Special Use Permits

 

What is a Special Event?

Special events are activities such as weddings, memorial services, spectator attractions, ceremonies, large group camps or rendezvous, and organized filming and photography shoots which fall under the category of privileges.

Are First Amendment Activities a Special Event?

Special events differ from public assemblies and public meetings in that the latter activities are rights protected by the First Amendment. Depending on size, this activity may still need a permit. Learn more about First Amendment activities here LINK

Who Needs a Permit?

The authority for the management of special events in a national park site can be found in Title 54, U.S. Code and Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, 2.50. Also, the 2006 National Park Service Management Policies and Director's Order 53 Special Park Uses provide policy guidance for management of special event activities.

The following guidelines are established by the 2006 National Park Service Management Policies as they relate to special event activities within this unit of the National Park Service.

A special park use is 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 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;

• Is not managed under a concession contract.

Special use permits for special events will not be issued, if in the opinion of the Superintendent, the special event will:

• Cause injury or damage to park resources.

• Be contrary to the purposes for which the park was established, or unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural or cultural locations within the park.

• Unreasonably interfere with the interpretive, visitor service, or other program activities, or with administrative activities.

• Substantially impair the operation of public facilities or services of NPS concessionaire or contractors.

• Present a clear and present danger to public health and safety.

• Result in significant conflict with other existing uses.

 

Special Park Uses That May Require a Permit

 

Weddings and Ceremonies

Weddings and Ceremonies require a Special Use Permit to be conducted on Isle Royale National Park’s lands and waters.

Please read the information under “Before Applying” and “Applying for a Permit” below and follow the instructions for completing an application.

Conditions

Weddings with a participant/attendee size equal to or less than the Park’s camping permit group size conditions are as follows:

• Weddings are not permitted in Isle Royale National Park Wilderness[LH2] 
• Weddings in non-wilderness areas are not limited by location, except on concessioner assigned land and archaeological sites.
• Ceremonies are limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.
• Equipment such as tables, carpets, tents, floral displays, generators, banners, signs, and other props and/or decorations are not permitted. Chairs may be requested to accommodate mobility impaired visitors. Superintendent approval must be received and noted in the description.
• Amplified music, vocals, or other noise is not permitted. No artificial lighting, including battery or flame lighting, may be used.
• The use of real flowers or vegetation in any manner is not permitted.
• No items may be thrown or released, including balloons, rice, or confetti.
• Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones) are not permitted.

Weddings with a maximum of 25 participants/attendees are restricted to the following locations and conditions:

Outside Rock Harbor Lighthouse (Service Only):

• There may be no more than 25 participants/attendees for the permitted event, including the wedding party, photographer etc.
• Permitted weddings will only be allowed within daylight hours and will be a maximum of two hours, including setup and cleanup time.
• Permitted weddings time may not overlap with Sandy Tours.
• The use of the eroding bluff behind the beach to the east of the lighthouse is excluded from this approved location due to impact and safety concerns.
• Attendees must not touch or move any artifacts or other historic objects.
• Permitted wedding services under this PCE must take place outside of the lighthouse building.

Washington Harbor Pavilion/Dock Area:

• There may be no more than 25 attendees for the permitted event, including the wedding party.
• Permitted wedding service will only be allowed within daylight hours and will be a maximum of 15 minutes.
• Weddings may use half the picnic tables as seating.
• Permitted wedding time may not interfere with Ranger III, Voyager II, or Sea Hunter III ferry operations.

Weddings at these locations must also both follow these above listed conditions:

• No amplified music or sound may be used. No artificial lighting, including battery or flame lighting, may be used.
• The use of real flowers or vegetation in any manner is not permitted.
• No items may be thrown or released, including balloons, rice, or confetti.
• Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones) are not permitted.
• A minimum of one (1) NPS ranger-monitor may be present during all phases, including set-up and takedown of all equipment. SUP Holder will be charged cost recovery.
• Normal user fees apply to all persons associated with this permit unless otherwise stated under “Other authorized fee."

Special Events

Many special events require a Special Use Permit to be conducted on Isle Royale National Park’s lands and waters.

Please review the information under 'Before Applying' and 'Applying for a Permit' sections below and follow the provided instructions to complete your application.

