Permits & Reservations

NPS Photo

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)
Special Use Permit Application for Events (long)

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.

 

NPS Photo

Special Use Permit - Commercial Filming and Photography

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.

 

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 Filming/Still Photography (short) (.pdf, 157kb)
Special Use Permit Application for Commerical Filming/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.

 

Tours Requiring Reservations

Some interpretive programs require reservations in advance. Call 520-377-5063 for details.

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

Some programs require reservations and a fee.

• Calabazas and Guevavi tour