Film & Photography Permits

NPS/Josh Spice

Current Guidance - Updated March 2025
On March 14, 2025, the National Park Service (NPS) issued internal guidance about how the NPS must implement Section 125 of the EXPLORE Act (Public Law 118-234) as it relates to the management of filming, still photography, and audio recording in park areas. All filming, still photography, and audio recording activity is treated the same under Section 125 of the EXPLORE Act.

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. 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.

Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that may require a permit, consistent with 54 U.S.C. 100905:

Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas, requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.

• Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
  
• If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3.

Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity.

Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 13.50, which allows the superintendent to restrict activities in NPS areas in Alaska. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 and 13.55 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 13.50(c). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the area, will not adversely affect the area’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the area, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contains terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the area.

For more information, visit the National website on Filming Still Photography, and Audio Recording.

Please contact us with any questions or for an application.

 

No Drone Zone

Launching, landing or operating unmanned or remote controlled aircraft in Yukon-Charley Rivers is prohibited.

Learn more about regulations pertaining to the use of unmanned aircraft in the national parks.

 

Looking for a different kind of use permit? See the options below.

• Research Permits
• Special Use Permits

  1. Use of Cabins, Firewood and Caches by Federally Qualified Local Subsistence Users

  2. Other Special Use Permits - a catch-all category including but not limited to activities such as special assemblies, athletic events or races, temporary access requests, first amendment activities, groups with 12 or more participants, etc.