Filming and Photography

Permit Requirements

• 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, visit Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording (U.S. National Park Service)

 

Before Applying

How far in advance to apply for a permit

A complete application is required at least 30 days in advance of your requested dates in order to process a permit. Applicants are encouraged to start the application up to 60 days before their requested date. 

An application will not be considered complete without dates, times, locations, and equipment. If your application is missing these details, or if they change during the application process, a new application must be submitted. The 30 day window may restart when this happens.

 

Applying for a Permit

Step 1: Application

1. Download NPS Form 10-932 Application for Special Use Permit: Filming and Still Photography and fill out completely.

   • A complete application is required at least 30 days in advance of your requested dates in order to process a permit. Applicants are encouraged to start the application up to 60 days before their requested date.

   • An application will not be considered complete without dates, times, locations, and equipment. If your application is missing these details, or if they change during the application process, a new application must be submitted. The 30 day window may restart when this happens.

   • Consider attaching maps, diagrams, script pages, or storyboards. The National Park Service does not evaluate content, but these materials can assist park staff in understanding the potential impacts on resources and visitor experience.

2. Email [e-mail] the completed application as a single PDF file. Photos, links to shared drives, or pages as multiple PDFs may not be accepted. 

Step 2: Application Fee

1. After the Office of Special Park Uses receives your application via email, we will reply with a link to pay the application fee online. This is the fee to process your application and is non-refundable, even if a permit is not issued or you choose to cancel your application. This application fee must be paid within five (5) business days in order to move forward with the permit process. 

   • Filming, Still Photography, Audio Recording – $300 application fee

   • News Gathering –  no application fee

2. Send a copy of your pay.gov email reciept to [e-mail].

3. After the Office of Special Park Uses receives your receipt, we will review your application materials and determine if a permit can be issued.

Step 3: Insurance

After reviewing your application, we will send you information on insurance requirements for your specific request. However, most film, photography, and audio recording permits require the following:

1. A Certificate of General Liability Insurance (COI) in the amount of $1,000,000 listing the ‘United States of America’ as additional insured. The COI must be in English and in US funds.

Note: If your insurance company requires an address for ‘United States of America’, they can list the additional insured as:

United States of America
Death Valley National Park
PO Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328

Step 4: Additional Requirements

1. Filming/photography along State Highway 190 may require a Caltrans Encroachment Permit and/or CHP (California Highway Patrol) officers for traffic control. Additional information on California State filming requirements can be found at the California Film Commission website.  

2. For filming or photography in or along any roadway, intermittent traffic control (ITC) must be provided by certified ITC staff. A park approved, professionally developed, traffic control plan must be on file with the Office of Special Park Uses prior to any activity.

Step 5: Issuing a Permit

If your activity is approved, a permit containing applicable terms and conditions will be sent you. The permit must be signed by the responsible person and returned to the park for final signature by the Park Superintendent. A fully executed permit containing both signatures is required before the permitted activity may begin.

Please have a hard copy or downloaded digital copy of the entire document with you while you are in the park. It is your responsibility to have read and follow all of the conditions listed in your permit.

Step 6: Cost Recovery and Location Fees

After your permitted activity is concluded, the Office of Special Park Uses will send information on paying remaining cost recovery and location fees. 

Cost Recovery

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the National Park Service may recover all costs of providing necessary services associated with special use permits. This amount will vary depending on the size and complexity of your permit but an estimate will be provided to you beforehand and will be included in your signed permit. The following may apply:

1. Hourly fee: approximately $50/hour. The exact hourly fee is based on the specific employee’s salary and may be charged if any of the following activities are required for your permit:

   • Monitoring: Many permits require full-time or intermittent monitoring for the protection of resources and visitor experience, and to ensure full compliance with all conditions of the permit. The level and type of monitoring will be determined by the Office of Special Park Uses based on your application. Generally, one monitor is required for every 8 people involved with the project. If monitors are required, your permit will only be issued subject to availability of monitors on the dates and at the locations requested.

   • Interviews: All interviews and filming or photographing of NPS staff members will be assessed at the specific employee’s hourly rate.

   • Scouting: If a permittee requests a scouting trip with or by the Special Park Uses Coordinator, staff time will be assessed.

   • Extended administrative time: Any activity that is particularly complex is subject to the hourly fee. This fee covers additional administrative time needed beyond the maximum two hours covered by the $300.00 application. This rate does not preclude any of the other fees and is applied per hour/per staff member.

2. Government Vehicle Mileage Fee: $0.55/mile. We currently charge $.55/mile on government vehicles used for monitoring and other activities associated with your permit.

Location Fees

In addition to the standard cost recovery the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a location fee for commercial filming, still photography and audio recording permits to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. Location fees do not apply to non-commercial filming or news gathering permits. 

Still Photography and Audio Recording Location Fee Schedule:

1-10 people: $50/day
11-30 people: $150/day
Over 30 people: $250/day

Motion Picture/Video Location Fee Schedule:

1-2 people: $0/day
3-10 people: $150/day
11-30 people: $250/day
31-50 people: $500/day
Over 50 people: $750/day

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find the answers to your question here? Contact the Office of Special Park Uses at [e-mail] or 760-786-3241.

Do I need a still photography or film permit for a wedding or ceremony?

The party getting married or conducting a ceremony must have a Special Use Permit. The photographer or videographer does not need a separate permit.  

Am I able to fly a drone within Death Valley National Park?

Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Death Valley National Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent (approval is usually only granted in extreme or emergency situations). 

The term “unmanned 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 on 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, and drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce. 

What other considerations are there for filming or photographing in Death Valley?

Weather

Make sure to check the weather forecast before your arrival! From May to October, temperatures average over 100^o F. All times of the year, temperatures can vary by nearly 40^oF depending on your location in the park. The park may average less than 2 inches of rain per year but even a small amount of rain can cause significant damage including road closures. High wind events (30 – 50 mph) are extremely common and will impact what equipment can be used effectively and safely. High winds also cause dust storms that impact visibility and views, as well as power and cell-phone service outages. 

Internet and Cell Service

Cellphone access within the park is limited. Visitors with certain major carriers find service (though slow and limited) can be found in Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells. Phones typically need to be set to allow for roaming, as the cellphone towers are third-party operated. WiFi is not available at any NPS facility. WiFi can be purchased at The Oasis at Death Valley in Furnace Creek and the Death Valley Lodging Company in Stovepipe Wells. 

Other helpful links

• Lodging and camping  

• Photo gallery 

• B-Roll footage

Do I need a permit for a Photography Workshop?

Photography Workshops at Death Valley National Park require a Commercial Use Authorization.