An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A
lock (
) or https:// means you've safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Ranger-led tours are available through reservation only, but are not required to visit African Burial Ground. To learn more about tours and programs offered by the site, please visit the Education page. Ranger-led tours can be reserved at recreation.gov.
For additional questions regarding visitation to the African Burial Ground National Monument please call the site at (212) 238-4367.
NPS
Filming & Photography
The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.
On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.
Key elements of the new law include:
In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.
Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required.
No, provided the filming, still photography, or audio recording activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets all of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
You may need a permit if your group is more than eight individuals, or the activity does not meet any of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact masi_special_park_use@nps.gov.
No. A separate permit and fee payment is not required for filming, photography, or audio recording that is associated with a permitted event, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
You do not need a permit if the activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets all of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, and other visitors; and
Will not result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, please contact masi_special_park_use@nps.gov.
When a permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including, but not limited to: a non-reundable $50 application fee, electricity use and staff monitoring. All fees can be paid online via pay.gov's e-billing, or via a check or money order (please contact the park for further instructions).
Location Fees
Film
Still Photography/Sound Recording
1-2 people with camera
and tripod only
$0
1-10 people
$50/day
1-10 people
$150/day
11-30 People
$150/day
11-30 People
$250/day
11-30 People
$250/day
31-49 People
$250/day
Over 50 People
$750/day
Yes, you may request and the National Park Service may issue a permit even when one is not required.
When applying, please be as specific as possible with proposed activity details- including but not limited to what equipment will be used, and the specific locations for the activity.
If you are planning a photography workshop as a business, you may need a commercial use authorization. Please contact masi_special_park_use@nps.gov for more information.
Special Park Uses
A permit is required for any activity that provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than to the park or the public at large. Many of the events that require permits also require some degree of oversight from National Park Service staff.
We encourage citizens to exercise rights guaranteed by the Constitution. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect the public and park resources. Therefore, such First Amendment activities involving over 25 participants require Special Use Permits, and National Park Service staff may regulate the time, place, and manner in which they are conducted. Some examples are:
