Special Use Permits

Providing opportunities for appropriate public enjoyment is an important part of the National Park Service mission. 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.

 

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

• 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;
• is not managed under a concession contract;
• is not a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.

Please keep these requirements in mind if you are considering a request for special use of facilities or resources at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

 

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Basic Application for Special Use Permit
• Make an online payment through Pay.Gov

Learn and Explore

During special use events there are certain trails and areas that may be utilized if they are designated for the recreational activity. Click here to download the Special Uses Map. The information contained on this map is dynamic and may change over time. The data presented are not better than the original sources from which they were derived. 

 

Special Event Scheduling

An annual calendar is maintained of all special events held in the park. Requests for event dates are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis up to one year in advance. To avoid potential conflicts with scheduled park events, applications should be received as soon as possible. We will not issue permits for sites that are already affected by a scheduled event. An event is not placed on our calendar until a completed application form, accompanied by the $50 application fee, is received and reviewed at the park.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN THE FOLLOWING TIME FRAMES:

WEDDINGS
If no more than 25 persons will be at the event—2 weeks prior to the event.
If more than 25 persons will be at the event—8 weeks prior to the event.

EVENTS
Events that will take place on existing approved trails—8 weeks prior to the event
Events that need additional environmental compliance—1 year prior to the event.

OTHER
After-hour pool use—5 business days prior to the event.
All other requests should be processed within 30 days if the application is complete and without alteration. Requests involving multiple locations, complex logistics, or coordination with other visitor activities will require a minimum of 30-45 days to process.

A non-refundable application fee of $50 is required. Pay online through Pay.Gov or mail in payment. Additional administrative, location and/or cost recovery fees may also be charged.

Incomplete applications may be returned to the applicant without action. The Park will attempt to reach the applicant to resolve minor issues but may return the application without action if unable to reach the applicant over three business days. Applicants are encouraged to provide reliable daytime telephone contact information.

 

Commercial Film and Still Photography Permits

Currently, the National Park Service is not issuing commercial filming permits, but is in the process of evaluating how best to regulate filming activities that affect visitors and park resources. All applicable laws and regulations governing activities and public use in parks still apply, including park hours and areas open and closed to the public. Videographers, filmers, producers, directors, and other staff associated with commercial filming are reminded that rules and regulations that apply to all park visitors still apply to filming activities even if no permit is needed for their activity. Find more detailed information on our commercial film and still photography permits page.

 

A permit application may be denied if the proposed activity will:

1. Cause injury or damage to park resources
2. Result in significant conflict with other existing uses
3. Present a clear and present danger to public health and safety
4. Be contrary to the purposes for which the park was established
5. Substantially impair the operation of public facilities or services of NPS concessionaires or contractors
6. Unreasonably interfere with the interpretive visitor service or other program activities, or with the administrative activities of the NPS
7. Unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural, historic or commemorative locations within the park