Special events are activities such as weddings, memorial services, sporting events, entertainment, automobile/motorcycle club rallies, organized tours or rides, large group camps or rendezvous, or scattering of ashes, which fall under the category of privileges. Special events differ from public assemblies and public meetings in that the latter activities are rights protected by the First Amendment.
The authority for the management of special events in a national park site can be found in Title 16, U.S. Code and Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, 2.50.
2006 National Park Service Management Policies and Director's Order 53 Special Park Uses provide policy guidance for management of special event activities.
The following guidelines are established by the 2006 National Park Service Management Policies as they relate to special event activities within this unit of the National Park Service.
Special Park Use
A special park use is a short-term 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 NPS 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 NPS;
- Is not managed under a concession contract.
Special use permits for special events will not be issued if, in the opinion of the Superintendent, the special event will:
- Cause injury or damage to park resources.
- Be contrary to the purposes for which the park was established, or unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural or cultural locations within the monument.
- Unreasonably interfere with the interpretive, visitor service, or other program activities, or with administrative activities.
- Substantially impair the operation of public facilities or services of NPS concessionaire or contractors.
- Present a clear and present danger to public health and safety.
- Result in significant conflict with other existing uses.
All applications will be handled in the order they are received. Most requests can be accommodated within 10 working days, but some can take longer depending on the scale of the request. Requests that involve multiple locations, complex logistics, and coordination with other NPS divisions or visitor activities may require a minimum of four weeks to process. A minimum of four weeks is also required to process permits for projects that need additional environmental compliance.
Application fees vary depending on the type of permit issued. Additional processing fees will be charged if permit is approved.
For questions or additional information, please e-mail the Special Park Use Coordinator at BLCA_CURE_commercialservices@nps.gov.
First Amendment Activities
Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, and in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations. People may exercise these rights in national parks, but the National Park Service still retains its responsibility to protect park resources and prevent impacts to park visitors. A First Amendment permit is not required for groups of 25 individuals or less, conducting First Amendment activities in the park’s designated First Amendment area with the use of hand carried signs only.
A permit is required for groups of 25 or more, those wanting to use stages, platforms, structures or amplified sound, and for groups desiring to reserve a designated area in advance. A First Amendment permit will not be issued for more than 14 days; therefore, applicants will be required to reapply for additional permits. Unless permitted, the designated area is first-come first-served. Types of activities not considered First Amendment include, but are not limited to:
- Church picnics or social gatherings
- Wedding ceremonies or receptions
- Political fundraisers or other invitation-only political activities or events
- Solicitations of donations
- Community parades, athletics, or sporting events
- Sales of message-bearing clothing, arts and crafts, or similar merchandise
Special Use Permit Application Forms
For a general Special Use Permit (weddings, memorial services, scattering of ashes, sporting events, entertainment, vehicle rallies, organized tours or rides, large group camps or rendezvous, First Amendment activities, etc.), use NPS Form 10-930.
For commercial filming or commercial still photography, use NPS Form 10-931. Learn more about permits and fees for commercial filming and commercial still photography.
Completed application forms should be e-mailed to BLCA_CURE_commercialservices@nps.gov. Payment of the non-refundable $100.00 application fee can be made online through Pay.gov.