Conditions

• Liability Insurance Certificate in the amount of $1,000,000 listing the United States as additional insured may be required. The insurance must be negotiable in US funds.
• Events are not permitted in Isle Royale National Park Wilderness.
• Utmost care will be exercised by the permittee to ensure that no natural, historic, or cultural features are injured, and that area be cleaned up and restored to its prior condition.
• Any special instructions received from the official in charge of the area will be complied with.
• Any additional information relating to the privilege applied for by this application will be furnished upon request of the official in charge.
• No employee of the National Park Service may work for the Permittee in any capacity whatsoever while in uniform or if directly involved in supervision of the Permittee.
• No personal gratuity of any nature whatsoever will be offered to any employee of the Government in connection with the exercise of the privilege granted.
• The Permittee, in exercising the privileges granted by this permit, shall comply with the regulations of the Department of Interior, the National Park Service, and all Federal, State, county and municipal laws, ordinances or regulations which are applicable to the area of operations covered by this permit.
• This permit is a revocable permit and may be revoked in the discretion of the Director of the National Park Service or his designee upon 24 hours notice, or without notice if damage to resources or facilities is threatened, not withstanding any other term or condition of the permit to the contrary.
• This permit is valid for activities occurring in Isle Royale National Park and does not permit activities on any other lands or waters administered by any other state or federal land management agency, private land or other units of the National Park Service.
• The designated area shall remain open to park visitors.  Other Park visitors shall not be requested to move themselves, their boats or alter their selected activities by the Permittee.
• The Permittee and his designee/representatives shall avoid any inference, written, spoken, or printed, of any connection, either official or unofficial, with the National Park Service and/or its activities.
• No banners, steamers or hanging objects will be allowed for event.  Nothing shall be attached to any natural or historic object or any National Park Service sign, bench, post, building or facility.
• Sound amplification and/or audio devices are not permitted.  Vocal communication with the public shall not exceed normal conversational volume.
• Park visitor center, restrooms, and other buildings (except for lodge facilities Permittee may be staying in) may not be used for the event.  These facilities cannot be used in the event of inclement weather.
• Equipment such as tables, chairs, carpets, tents, floral displays, and generators cannot be in the park.
• Boat docking is allowed in designated areas only. 
• Normal user fees apply to all persons associated with this permit unless otherwise stated under “Other authorized fee."

First Amendment Activities

If you are planning a First Amendment activity with a group size of more than 25 you may require a Special Use Permit.

First Amendment activities must take place in park approved first amendment locations:

• Houghton, MI – Southwest corner of the Park waterfront 
• Isle Royale National Park, Rock Harbor – Rock Harbor Marina – Flags 
• Isle Royale National Park, Washington Harbor – Southwest Washington Harbor Pavilion 

Conditions

• The number of participants shall not exceed 150.
• Park visitors may not be requested to move themselves or alter their selected activities by the permittee. Under absolutely no circumstances will said visitors be offered compensation of any type to so alter their activities. Such action will result in the immediate revocation of this permit.
• No money may be collected at the site.
• Park visitor center, restrooms, and other buildings (except if lodge facilities are reserved and the Washington Harbor designated first amendment location) may not be used for the event.  These facilities cannot be used in the event of inclement weather.
• No tables, chairs, carpets, tents, banners, floral and/or other live vegetation displays, streamers or hanging objects will be allowed.  Nothing shall be attached to any natural or historic object or any National Park Service sign, bench, post, building or facility.
• Equipment such as generators and sound amplification and/or audio devices are not permitted.  Vocal communication with the public shall not exceed normal conversational volume.
• Carts are restricted to paved roads and parking areas. Off-road travel is not authorized.
• Drones are not permitted.
• The Permittee and his designee/representatives shall avoid any inference, written, spoken, or printed, of any connection, either official or unofficial, with the National Park Service and/or its activities.
• A minimum of one (1) NPS ranger-monitor may be present during all phases, including set-up and takedown of all equipment.
• Notification must be given to the Special Park Use Coordinator at least one (1) month prior to the event. Such notification shall include the times of arrival and departure of individuals associated with the event.

Memorials

Ash scattering requires a Memorial Letter (permit) to be conducted on Isle Royale National Park land.

The interested party must provide the special park uses coordinator with the location, date, and time of scattering. This request is reviewed and, provided the planed activity does not impact other visitor's or natural and/or cultural resources, may be approved by the Superintendent. Upon approval the interested party will receive a Memorial Permit Letter (signed by the superintendent) that includes a map of the approved location, date, time, and the following conditions that must be met.

The following conditions apply to all memorialization in Isle Royale National Park:

• Only human cremains may be scattered in the park. The scattering of other cremains is prohibited.

• Ashes must be fully refined with no detectable remains and shall not be distinguishable to the public.

• The permittee recognizes and is aware of the sensitivity of this activity and agrees to perform it is a discreet and private manner.

• When scattering cremains any natural resources such as rocks or vegetation should not be moved or disturbed in any way.

• Cremains containers must be removed, and no memorial (plotted plants, flowers, markers, monument, or rocks) may be placed at the site.

• The permittee recognizes that the National Park Service (NPS) does not commit to treating the area as sacred or as a burial ground or cemetery. Park uses, operations and programs will be continued without regard to the presence of the cremains.

• Permittee will be responsible for security and orderly behavior at the event.

• Access to the area must be kept open to the public and the memorialization cannot interfere with normal visitor activity in any manner. The Park will not exclude nor allow you to exclude other park visitors from the site during the ceremony.

• The scattering of cremains from the air is prohibited.

Depending on group size and planed memorial activities a Special Event SUP may be required. If deemed necessary, this Memorial SUP would include all event conditions and fee requirements.

Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recordings

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 non-wilderness 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.

• If you are planning a photography workshop as a business, you may need a commercial use authorization (CUA). Please contact Isle Royale’s Special Park Use’s Coordinator for more information.

All filming, photography, and audio recordings occurring in the wilderness require a Special Use Permit at Isle Royale National Park.

