Permits & Reservations

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Special Use Permit - Events (e.g. weddings, baptisms, organized picnics)

Tumacácori National Historical Park, as a unit of the United States National Park Service permits such special use activities when they are consistent with the park’s mission and will not harm the resource or interfere with the visitor experience. No special use will be allowed that will have an adverse impact on the park resources or negatively affect visitor use and enjoyment by interrupting or conflicting with regularly scheduled park activities.

When is a permit needed?

A Special Use Permit is required for short-term activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large and for activities that require some degree of management by the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest. Most weddings, baptisms, family reunions, and other events falls under this category.

How do I apply for a permit?

1) Contact the park's special use permit coordinator to determine if your event is within the park's guidelines. You can also do this in person or by phone at 520-377-5060.

2) Submit a completed application along with the $130.00 nonrefundable application fee to the park at least two weeks in advance of the date(s) desired. You may be required to meet with park staff in advance of the event to insure that your event will be successful and that all special requirements will be met.

Special Use Permit Application for Events (short) (.pdf, 105kb)
Special Use Permit Application for Events (long) (.pdf, 121kb)

What fees will I have to pay?

The National Park Service has been directed by Congress to recover all costs incurred by the Park in processing and monitoring any special uses of its lands, facilities, and/or staff. Tumacácori uses the following cost recovery schedule:

• Application fee - $100
• Administrative fee - $30
• Monitoring fee - $50/hour (or increment thereof)

Are there any other costs or permit requirements?

Events that propose to use the visitor center, mission church and/or immediate grounds, must occur before or after the park’s operating hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).

National Park Service employee must be present to monitor the event, including set-up and clean-up. The permittee may be required to provide certain facilities or services directly as a condition of the permit. Some examples are portable sanitation facilities, utility costs, security or emergency medical services, county licenses, and/or salary and travel costs for additional National Park Service personnel. Depending on the size and nature of the event, you may also 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.

 

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Special Use Permit - Commercial Filming

Changes to Commercial Filming Permits on Park Land

On January 22, 2021, the US District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in Price v. Barr determining the permit and fee requirements applying to commercial filming under 54 USC 100905, 43 CFR Part 5, and 36 CFR Part 5.5 are unconstitutional. In response to the decision, the National Park Service issued interim guidance on February 22, 2021, to manage filming activities. Under the interim guidance, filming activities may require a permit if they would impact park resources or the visitor experience. The National Park Service intends to update regulations addressing filming activities that are consistent with the outcome of Price v. Barr. Once effective, those regulations will replace and supersede the interim guidance.

Those interested in commercial filming activities on land managed by the National Park Service are encouraged to contact the park directly for more information about filming in the park and to discuss how to minimize potential impacts to visitors and sensitive park resources.

Do I need a permit to film?

Under the interim guidance, the National Park Service is not distinguishing between types of filming, such as commercial, non-commercial, or news gathering. Low-impact filming activities will not require a special use permit, but non-low-impact filming activities may require a permit to address their potential impacts on park resources and visitor activities.

Low-Impact Filming

“Low-impact filming’ is defined as outdoor filming activities in areas open to the public, except areas managed as wilderness, involving five people or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras. Those participating in low-impact filming activities do not need a permit and are not required to contact the park in advance. If low-impact filmers have questions about areas where they want to film, they should contact the park directly.

Videographers, filmers, producers, directors, news and other staff associated with filming are reminded that rules and regulations that apply to all park visitors, including park hours and closed areas, still apply to filming activities even if a permit is not required. Check with the park staff for more information on closures, sensitive resources, and other safety tips.

Non-Low-Impact Filming

Filming activities that do not meet the description of low-impact filming require at least ten days advance notice to the National Park Service by contacting the park directly in writing. The park’s superintendent will determine whether the filming activities will require a special use permit for filming. Based on the information provided, a permit may be required to:

• maintain public health and safety;

• protect environmental or scenic values;

• protect natural or cultural resources;

• allow for equitable allocation or use of facilities; or

• avoid conflict among visitor use activities.

Examples of requests that may require a permit include, but are not limited to: entering a sensitive resource area, filming in areas that require tickets to enter, or filming in visitor centers, campgrounds, or other visitor areas. The decision to require a permit rests with the park superintendent based on potential impacts to park resources or the visitor experience.

Contact the park directly if unsure whether or not a filming activity is considered low-impact or may require a permit.

Are filmers still required to pay fees to film in parks?

As of January 22, 2021, the National Park Service is no longer collecting application or location fees, or cost recovery for filming.

 

Special Use Permit - Still Photography

Price v. Barr had no impact on how the National Park Service regulates still photography, so there are no changes in how the National Park Service regulates that activity. Still photographers require a permit only when:

1. the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or
2. the activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or
3. a park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

How do I apply for a permit?

Permit applications are available through each park's administrative office or website.

1) Contact the park's special use permit coordinator to determine if your commercial operation is within the park's guidelines. You can also do this in person or by phone at 520-377-5060.

2) Submit a completed application along with the $130.00 nonrefundable application fee to the park at least two weeks in advance of the date(s) desired. You may be required to meet with park staff in advance of the event to insure that your event will be successful and that all special requirements will be met.

Special Use Permit Application for Commercial Still Photography (short) (.pdf, 157kb)
Special Use Permit Application for Commerical Still Photography (long) (.pdf, 200kb)

What fees will I have to pay?

The National Park Service will collect a cost recovery charge and a location fee for still photography permits. 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 your permit. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

In addition, the National Park Service has been directed by Congress to collect a fee to provide a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands. The National Park Service uses the following still photography fee schedule:

• Application fee - $100
• Administrative fee - $30
• 1–10 people - $50/day
• 11–30 people - $150/day
• Over 30 people - $250/day

Are there other permit requirements?

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.

What about photography workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.

 

Wake up at dawn after spending the night inside (or just outside) the historic church.

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Tours Requiring Reservations

Some interpretive programs require reservations in advance. Call 520-377-5064 for details.

• Curriculum-based programs, field trips, youth groups
• Special tours for groups

Some programs require reservations and a fee.

• Calabazas and Guevavi tour
• Family Sleepover