Permits & Reservations

 

Special Use Permits

A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for all activities for which regulations at 36CFR Parts 1-7 and Part 14 specify that a permit is required. SUPs are required for weddings, public assemblies, special events, First Amendment rallies, filming, telecommunications, and right-of-way permits for utilities and roads, as well as for other non-visitor activities occurring on park land.

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.

SUP applications should be submitted well in advance. To contact us with questions regarding permits of any kind, please use this e-mail form.

Weddings

No weddings may be held at the fort or on Rattlesnake Island. Locations which have been used in the past include the boardwalk nature trail, the picnic area, ocean beach, and river beach.

Application

Research

A permit is required for any collection of data or physical items. Contact the Natural Resource Specialist for more information.

Commercial Use Authorization

All businesses who wholly or partly provide commercial services at the parks must obtain a commercial use authorization. Click here for more information and application.

Special Events - Only events that have a meaningful association with the park or contribute to visitor understanding of the significance of the park will be permitted.

Filming, Still Photography & Audio Recording

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.

Key elements of the new law include:

  • 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 National Park Service.
  • 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.
Please contact the park at e-mail us for more information about filming, still photography, and audio recording.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

 

School Group Reservations:

Education groups and partner orginzations are welcome. Please call the park at 904 471-0116 to make a reservation. For more information see the education page.

Last updated: May 15, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

8635 A1A South
Saint Augustine, FL 32080

Phone:

904 471-0116

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