Permits & Reservations

A wedding party at the north overlook.
Scotts Bluff National Monument is a great venue for your event.

NPS - Gant

 

Whether you are planning a field trip for a school or a wedding, Scotts Bluff National Monument has much to offer. In order to provide the best experience possible it is necessary for you or your organization to complete an application for special use of the park. Schools may request a ranger talk, a living history program along with traveling to the top of the bluff by vehicle or foot. Scroll to the bottom of the page for information about making a group reservation. Scotts Bluff National Monument offers a number of locations for weddings, commitment ceremonies, charity races, concerts, and other events.

Oregon Trail Days Bicycle Hill Climb
As part of the annual celebration of Oregon Trail Days, the Bicycle Hill Climb takes place on the Summit Road before it opens to motorized vehicles.

NPS


The Special Use Permit

The permit system is intended to help assure, to the extent possible, that the activities that may be taking place on any given day will not conflict with each other or with general visitor activities.

Please note that all applications, unless determined to be a First Amendment activity, must be accompanied by a payment for initial processing. The application processing cost for special use applications is $50. These activities require some degree of management from the National Park Service if there is the potential for interference with visitor use, congestion of a highly visited area, or possible impact on park resources.

Payment of application cost may be in the form of check, money order or credit card.

 
Marathon runner passing Dome Rock
The Monument Marathon helps fund the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation, which grants approximately $350,000.00 annually in scholarships to WNCC students. The WNCC Foundation also provides funding for educational improvements to Western Nebraska Community College, which has three campuses

Photo courtesy of Spectrum photography


Special Events

A special use permit is required for activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large and that require some degree of management from the National Park Service to protect park resources and the public interest. Some examples of special events that require permits are:

 

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are constitutional rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. Some examples of special events that require permits are:

  • distribution and/or sale of printed matter
  • religious services
  • public demonstrations or assemblies, etc.
  • collecting signatures for petitions


 
Wedding in amphitheater

Ryan Trupp Photography


Weddings

Scotts Bluff National Monument offers a number of locations that can be used for a wedding or commitment ceremony such as the park amphitheater or one of the scenic overlooks.

Wedding permits include specific conditions that protect the park’s resources. Please read carefully to determine whether your ceremony will be possible at Scotts Bluff National Monument. We have worked to address the key points required for arranging a ceremony in the park. You will be required to read and sign the permit. Please read the Wedding Conditions to see if your ceremony plans meet these conditions.

Normal entrance fees apply to all vehicles associated with the ceremony. Carpooling is strongly encouraged as parking space is limited.

 

Special Use Permit Application

If you believe Scotts Bluff National Monument would be a good place for your special event please complete the following form and submit it by mail or in person at the park visitor center. When submitting your special use application include the $50 processing fee . If you have any questions that have not been answered on this page, please call the park at 308-436-9700 or contact us by e-mail.

Special Use Permit Application

 

Reservations


All groups, regardless of the purpose of their visit, need to make a reservation so that rangers are aware of any special needs. It also gives us a chance to let groups know if there are any issues that may impact their visit. To make a reservation, please call the monument at (308) 436-9700 or fill out the Education Reservation Request Form.

Instructions for filling out the Education Reservation Request Form

The form has fillable fields and can be filled out on your computer or other device.

  1. Fill in Section 1: Contact Information. Please be sure not to leave any of the fields blank. Not a school group? Instead of "school" information, fill in these fields with information about your organization.
  2. Fill in Section 2: Group Details- Park Visit/Field Trip. Please do not leave any of the fields blank. For the field labeled "Program or Subject Requested/Self Guided" your options include: Explore Visitor Center (takes about 20 to 30 minutes), Watch Park Film (15 minutes), Drive Summit Road (45 minutes), Ranger Program (20 to 30 minutes covering various topics), Hiking Trails (self-guided), Picnic Area (3 small tables), or Step On Guide (Ranger boards bus to talk on the drive up the Summit Road). Other services may be available, call 308-436-9700 to talk to a park ranger for suggestions.
  3. Skip Section 3: Group Details- Ranger In Classroom Program for group visits.
  4. Skip Section 4: Group Details - Virtual/Distance Learning Program *Scotts Bluff National Monument does not currently have fast enough internet to provide distance learning programs.
  5. Skip Section 5: Academic Fee Waiver *Scotts Bluff National Monument does not charge a fee for entry into the monument.
  6. The completed form can be emailed to us at scbl_ranger_activities@nps.gov. You may also mail the form to the monument at:

Scotts Bluff National Monument
Education Reservation Request
P.O. Box 27
Gering, NE 69341

PLEASE NOTE: Your group is not scheduled to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument until you have received either telephone, or email confirmation. Please schedule any visit a minimum of two weeks in advance. We look forward to seeing your group at the monument!

Last updated: January 26, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 27
Gering, NE 69341

Phone:

308 436-9700

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