Blind lottery for the 2011-2012 season will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 9:00 AM. After the lottery is complete, the remaining duck blind spaces will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Temporary Duck Blind Information
Duck Blind Permit Application (available after August 1st each year) (pdf, 127 KB)

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
49 persons or less	$50	$50	$100
50 persons or more	$50	$100	$150
Commercial Film / Photography*	$100	$100	$200
First Amendment	No Fee	No Fee	No Fee
Recurring Permits (Example: Annual Fishing Tournaments*)	No Fee	$50*	$50*
Long Term Parking	$0	$15 per week	$15 per week
Camping 25 to 49 persons 50 or more persons	$50 $50	No Fee $50	$50 $100

* Other fees may apply

Special Use Permit for:	First Blind	Second Blind	Total
Duck Blind (starting in the 2012-2013 season)	$50	$25	$50-$75

Application Cost: Must be submitted at the time of the initial application. This is a non-refundable payment.

Administration Cost: Payable when the permit is approved and prior to beginning the event. This is a non-refundable payment.

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 fee includes employee travel time to and from the event location.

*Generally a $50.00 per hour per monitor charge is the rate for monitoring.

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 / Video Fees		Still Photography Fees
1 to 2 people with camera and tripod only	$0 per day
1 to 10 people	$150 per day	1 to 10 people	$50 per day
11 to 30 people	$250 per day	11 to 30 people	$150 per day
31 to 49 people	$500 per day	31 or more people	$250 per day
50 or more people	$750 per day

Federal procedures (31 USC 7701) requires your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number on the back of all checks accepted for deposit. 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.

For information on any Special Use Permit or to submit an application, contact the park at:

Special Use Permits	Phone: 252-728-2250 ext. 3018
Cape Lookout National Seashore	FAX: 252-728-2160
131 Charles Street	Website: www.nps.gov/calo
Harkers Island, NC 28531	Email: Lynn_Winstead@nps.gov