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Filming along the Grand Avenue Tour Route inside Mammoth Cave.
NPS Photo
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.
What fees will 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 submitted with your application.
The application processing fee for Mammoth Cave National Park is $180.
In addition, 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 requires a permit. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedules:
Filming
1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day
1–10 people - $150/day
11–30 people - $250/day
31–49 people - $500/day
Over 50 people - $750/day
Still Photography
1–10 people - $50/day
11–30 people - $150/day
Over 30 people - $250/day
Are there other permit requirements?
You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States of America as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.
Filming at the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave.
NPS Photo
How to Apply
Applications must be completed on the appropriate form, signed by the applicant, and accompanied by a non-refundable application fee which can be paid online at Pay.gov or by check or money order payable to "National Park Service."
Applications are handled in the order they are received. Priority will not be given to urgent requests nor will the park reply by express mail. Requests which involve filming inside the cave, multiple locations, complex logistics, environmental compliance, or coordination with multiple NPS divisions or visitor activities may require additional processing time depending on the scale of the activity.
Requests for permits are evaluated based on the information in the application. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to attach maps, description of activity, check-in points, what support will be provided, etc. to assist the park staff in evaluating the request.
Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote controlled aircraft in Mammoth Cave National Park is prohibited.
Department of the Interior Secretary's Order 3379 mandates a cessation of all non-emergency unmanned aircraft. This order supercedes any existing regulations as of January 29, 2020 and will remain in effect until further notice.
Unmanned Aircraft defined: 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, drones) that are used for any purpose, including for recreation or commerce. Read more about unmanned aircraft in the national parks.
Contact Us
Contact us for questions or more information about filming and photography in the park or send completed applications to the address’ below.
