Special Use Permits

Jump:	Special Events	Weddings	First Amendment	Scatter Ashes
	Shoshone Point	Shrine of Ages	Application Form	Fees

 

Grand Canyon National Park is home to many beautiful landscapes which make it a popular place for weddings and special events. Most special events and activities held in the park require a special use permit, issued only after the National Park Service (NPS) determines that the activity will not cause derogation of the park's resources or values, visitor experiences, or the purpose for which the park was established.

 

Special Events

A special use permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large. These activities require some degree of management from the National Park Service if there is the potential for interference with visitor use, congestion of a highly visited area, or possible impact on park resources. Application Form -- Fees

 

Weddings

Grand Canyon's inspiring viewpoints and natural settings are ideally suited for small, informal weddings. All weddings, regardless of size, require an approved wedding permit issued by the National Park Service. Weddings may be scheduled up to one year in advance.

Please review the Wedding Information Brochure for a list of ceremony sites in Grand Canyon National Park and indicate the specific location on the application.

You may also check the online Ceremony Sites Calendar to see which sites have already been booked on a specific day.

Wedding Information Brochure (172 kb PDF File) 07/2012 Application form --- Fees

For information on lodging, catering or reception availability please contact our local hotels and facilities directly. You can find information about all of the lodges and hotels in the area at:

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/lodging.htm

 

Shoshone Point

The National Park Service offers a site on the South Rim of Grand Canyon for reservation by groups wishing to host a wedding, celebrate a birthday, conduct a memorial service, hold a family reunion, or any similar non-commercial event.

An unimproved dirt road leads to this isolated area with spectacular views of Grand Canyon. The site features a covered pavilion, picnic tables, grills, trash cans and a vault toilet. There is no water or electricity at the site.

Shoshone Point is the place for people who can be flexible with their planning and can deal with unpredictable Grand Canyon weather.

Shoshone Point Information Brochure (177 kb PDF file) 07/2012 Application form -- Fees

 

Shrine of Ages

Located just west of Park Headquarters, the Shrine of the Ages is an National Park Service facility that is used for a variety of events. The Shrine features an auditorium with seating for 250 and a smaller, multipurpose room which seats up to 60 people.

Alcohol is not permitted within the building, while food is only allowed in the smaller room.
If you are interested in reserving the Shrine, please contact the Office of Interpretation at 928-638-7775 to check on availability prior to submitting an application. Application form -- Fees

 

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. The necessity of a permit to conduct First Amendment activities is determined by the group size.

A small group is defined as “25 people or less.” A “small group” is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within a park designated First Amendment site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or hand held signs. A permit is required for any small group that:

a. wants to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside a designated First Amendment area.
b. wants to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc.) even if it is within a designated area.
c. is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25 person maximum.
d. wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas.

A large group is defined as “more than 25 people” and is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.

Some examples of special events that fall under First Amendment Rules:

• distribution and/or sale of printed matter
• religious services
• public demonstrations or assemblies, etc.

There are no permit fees associated with First Amendment permits. Application form

Please contact the Concessions Management Office at 928-638-7706 for more information about Designated First Amendment sites or the application process.

 

Scattering of Cremation Ashes

Please download the Scattering of Cremation Ashes Letter in order to scatter ashes from human cremains in Grand Canyon. There are specific rules and conditions outlined in the letter that are required of all ash scattering requests. There is no fee for the scattering of ashes.

Download the letter here (40 kb PDF file)

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The Application Process

Application for a Special Use Permit (49kb PDF File - revised 2012 04)

Please send completed applications with the non-refundable permit fee to:

Grand Canyon National Park
Concessions Management Office
PO Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
or fax to 928-638-7701

After favorable review of your application, a Special Use Permit will be prepared and mailed to you for signature. Upon receipt, you will need to review, sign and return the permit to our office for final approval. After the permit is approved we will send you an authorized copy. The approved permit must be in your possession at the time of your wedding or event.

Most applications require a minimum of 4 weeks to fully process.
Please do not wait until the last minute to apply for your permit.

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Special Use Permit Fees

Permit Fees non-refundable and are based on an annual cost recovery analysis conducted by the Concessions Management Office. These fees include the cost of permit processing, administration and the basic monitoring of events.

Payment can be made by cashier’s check, money order or credit card (which is the preferred method). Credit card information must include the name on the card, card number, expiry date, security code, and billing address that is associated with the card.

 

Permit Type	2012	2013
Special Event	$175	$175
Wedding Permit	$175	$175
Shoshone Point	$250	$250
Shrine of the Ages	$150	$150

 

Additional Information

For more information about Special Use Permits;
contact the Concessions Management Office via e-mail or at 928-638-7707.

 

Jump:	Special Events	Weddings	First Amendment	Scatter Ashes
	Shoshone Point	Shrine of Ages	Application Form	Fees