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Certain types of activities require a special use permit. These include many types of special events, sporting events, wedding ceremonies, and other organized gatherings. See the information below.
A special park use is defined as 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 National Park Service (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; and
Is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.
Read all conditions, guidelines and restrictions.
Fill out and return permit application. Application deadlines vary by activity, please see below. Download the application for non commercial filming/photograpy related events.
Your permit will be created and returned for your signature.
When received with your signature, your permit will be approved and returned to you.
For more information and forms contact the Permit Coordinator at 440-546-5904 or e-mail us.
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 Regulation. 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 areas. There are several different first amendment areas designated in the park; a map of available areas can be found in the Superintendent's Compendium.
Red areas indicate holds on permits.
Google maps.
Temporary Hold on Special Use Permits on Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Station Road Bridge to Lock 29
Due to the number of large-scale restoration projects that began in 2019, the park will not be issuing Special Use Permits for events utilizing the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail between Station Road Bridge and Lock 29. This also includes the entire vicinity of Station Road Bridge and Boston. For additional information about these projects visit our river restoration page.
Fees and Restrictions
Application Fee and Cost Recovery
The following are examples of charges you may incur as a part of the permitting process.
Application fee, nonfefundable: $75
Monitoring fees: $25–$60 per hour depending on complexity of event and staffing levels (2 hour minimum).
Use of utilities (electricity): $50
Administrative fees: $75 and up, depending on the complexity of event.
Date Restrictions
Permits will not be issued on the following dates:
Only one permit per location per day will be approved.
Memorial Day weekend (Friday–Monday)
Labor Day Weekend (Friday–Monday)
Independence Day and associated weekends.
No events will be permitted at Brandywine Falls or on the Brandywine Gorge Trail on weekends, holidays, or during the month of October.
Events on trails will not be permitted from December 1–June 1 due to trail conditions.
Location Restrictions
Events taking place on trails will only be permitted on the following trails:
Salt Run
Lake
Cross Country
Oak Hill
Plateau
Towpath Trail (depending on size of the event and time the event takes place)
Buckeye Trail
No permits will be issued at the following locations:
Blue Hen Falls
Old Carriage Trail
East Rim Trails
No events will be permitted at Brandywine Falls or on the Brandywine Gorge Trail on weekends, holidays, or during the month of October.
All other locations will be limited based on availability, season, or size of the event. Please contact the Permit Coordinator at 440-546-5904 for additional information or e-mail us.
Application Deadlines
Wedding ceremonies: 30 days
Still Photography: 30–90 days depending on complexity of project
There are many beautiful settings for weddings in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For wedding ceremonies you must obtain a Special Use Permit. For more information contact the Permit Coordinator at 440-546-5904 or e-mail us. A permit is not required for wedding photos.
Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording Permits
UPDATE: On March 14, 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) issued guidance about how the NPS must implement Section 125 of the EXPLORE Act (Public Law 118-234) as it relates to the management of filming, still photography, and audio recording in park areas. All filming, still photography, and audio recording activity is treated the same under Section 125 of the EXPLORE Act. It does not matter whether the activity is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
When filming, photography, and sound recording activities occur in national parks, they must be consistent with the protection of park resources and avoid conflict with public use and enjoyment of the park.
Who Needs a Permit?
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 NPS.
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.
For more information please contact the Permit Coordinator at 440-546-5904 or e-mail us.
If you are looking for possible PhD or Master's degree research projects in CVNP, we can provide you with a catalog of research project suggestions.
For more information contact Ryan Trimbath at 440-724-3877.
Commercial Use Authorizations
Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) authorize a private person, corporation, or other entity to provide commercial services in the National Park. Approval from the Superintendent through a CUA is required before any commercial operations can begin in the park.
At this time commercial use for the Cuyahoga River is not authorized.
For more information visit our CUA page or contact the Permit Coordinator at 440-546-5904 or e-mail us.
Reservations
Reservable Facilities
Cuyahoga Valley National Park has several facilities available for public rentals that can accommodate a variety of activities. For reservations contact the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park at 330-657-2909 ext. 130. For more information visit the facilities web page.
