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Special use permits allow visitors to have special events at our park, such as weddings, concerts, lectures, and cultural festivities.
Are you interested in hosting an event at our park, running tours through our park, or performing research at San Juan Island National Historical Park? If so, you'll need a permit so that you know what regulations apply to these activities and so that we can help make it possible. On these pages, you can find the information your looking for to have special events and research in our park.
Special Use Permit
The Special Use Permit (SUP) authorizes activities that benefit an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large; and that require written authorization and management control in order to protect park resources and the public interest.
A SUP is required for any organized activity or event involving more than 12 people. Maximum group size is dependant on the activity and specific site capacities. This limit is based on limited parking and facilities, potential conflict with other visitor activities, and impacts to natural and cultural resources.
Types of permitted activities include:
Weddings
Picnics
Scattering of ashes
First Amendment activities
Wedding locations:
Parade Grounds Venue (American Camp)
7am-4pm Availability
Maximum of 100 participants
Permit required regardless of party size
No more than two parking spots for the permit holder
All other participants must arrive by bus or taxi
Small shade tents permitted, but no ground stakes allowed
Light refreshments permitted
South Beach Venue (American Camp)
Maximum of 24 participants
Group sizes under 12 do not require a permit
No more than two parking spots for the permit holder
All other participants must arrive by bus or taxi
No third party chairs, pop-up tents, alters, or decorations.
No amplified music.
Light refreshments permitted
Fourth of July Beach Venue (American Camp)
7am-4pm Availability
Maximum of 24 participants
Group sizes under 12 do not require a permit
No more than two parking spots for the permit holder
All other participants must arrive by bus or taxi
No third party chairs, pop-up tents, alters, or decorations.
No amplified music.
Light refreshments permitted
Officers' Hill Venue (English Camp)
Maximum of 24 participants
Group sizes under 12 do not require a permit
No more than two parking spots for the permit holder
All other participants must arrive by bus or taxi
No third party chairs, pop-up tents, alters, or decorations.
Fees are waived for First Amendment Activities and scattering of ashes.
Filming and Still Photography
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 - the EXPLORE Act. 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.
How do I apply for a permit?
Permit applications can be found below. Submit a completed application at least four weeks in advance. Do not send payment until you are contacted by the park. If your proposed activity is unusual, you should request a phone call with park staff. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the submitted application in a timely manner. A permit application for commercial filming can be found here: Home - Commercial Use Authorization