Please contact the SPU Coordinator for more information about filming, still photography, and audio recording at Isle Royale National Park.

 

Before Applying:

 

How far in advance must I contact the park?

All applications will be handled in the order they are received. Standard requests are processed in 30 business days. Requests that involve multiple locations, complex logistics, and coordination with other NPS divisions or visitor activities may require a longer process time. Permits for projects that need additional environmental compliance will also take a longer time to process.

The application fee is $50. This does not include additional cost recovery fees including permit processing and location fees (must be paid prior to receiving a finalized permit) and monitoring and interview cost recovery (can be billed before finalizing the permit or after the use depending on activity).

What activities are prohibited with my permit?

When conducting Special Use Activities in Isle Royale with a permit, you are subject to all the laws and regulations that apply inside the park.

The following activities are not permitted in a National Park:

Please read all regulations carefully as your permit application may be denied if it contains any of the activities below.

• Use of drones or other unmanned aircraft.

• Using a mineral or metal detector.

• Use of public address systems and sound amplification equipment.

• Viewing wildlife with artificial light (including infrared and black lights).

• Brandishing or discharging a firearm, real or prop, unless use of a firearm prop has been specifically authorized in your permit. 

• Filming or photographing park employees unless otherwise specified in your permit.

• Unduly interfering or conflicting with visitors’ normal use and enjoyment of the park, including blocking visitor access to an area.

Will my activity require a monitor?

Many permits require full-time or intermittent monitoring for the protection of resources and visitor experience. This will be determined by the Office of Special Park Uses based on your application.

If monitors are required, your permit will only be issued subject to availability of monitors on the dates and at the locations requested.

Fees associated with monitoring will be reviewed at the time of processing. These fees are determined based on cost recovery of staffs’ time. They may be requested before or after the activity as determined by the Park.

 

Applying for a Special Use Permit:

 

How do I apply for a permit?

1. Email e-mail us to request a Special Use Permit application and submit the completed application at least 30 days in advance of your requested dates for small events or 120 days for large events or event open to the public.

2. After the Special Park Uses Coordinator receives your application, they will send you information on paying the non-refundable application fee. This fee will be taken over the phone.

3. Upon payment, the SPU Coordinator will ensure all needed information is received and any questions you might have are answered.

4. Your permit will then be processed. The SPU Coordinator will inform you of applicable costs recovery fees and set up a time for you to make payment*.

5. Upon receiving payment, a permit containing use specific terms and conditions will be emailed you. This permit must be signed by the responsible person and returned to the park for final approval by the Park Superintendent. This permit is not valid and the activity may not begin until it contains both signatures.

6. As applicable, after your permitted activity, the Office of Special Park Uses will send information on paying any remaining costs, ex. Monitoring.

Please note:

If there is no contact from an applicant for 30 days after the application is submitted, the file will be closed. Any future contact with that applicant will require initiating the process from the beginning.

*All costs of evaluating the request will be billed to the applicant, whether a permit is issued or not. In compliance with the requirements of the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, the applicant must submit their social security number or Federal tax ID number when filling out the application for permit. Application will not be processed if submitted incomplete or are received without payment.

What fees do I have to pay?

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. The application fee must be paid prior to Park review of your application. The total amount will vary depending on the size and complexity of your permit.

Application fee: $50.00

The application fee must be submitted with your application. This is a processing fee and is non-refundable. 

Hourly fee: approximately $75/hour

The exact hourly fee is based on the specific employee’s total cost to the tax payer (salary + benefits) and may be charged if any of the following activities are required for your permit: 

• Administrative: All routine permit processing and any activity that is particularly complex is subject to the hourly fee. This fee covers additional administrative time needed beyond the hour review of the initial application. This rate does not preclude any of the other fees and is applied per hour/per staff member.

• Monitoring: Activities authorized by permit may require continuous, on-site supervision by the NPS to assure full compliance with all conditions of the permit. Monitoring will be charged at the billing rate of each individual monitor per hour/per monitor with a minimum of two hours per monitor/per day. The level and type of monitoring supervision will be determined by the scope and complexity of the filming activity. Generally, one monitor is required for every 8 people involved with the project.

• 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.

Filming and Photography 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. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedules for filming and photography (for complex projects that require more oversight and management):

• 1–10 people - $150/day

• 11–30 people - $250/day

• 31–49 people - $500/day

• Over 50 people - $750/day

Government Vessel Mileage Fee: $0.70/mile

Depending on activity the applicant may be charged a $.70/mile on government vessels used for monitoring and other activities associated with your permit.

User Fees

The issuance of an SUP does not absolve the applicant of any other Park required  Visitor Use fees or Park permits. Please check out the following links to ensure all Visitor Use Fees are paid and permits are acquired.

Additional questions?

Contact the Office of Special Park Uses at e-mail us with any additional questions you may have. A ranger will be in touch with you within 3-5 business days.

 

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  Commercial Services

  View the organizations and businesses that are authorized to provide visitor services in the park.

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  Commercial Use Authorizations

  Commerical Use Authorizations are required for any groups and operations providing goods or services to the general public within the park.

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  Group Camping

  Groups of 7 or more people need a group camping permit and advance reservations.