National Parks have specific spaces for certain activities. The designated 1st Amendment space at Paterson Great Falls NHP is the north side of the Overlook Parking Lot (indicated by red outline) at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson NJ 07501. See below for further details.
Map courtesy Google Earth
Permits
Certain activities within all National Park Service (NPS) areas require a special use permit. This enables the National Park Service to ensure safety and monitor and regulate the use of parks while simultaneously conserving the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife within park boundaries.
The decision to require a permit rests with the park superintendent based on potential impacts to park resources or the visitor experience. Please do not submit an application and the required $75.00 processing fee before emailing the Permit Coordinator to discuss your desired activity. It's possible that we might not be able to honor your request, and/or your desired date/time/location is already taken.
Filming and Photography
You generally do NOT need a permit for your personal filming and personal photography activities within normal visitation areas and hours. However, filming outside normal visitation locations and hours requires a permit.
Please note that individual parks may require a permit for non-commercial filming if necessary to manage the activity, to protect park resources and values, minimize conflict between user groups, or to ensure public safety.
Drones (Unmanned Aircraft)
Please be aware that launching, landing & operating drones on National Park Service lands is NOT permitted without written approval by the park superintendent (36 CFR 1.5). Additionally, it is not likely that the National Park Service would approve a drone request unless it is for an activity such as emergency search and rescue operations or for a park-sanctioned research or science project.
Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)
Section 418 of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998, Public Law 105-391, authorizes (but does not require) NPS, upon request, to issue commercial use authorizations to persons (referring to individuals, corporations, and other entities) to provide commercial services to park visitors in limited circumstances. CUAs, although used to authorize commercial services to park visitors, are NOT Concession Contracts. They are intended to provide a simple means to authorize suitable commercial services to visitors in the park in the limited circumstances in the legislation. Note that it is extremely uncommon for Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to issue a CUA.
General National Park Service Information on Permits
"The National Park Service...shall promote and regulate the use of ... national parks ... [its] purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." (16 U.S.C. 1) It is the policy of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to allow special events when and where possible, while adhering to this mandate. Primary consideration will be given to potential resource damage and to anticipated disruption of normal public use.
A special activity, or special park use, is a short-term activity that takes place in a park area and:
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 to protect park resources and the public interest.
Is not prohibited by law or regulation.
Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the National Park Service.
A permit issued by the superintendent is required. National Park Service (NPS) regulations authorize the conducting of special events provided:
There is a meaningful association between the park area and the event;
The observance contributes to visitor understanding of the significance of the park, and
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.
A request for a special event permit may be denied if in the opinion of the superintendent, the special event will:
Create an unacceptable impact on park resources or values; or
Are contrary to the purposes for which the park was established, or
Unreasonably disrupt the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in wilderness, natural, historic, or commemorative locations within the park; or
Unreasonably interfere with the interpretive programs, visitor activities, visitor services, or with the administrative activities of the NPS; or
Substantially interfere with the operation of public facilities/services of NPS concessioners or contractors; or
Create an unsafe or unhealthy environment for visitors or employees; or
Result in conflict with other existing uses.
Please Note: Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park may not be issuing permits for small weddings and wedding photos. For further information on filming and photography in the park, see the “Filming & Still Photography Permits” section below.
Still Photography Permits
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 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.
Please contact the park you are visiting for more information about filming, still photography, and audio recording in that park.
Please carefully review the information found at the link immediately above for the current National Park Service guidance regarding filming and still photography permits. After you have reviewed the information, please contact the Permit Coordinator with any questions you have regarding filming and still photography at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.
Please note that Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park no longer conducts calendar checks for grounds availability for portrait photography sessions. Use of the grounds for non-permit portrait photography sessions is on a first-come, first-served, non-exclusive basis, with the current visitor regulations applying. Some of the visitor regulations include:
No littering, including throwing rice, flower petals, or confetti of any kind (e.g., biodegradable paper, plastic, glitter, etc.)
Do NOT move any of the outdoor furniture (e.g., benches) or any other moveable features.
We request that photographers NOT schedule more than two groups of clients (e.g., family groups) per day. This is to help maintain a more equitable use of the grounds. Please be aware that since the waterfall is not illuminated, it is adviseable to take pictures after sunrise and before sunset. The best time to visit to avoid crowds is early in the morning on weekdays.
All photographers and filmers, no matter the size, must comply with all rules that apply in park areas, just like other visitors.
What if I need a permit?
Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for commercial 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. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of the permitted activities. The application fee must be submitted with your application.
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 commercial filming and for still photography requires a permit. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedules for filming and photography:
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
You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States 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.
Costs and Process
If you require a permit, you must first submit a permit application. Special Park Use, Filming and Still Photography permit applications require a $75.00 non-refundable application fee and is required before the application can be considered. Other fees may apply as well. Information provided on applications is used to determine whether a permit will be issued. You will be notified of the disposition of the application and the steps to secure a final permit. Please allow a minimum of four weeks for processing.
You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States 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.
First Amendment Rights
Groups with fewer than 25 participants may exercise their First Amendment Rights without a permit. These small groups may assemble peacefully, however, they must be in a designated First Amendment area. These areas are designated to protect the safety of the participants, as well as park visitors and park resources. The map at the top of the page is an areial view identifying the park's freedom of speech area.
Groups larger than 25 participants may still exercise their rights, however, a permit with conditions will be required. There are no fees or cost recovery associated with permits issued for First Amendment assemblies. Conditions are required to protect the participants as well as park visitors and park resources. In no way will conditions be imposed to restrict the rights of the permit holder. The National Park Service is content-neutral regarding any First Amendment Activity.
If you would like to learn how to submit a request for a group tour of the park, or have a staff member visit your group offsite, please visit our Program Reservation page.
If you are an educator, and would like to learn more about our field trip tours and classroom programs, please visit our Education page.
