Permits & Reservations

The park is a special place where crystal-clear aquamarine waters emerald shorelines. Its rich history is revealed the natural and cultural resources, and the stories of people who helped to shape this unique area. These resources make the park an ideal location for a variety of special activity requests. Each event, activity, research project and commercial operation in the park requires a permit. Permits are issued and approved after National Park Service employees follow required steps for program compliance. This includes reviews to determine that activities will not impair park values, resources, or visitor enjoyment, and are consistent with NPS policies. Permits are required for:

SPECIAL PARK USES

The special use permit authorizes activities that benefit individuals, groups or organizations, rather than the public at large. Examples include: weddings, memorial services, special assemblies, demonstrations and distribution of printed materials, and athletic events. The National Park Service may permit a special park use providing the activity will not cause derogation of park resources or values, visitor experiences, or the purpose for which the park was established. Primary consideration will be given to potential resource damage, anticipated disruption of normal public use, and previously approved permitted activities. Review the Superintendent's Compendium for guidance on your proposed activity prior to sending an email to [e-mail] with your inquiries.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Reasonable processing time is 10 business days but may exceed this for large scope projects. This review period begins the day the completed permit application and the $150 non-refundable permit fee are received. Applications will not be considered until payment of the $150 non-refundable application fee is received. Large or complex projects may take additional time. In addition to the application fee, other fees may be charged. National Park Service staff may be assigned as on-site monitors for the project. The permittee will be billed for all costs incurred.

 

DEMONSTRATIONS AND SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATTER

A special use permit is required for public assembly or the sale or distribution of printed matter in National Park Service areas when group size is greater than 25 and meets other criteria outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR §2.51 & §2.52). Please send an email to [e-mail] with your inquiries. All such activities must take place at the designated area at adjacent to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center Parking Lot as pictured below and outlined in the Superintendent's Compendium. All activities are limited to daylight hours. All park regulations must be followed and no resource damage is allowed.IMPORTANT NOTICE: Permits for Demonstrations and Sale or Distribution of Printed Matter activities may take up to ten days to approve or deny. This is a No Fee Permit.

 

SCATTERING of ASHES

The park is a beautiful, unique place that has touched many hearts. Scattering ashes in the park requires a special use permit. Please note that scattering of ashes must take place in the ocean at least three nautical miles offshore and other federal guidelines apply. There are no terrestrial areas in the park where scattering of ashes is authorized to take place. For more information or to request a permit application, please email e-mail us. This is a No Fee permit.

FILM, PHOTOGRAPHY, and SOUND RECORDING PERMITS

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 primitive 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). Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming and photography in park areas.
Key elements of the new law include:
• In most cases, permits and fees are not required for groups of eight individuals or less conducting filming and photography. To avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming or photography must:

(1) occur in areas open to the public;

(2) use hand-carried equipment only;

(3) not require exclusive use of a site; and

(4) not adversely impact park resources, values, and other visitors.

• Permits and fees are never required for filming and photography that is associated with a permitted event, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
• All filming and photography is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
• When a permit is required, the National Park Service may charge application and location fees.
• Individuals and groups exempt from permit and fee requirements for filming or photography remain subject to all other laws and regulations that apply in park areas, including those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to resources.
Please email e-mail us for more information about filming and photography in the park.
Requests for filming or still photography involving more than eight individuals require a permit and should be processed appropriately and all cost recovery and location fees collected as authorized.
Application
Please email e-mail us for an application.

COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS

What is a CUA?
A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• Are determined to be an appropriate use of Biscayne National Park, 
• Will have minimal impact on the park’s resources and values; and 
• Are consistent with the park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations. 

A CUA is required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part in Biscayne National Park, 
• use park resources, and 
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit. 

How do I apply for a CUA? 

• Applicants must apply through the NPS online CUA system. The system is designed to standardize, modernize, and streamline the CUA application and reporting process and allows potential CUA applicants and CUA holders to view available CUA opportunities, apply for CUAs, submit required CUA reports, and pay CUA fees.
• CUAs are applied for through the online system: Home - Commercial Use Authorization

Email the Commercial Services Office at e-mail us

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH and COLLECTING

A scientific research and collecting permit (permit) is a signed document issued by a park to an investigator. The permit authorizes the investigator and any named additional personnel to conduct the stated activities in specified places and at specified times within the park. Permits are issued based on compliance with law and policy, the quality of the proposed research, potential impacts on park resources and visitors, and the constraints of park staff workload.A permit is required because all scientific activities in a park have the potential to affect protected resources and visitor enjoyment. A park superintendent and/or delegated staff must have the opportunity to review and decide whether to allow the proposed activities, and to set conditions. The investigator must abide by all conditions stated on the permit.How to apply: the National Park Service developed the Integrated Resource Management Applications (IRMA) portal to facilitate application for scientific research permits. Investigators interested in conducting research in the park are required to submit both an application and a research proposal via this system. Proposals may be uploaded during the online application. Investigators are encouraged to review the NPS guidelines for research proposals prior to submitting an application and research proposal.
IMPORTANT NOTICES: Permit applications will not be reviewed unless a study proposal is submitted.

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS)

In most cases, drones are prohibited in national parks such as Biscayne National Park.An “uncrewed aircraft” means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or onboard the device, and the associated operational elements and components that are required for the pilot or system operator in command to operate or control the device (such as cameras, sensors, communication links). This term includes all types of devices that meet this definition (e.g., model airplanes, quadcopters, drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce.The sight and sound of a UAS can be very disruptive to wildlife and to visitors, especially in national parks. Small objects flying at low altitudes can confuse and alarm animals, and the high-pitched sounds UASs make prove especially annoying to both people and wildlife. In some circumstances, unauthorized operation of a UAS could even interfere with emergency operations such as firefighting or search and rescue. For all of these reasons, depending on the park unit, unauthorized operation of a UAS may result in a fine, confiscation, and/or other repercussions.For more information, please email e-mail us or visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm

STILTSVILLE

The six stilt houses located in the northern part of the park are closed to the public without a permit. Special visitation permission can be obtained by contacting the Stiltsville Trust, which maintains the properties through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. Depending on the nature of your visitation request, it is likely you will require a special park use permit from the NPS in addition to permission from the Stiltsville Trust. For more information visit the Stiltsville Trust.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Use request permits can take time due to a tiered process. Please ensure ample time for review.