Permits & Reservations

 

Reservations

• No advanced reservations are needed to enter Devils Tower National Monument
• The Belle Fourche River Campground inside the monument is first-come, first-served

Permits

A special park use is a short-term activity that occurs in a National Park Service area and:

• 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 in order to protect park resources and the public interest
• Is not prohibited by law or regulation
• Is neither initiated, sponsored, nor conducted by the National Park Service

All special park use applications are processed and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Completion and submission of an application and application fee does not guarantee permit approval. Conditions applying to all permits include:

• Access for other park visitors must not be impeded.
• Available parking is limited, often crowded and not guaranteed.
• Depending on location and time of day, requests may be denied during periods of heavy use or limited staffing (such as the week before Memorial Day, Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend, Labor Day weekend, or the first full week of August).
• Events must not impact park resources or impede a positive visitor experience for others.
• Use of decorations, music, and equipment must be specifically discussed with park staff and approved by permit.
• The permit holder is required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and codes.

For further information about obtaining a Special Use Permit or determining if your activity needs a permit, please contact us.

 

Special Use Permits (Events, Weddings, Ceremonies, and More)

Special events such as weddings, ceremonies, gatherings, sporting events, scattering of ashes, and other similar activities require the approval of a permit and payment of fees before the activity can be conducted in the park.

To Apply:

• Please submit applications for special use permits at least 30 days in advance. (use this form for filming and still photography as well)

Fees:

• Application/Administration Fee: $100, non-refundable. You may pay by US check, cashier’s check, or money order; to pay online, email us or call [phone] x741. This must be submitted with your application or it will not be processed.
• Monitoring Fee: If the activity requires monitoring by park staff, an hourly fee will be charged. The fee will be determined based on staff availability and ranges from $25/hr - $60/hr.

Permits are not required for demonstrations, public assemblies, or distribution of printed material by 25 persons or fewer. All other First Amendment activities require the approval of a permit before the activity can be conducted in the park. Permit fees for First Amendment activities are waived.

 

Film, Photography, and Sound Recording Permits

• 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.

Drones Not Permitted

Remotely piloted aircraft (drones) are not permitted for commercial filming, and the park superintendent will not seek higher level approval for any commercial filming activities. For more on National Park Service (NPS) policy regarding drone usage, please see:

• Unmanned Aircraft in National Parks

• NPS Aviation Program

• Unmanned Aircraft - Interim Policy Memo

Additionally, the use of a helicopter for commercial filming will not be permitted. For more information, please refer to the park's No Fly Advisory.

 

Commercial Use Authorizations

If you are a business such as a road-based tour company, climbing guide service, or other commercial company doing business in the park, please visit our Do Business With Us page to learn more.