Permits & Reservations

Special Use Permits

A Special Use Permit (SUP) is required for activities on park land, Coldwater Spring and nine river islands, that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large, and that require written authorization and some degree of management control in order to protect park resources and the public interest.

Examples include (but are not limited to) special events, organized runs, large gatherings, demonstrations, commercial photography, weddings, ceremonies, scattering of ashes, First Amendment activities, and rights-of-way/easements.

Special Use Permits are granted for a specific period of time and location. Certain fees, bonding and insurance requirements may apply.

See the Superintendent's Compendium 36 CFR §1.6 –Activities that Require a Permit.

 

How to Apply

Permit applications may be submitted through mail, telephone, e-mail, or in person at park headquarters. A completed application and the non-refundable application fee of $65 are required before an application can be processed. We suggest contacting us prior to applying.

The information on the application will be used by NPS staff to evaluate the impact of the propsed activity on park resources and visitors. You must allow sufficient time for the park to process your request. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

Applications will be returned to the applicant if submitted incomplete, cannot be approved as submitted, or are received without payment or without a social security number or Federal Tax Identification Number. The application fee is non-refundable.

Application for Special Park Use Permit

Special Park Use Coordinator	Telephone: [phone]
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area	FAX: [phone]
111 E Kellogg Blvd., Suite 105	Website: www.nps.gov/miss
Saint Paul, MN 55101	E-mail: [e-mail]

Please allow sufficient time for the park to process your request (3-4 weeks).

The National Park Service WILL NOT issue a permit if the proposed activity:

• Impairs park resources
• Impairs visitor use
• Is contrary to the purposes for which the park was established
• Unreasonably impairs the atmosphere of locations within the park
• Unreasonably interferes with NPS activities, programs, or events
• Presents a clear and present danger to public health and safety
• Results in significant conflict with other existing uses

The National Park Service will not permit the public staging of special events that are conducted primarily for the material or financial benefit of the organizers or participantsm or which involve commercialization or in-park advertising or publicity. Admission fees for the event or any other monies associated with the event may not be collected on park premises.

Cost Recovery

The authority for the National Park Service to recover and retain costs associated with managing special park uses is found at 16 U.S.C. 3a and 31 U.S.C. 9701. Charges established for a special park use under this authority are intended to recover costs associated with managing that activity and not to generate revenue beyond actual costs incurred. If any additional costs are incurred, the permittee will be billed at the conclusion of the permit.

Request Type	Application Fee	Administrative Fees	Monitoring
Special Use Permit	$65	Varies	Varies
Commercial Photography	$100	Varies	Varies
First Amendment	No fee	No fee	No cost

Application Cost	Must be submitted at the time of the initial application. This is a non-refundable payment.
Administration Cost	Payable when the permit is approved and prior to beginning the event. This is a non-refundable payment.
Monitoring Cost	If the event requires NPS supervision for resource protection of the health or safety of visitors, the cost will be estimated and payable when the permit is approved and prior to beginning the event. The scope and complexity of the permit activity will determine the level and type of supervision. The fee includes employee travel time to and from the event location.

Performance Bond

Certain activities may prompt the need for the permittee to post a refundable damage bond. The amount of the bond will be equivalent to the estimated cost to NPS for clean-up, repair or rehabilitation of resources or facilities that could potentially be impacted by the permit activities. At the conclusion of the permit, the bond will be returned to the permittee after costs of clean up, repair or rehabilitation are deducted.

Insurance

Liability insurance protects the government from negligent actions by the permittee. Insurance in an amount sufficient to protect the interests of the United States may be required as a condition of the permit. A high risk activity will always require insurnace. Insurance may be waived for a lower risk activity. If insurance is required:

• The insurance certificate must identify the group, not the applicant.

• The "United States Government" must be named as additionally insured on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the U.S. Government as a "certificate holder" only are not acceptable.

• Failure to provide proof of proper insurance is the reason for denial of the permit.

Seasonal Restrictions

Permit activities may be restricted based on weather or seasonal conditions.

Termination of Permit

Permits are "revocable" on 24 hours notice or WITHOUT NOTICE if the terms of the permit are violated. Deliberate infractions of the terms of the permit or the deliberate making of false or misleading statements concerning intended actions in order to obtain a permit are causes for immediate termination of the permit and cause for possible prosecution. Permits will be revoked if damage to resources or facilities is threatened, or if there is a clear danger to public health or safety.

Standard Permit Conditions

To maintain park natural and cultural resources and quality visitor experiences the following standard permit conditions will be included in the approved permit. Additional conditions may be applied.

