Film, Photography, and Sound Recording Permits

Changes to Filming Permits on Park Lands

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.

 

 

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.

Still Photography Workshops

• Commercial photography tours are not a permitted activity in Glacier National Park. Individuals or companies wishing to provide photography workshops that focus on instruction of photography skills please visit our Commercial Use Authorization webpage.

 

Fees

Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for filming and still photography activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring the permitted activities.

Application Fees

The filming/photography application fee for groups over 8 at Glacier National Park s $125. Please do not pay the application fee until directed to do so by the Special Park Uses Office.

The application fee includes three hours of administrative time; including phone calls, correspondence, application review, and project consultation, scheduling park staff, permit issuance, follow-up and billing. Additional administrative time will be billed for costs incurred.

Location Fees

Federal law also requires the National Park Service to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for filming and for still photography.

Monitoring Fees

Glacier National Park staff will be required to monitor certain filming, photography and sound recording activities. Upon approval of the application, if it is deemed that a monitor should be assigned to your project, there will be a cost recovery charge based on the monitor’s hourly rate from the time they start at their duty station until they return from monitoring and mileage associated. The assignment and estimate will be provided prior to the final permit being issued and the balance calculated after the activity is completed.

 

How to Apply

Download and fill out the special use permit application to go along with your non-refundable application fee (see Application Fee above).

Applications must be emailed to glac_sup @nps.gov

Filming, photography, and sound recording permits are considered in the order they are received. Allow 2 to 4 weeks (depending on project type and the volume of requests) to process an application and issue a permit.

 

Contact Us

Feel free to email us at glac_sup @nps.gov with questions.