Permits

Thank you for your interest in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

General Requirements

The National Park Service is responsible for conserving park resources unimpaired for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Therefore, any activities that would cause a permanent impact or detract from the values and purposes for which a park has been established cannot be allowed.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area was established in October 1964 (16 U.S.C § 440n-3) "…for general purposes of public recreation, benefit and use, and in a manner that will preserve, develop, and enhance, so far as practicable, the recreation potential, and in a manner that will preserve the scenic, historic, scientific, and other important features of the area, consistently with applicable reservations and limitations relating to such area and with other authorized uses of the lands and properties within such area."

Approval of any special uses of the park - unrelated to public enjoyment - may be allowed if not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation. However, the National Park Service can only allow uses that are (1) appropriate to the purpose for which the park was established, and (2) can be sustained without causing unacceptable impacts.

Please keep these requirements in mind if you are considering a request for special use of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The permit system is intended to ensure that permitted events that may be taking place on any given day will not conflict with each other or with general visitor activities.

Special Park Uses

• Special Use Permit Application

The special park use is defined as an activity that takes place in a park area, and that:

• provides a benefit to an individual, group or organization rather than the public at large;
• requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
• is not prohibited by law or regulation;
• is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the National Park Service; and
• is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the National Park Service charges a feeor a lease.

Follow the directions found in the application form then mail the completed form to the park headquarters address. Forms will only be accepted via U.S. Mail. Forms that have been faxed or e-mailed will not be accepted for consideration.

45 business days advanced notice is required.

A $100 non-refundable application fee is required. Please send a cashier's check or money order payable to National Park Service. We are not able to accept credit cards at this time. Additional administrative costs, cost recovery or facilities use cost may also be charged. Applications are not processed without the application fee.

Film and Commercial Still Photography

• Film/Still Photo Permit Application

All film and still photography permits have location fee charges per 16 USC §3a and 16 USC § 460l-6d.

Commercial filming is defined as digital or film recording of a visual image or sound recording by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience, such as for a documentary, television or feature film, advertisement, or similar project. It does not include news coverage or visitor use.

Still photography activities require a permit only when:

• The activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed;
• The activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or
• The park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity;
• The park needs to provide management and oversight to:
• • Avoid impairment or incompatible use of the resources and values of the park, or
  • Limit resource damage, or
  • Minimize health or safety risks to the visiting public.

All commercial filming permits and still photography permits are subject to cost recovery and a location fee. No waivers are allowed. The location fee is calculated per day and must be based on the following schedule and is determined by the type of activity (commercial filming versus still photography) and the number of people on park lands associated with the permitted activity. There is no deviation from the schedule.

Commercial Filming/Videos		Still Photography
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

Follow the directions found in the application form then mail the completed form to the park headquarters address. Forms will only be accepted via U.S. Mail. Forms that have been faxed or e-mailed will not be accepted for consideration.

10 business days notice is required.

A $100 non-refundable application fee is required. Please send a cashier's check or money order payable to National Park Service. We are not able to accept credit cards at this time. Additional administrative costs, cost recovery or facilities use cost may also be charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I get entrance fees waived with my permit?
  No. Entrance fees into the park are not waived for special events or special park uses.
• I want to express my first amendment rights in the park, do I need a permit?
  For groups under 20 you don't need a permit, however we appreciate advanced notice so that we may inform you our designated First Amendement areas.
  For groups over 20 you are required to file a permit. First Amendment permits do not have application fees. Permit applications are received and processed on a first come, first served basis.
• I'm on a deadline and I need to come and film in the park next week, what do I need to do to expedite my permit application?
  We do not expedite applications as we process all applications in the order we receive them. Film and photography permit applications must be submitted no later than two-weeks in advance of your proposed shoot date.
• Why do I need liability insurance?
  It is important to remember that a permit is a legally binding document between the permitted applicant and the United States of America. Because of this, liability insurance is required with all special park use permits.

Contact

If you are unsure if your event will need a special park use permit, please contact the park's Park Uses Coordinator:

Park Ranger Naomi Shibata

e-mail us

[phone]