Permits

Make sure you contact the park before you plan your next film project or photography session.

Activities that may affect park operations, park resources, or the experience of visitors require a permit. Some activities that require permits include, but are not limited to:

• First Amendment Activities (Demonstrations, Literature Distribution, etc.)

• Weddings and Parties

• Commercial Activities (Road Service, Bus Tours, etc.)

Applications for permit activities are linked at the bottom of the page. All applications, except for First Amendment activities, require a fifty dollar ($50.00), non-refundable fee that does not guarantee permit approval.

The cost of a permitis calculated to recover personnel and resource management costs associated with the activity.

 

Still Photography

Still photography, including client sessions, may take place in areas adjacent to the park visitor center. Photographers and clients should park in the Recreational User lot. All participants in still photography activities that do not require a permit must obey all other park regulations including:

• no use of props, furniture or other items not already present in the park;
• participants remain out of naturalized areas such as tall grass fields; and
• participants do not impede traffic on roads and trails.

Still photography, other than casual visitor use, occurring in all other park areas, requires a permit.

Areas that require a permit include:

• All Tour Stops
• The McFadden Farm Unit
• Stones River National Cemetery,
• Redoubt Brannan, and
• Fortress Rosecrans.

Filming

The following types of filming activities may occur in areas open to the public without a permit and without advance notice to the NPS:

• Outdoor filming activities [outside of areas managed as wilderness] involving five persons or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras.

The organizer of any other type of filming activity must provide written notice to the Superintendent at least 10 days prior to the start of the proposed activity. Based upon the information provided, the Superintendent may require the organizer to apply for and obtain a permit if necessary to:

• maintain public health and safety;
• protect environmental or scenic values;
• protect natural or cultural resources;
• allow for equitable allocation and use of facilities; or
• avoid conflict among visitor use activities.

If the Superintendent determines that the terms and conditions of a permit could not mitigate the concerns identified above in an acceptable manner, the Superintendent may deny a filming request without issuing a permit. The Superintendent will provide the basis for denial in writing upon request.

The NPS will consider requests and process permit applications in a timely manner. Processing times will vary depending on the complexity of the proposed activity. If the organizer provides the required 10 day advance notice to the NPS and has not received a written response from the NPS that a permit is required prior to the first day of production, the proposed filming activities may occur without a permit.

The following are prohibited:

(1) Engaging in a filming activity without providing advance notice to the Superintendent when required.

(2) Engaging in a filming activity without a permit if [the activity takes place in areas managed as wilderness or if] the Superintendent has notified the organizer in writing that a permit is required.

(3) Violating a term and condition of a permit issued under this action.

Violating a term or condition of a permit issued under to this action may also result in the suspension and revocation of the permit by the Superintendent.

All participants in filming activities that do not require a permit must obey all other park regulations including:

• fifteen-minute parking limits at all tour stops;
• no use of props, furniture or other items not already present in the park;
• participants remain out of naturalized areas such as tall grass fields; and
• participants do not impede traffic on roads and trails.

 

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Permit Applications

Please contact the park to determine which permit you should fill out.

Special Park Use Permit (Short Form)
Special Park Use Permit (Long Form)
Still Photography Permit (Short Form)
Still Photography (Long Form)
Transportation and Utility Systems and Facilities on Federal Land