1. The permittee is prohibited from giving false information; to do so will be considered a breach of conditions and be grounds for revocation: [36 CFR 2.32(a)(3)].
2. The permittee shall exercise this privilege subject to the supervision of the Superintendent or designee, and shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, county and municipal laws, ordinances, regulations, codes, and the terms and conditions of this permit. Failure to do so may result in the immediate suspension of the permitted activity or the termination of the permit.
3. If any provision of this permit shall be found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this permit shall not be affected and the other provisions of this permit shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.
4. The permittee is responsible for making all necessary contacts and arrangements with other Federal, State, and local agencies to secure required inspections, permits, licenses, etc.
5. Failure to comply with any of the terms and conditions of this permit may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit. Permittee will reimburse NPS for cleanup or repair of damages required to be made by NPS staff or contractor in conjunction with a terminated permit.
6. This permit may be revoked at the discretion of the Superintendent upon 24 hours notice, or without notice if damage to resources or facilities occurs or is threatened, notwithstanding any other term or condition of the permit to the contrary.
7. This permit is made upon the express condition that the United States, its agents and employees shall be free from all liabilities and claims for damages and/or suits for or by reason of any injury, injuries, or death to any person or persons or property of any kind whatsoever, whether to the person or property of the Permittee, its agents or employees, or third parties, from any cause or causes whatsoever while in or upon said premises or any part thereof during the term of this permit or occasioned by any occupancy or use of said premises or any activity carried on by the Permittee in connection herewith, and the Permittee hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless the United States, its agents, and employees from all liabilities, charges, expenses and costs on account of or by reason of any such injuries, deaths, liabilities, claims, suits or losses however occurring or damages growing out of the same.
8. Permittee agrees to carry general liability insurance against claims occasioned by the action or omissions of the permittee, its agents and employees in carrying out the activities and operations authorized by this permit. The policy shall be in the amount of $___________and underwritten by a United States company naming the United States of America as additionally insured. The permittee agrees to provide the Superintendent with a Certificate of Insurance with the proper endorsements prior to the effective date of the permit.
9. Permittee agrees to deposit with the park a bond in the amount of $____________ from an authorized bonding company or in the form of cash or cash equivalent, to guarantee that all financial obligations to the park will be met, including the restoration and rehabilitation of the permitted area.
10. Costs incurred by the park as a result of accepting and processing the application and managing and monitoring the permitted activity will be reimbursed by the permittee. Administrative costs and estimated costs for activities on site must be paid when the permit is approved. If any additional costs are incurred by the park, the permittee will be billed at the conclusion of the permit. Should the estimated costs paid exceed the actual costs incurred; the difference will be returned to the permittee.
11. The person named on the permit as in charge of the permitted activity on-site must have full authority to make any decisions about the activity and must remain on-site at all times. He/she shall be responsible for all individuals, groups, vendors, etc. involved with the permit.
12. The permittee represents and it is a condition of acceptance of this permit that, pursuant to 41 U.S. C. 22, “No Member of Congress shall be admitted to any share or part of any contract or agreement made, entered into, or accepted by or on behalf of the United States, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.”
13. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as binding the Service to expend in any one fiscal year any sum in excess of appropriations made by Congress or administratively allocated for the purpose of this permit for the fiscal year, or to involve the Service in any contract or other obligation for the further expenditure of money in excess of such appropriations or allocations.
14. This permit may not be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the Superintendent.

Commercial Photography

It is the policy of the National Park Service to encourage production to the fullest extent possible consistent with the protection of park resources and ensuring the enjoyment of those resources by the visiting public. A Commercial Photography permit is required. There is an $100 non-refundable application fee, possible performance bond (depending on the extent of the activity), location fees based on the size of the production, and reimbursement of all park costs in monitoring and administering the permit during production.

Application for Commercial Still Photography Permit

In addition to Cost Recovery, commercial photography are subject to a mandatory location fee. This fee is universal throughout the entire National Park Service.

Commercial Photography

Number of People	Cost per Day
1-10	$50
11-30	$150
Over 20	$250

 

Commercial Filming

Changes to Commercial Filming Permits on Park Land

On January 22, 2021, the US District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in Price v. Barr determining the permit and fee requirements applying to commercial filming under 54 USC 100905, 43 CFR Part 5, and 36 CFR Part 5 are unconstitutional. The National Park Service is currently determining how this decision will be implemented.

Following the recent court decision, the National Park Service will not be implementing or enforcing the commercial filming portions of 43 CFR Part 5 until further notice, including accepting applications, issuing permits, enforcing the terms and conditions of permits, issuing citations related to permits, or collecting cost recovery and location fees for commercial filming activities.

As regulations regarding commercial filming permits are being reassessed, those interested in commercial filming activities on land managed by the National Park Service are encouraged to contact the park directly for more information about filming in the park and to discuss how to minimize potential impacts to visitors and sensitive park resources.

Do I need a permit to film?

Currently, the National Park Service is not issuing commercial filming permits, but is in the process of evaluating how best to regulate filming activities that affect visitors and park resources. All applicable laws and regulations governing activities and public use in parks still apply, including park hours and areas open and closed to the public. Videographers, filmers, producers, directors, and other staff associated with commercial filming are reminded that rules and regulations that apply to all park visitors still apply to filming activities even if no permit is needed for their activity. Check with the park staff for more information on closures, sensitive resources, and other safety tips.

Are filmers still required to pay fees to film in parks?

As of January 22, 2021, the National Park Service is no longer collecting application or location fees, or cost recovery for filming.

Visit the National website for the most current information.