Permits & Reservations

Camping
Camping in Mojave National Preserve is first-come, first-served everywhere except for the Black Canyon Group and Equestrian campground. Call [phone] to make a reservation for the group or equestrian campsite.

Basic Permit Information
Permits are required to conduct various activities including, but not limited to:

• Recreational events with groups with 7 or more horses or vehicles (including motorcycles), or with 25 or more people
• College field trips with 25 or more students
• Equestrian rides with 7 or more horses
• Installation of game or trail camera(s)
• Organized events such as sports events, entertainment, or ceremonies
• Public assemblies, meetings gatherings, demonstrations, parades, and other public expressions of view when more than 25 persons are involved
• Livestock use
• Scattering of human ashes from cremation
• Operating commercial vehicles
• Commercial filming
• Commercial still photography with sets, props or models
• Commercial audio recording where members of the public are generally not allowed; involving equipment that requires mechanical transport; involving equipment that requires an external power source other than a battery pack; or requiring management and oversight of the permitted activity
• Construction, such as maintenance and repairs on utilities with authorized rights-of-way

Costs include a non-refundable application fee, plus possible administrative processing and monitoring costs. Proof of insurance and posting of a bond may also be required. Allow two weeks for common recreational activities such as group camping or group tours of the Mojave Road. More complex requests such as sporting events or construction will require more time to review; contact Mojave National Preserve, Special Park Uses Office for more information.

Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permits
A Commercial Filming/Still Photography Permit is required for any filming or photography that includes the use of sets, props or models, requires entry into a closed area, or requires access to the park after normal working hours.

Costs include a non-refundable application fee, administrative processing and monitoring costs, and location fees. Location fees may be waived for documentary projects with two people, one camera, and one vehicle. Proof of insurance and posting of a bond may be required. Contact Mojave National Preserve, Special Park Uses Office for more information and allow at least one month for commercial filming/still photography requests.

Commercial Use Authorizations

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) authorizes appropriate commercial services to Preserve visitors in limited circumstances. A CUA may be issued only for services that:

• Are determined to be an appropriate use of Mojave National Preserve;
• Will have minimal impact on park resources and values; and
• Are consistent with the purpose for which the Preserve was established, as well as all applicable management plans, park policies and regulations.

Commercial uses include businesses that provide any or all goods, activities, services, agreements or other things offered to the general public which take place at least in part in the park, uses park resources, and are undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit to an individual, organization, or corporation, whether or not such entity is organized for purposes recognized as non-profit under local, state or Federal law. Commercial service providers may not require waivers of liability, but may have their customers agree to a Visitor Acknowledgement of Risk.

Costs include a non-refundable application fee and possible administrative monitoring. Proof of insurance is required; instructions are provided in the application form. Posting of a bond might also be required. Contact Mojave National Preserve, Special Park Uses Office for more information.

Road Based Commercial Tours require CUAs to operate in Mojave National Preserve. Activities considered Road-Based Commercial Tours:

• Have one or more persons;
• Travel on an improved roadway;
• Follow an itinerary packaged, priced or sold by a third party for leisure/recreational purposes; and
• Provide no other services except those incidental to road-based travel in a national park unit (e.g., on-board interpretation, incidental stops at visitor centers, restaurants, wayside exhibits, etc.).

All Commercial Use Authorization holders must complete and submit monthly and annual survey reports.

Cost Recovery
Special use permits have application fees plus processing and monitoring costs. Commercial filming/still photography permits additionally have location fees. Permit fees and costs are waived for educational groups, and location fees waived for small documentary shoots.
Commercial use authorizations have non-refundable application fees and can also have administrative management fees. CUAs for road-based commercial tours have non-refundable application fees plus $5 per person for visitors aged 16 and older.
All fees and costs must be paid before a permit may be issued.

Payment Options
Permit fees and costs may be paid by electronic transaction or check.
To pay by credit card, submit the application, then email or call [phone] for a reference number. This number is required for all Mojave National Preserve transactions in www.pay.gov.
To pay by check, submit payment with the application. Make checks payable to National Park Service.

Forms & Inquiries
Special Use Permit Application
Commercial Vehicle Special Use Permit Application
Commercial Filming/Still Photography Short Form Application
Commercial Filming/Still Photography Long Form Application
Commercial Use Authorization Application
Commercial Use Authorization Monthly Survey Form
Commercial Use Authorization Annual Survey Form
Visitor Acknowledgement of Risk


For more information, send an email or call [phone].

Scientific Research & Collecting Permit

A permit is required to engage in research activities within the park. To apply for a research and collecting permit, visit the NPS Research Permit and Reporting System webpage. The RPRS website has information on necessary procedures and requirements.