Academic Fee Waivers
All accredited educational and scientific institutions are eligible to receive free entrance to the park. Bringing your classroom to the park can present many unique learning opportunities and novel ways for your students to advance their studies.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), Public Law 108-447, provides the National Park Service statutory authority to allow “outings conducted for non-commercial educational purposes by schools or bona fide academic institutions” to obtain a waiver of park entrance fees. Commercial enterprises are not eligible for fee waivers, but school groups using a commercial vehicle for transportation only may apply for a fee waiver.
The entrance fee waiver does not entitle groups to any special ranger presentations. Organizations that are generally considered service, civic, or fraternal (e.g. Scouting, Rotary, faith-based organizations, clubs, etc.) do NOT qualify for the academic fee waiver unless they meet the requirements. Fee waivers do not apply to camping or permit fees. Groups that do not qualify for an educational fee waiver will be charged the appropriate entrance fee and may be considered as a non-commercial organized group.
Applications must be submitted here to the Special Use Permit Office, 2 weeks prior to the anticipated date of visit.
Academic Fee Waiver Application
