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A permit is required for short-term 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 in order to protect park resources and the public interest. Permits at Cape Hatteras National Seashore are available for the following activities. They are:
A Special Use Permit is required for activities that:
Provide a benefit to an individual, group or organization, rather than the public at large:
Requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the NPS in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
Is not prohibited by law and regulation;
Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the Service; and
Is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.
The following activities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore may require a Special Use Permit:
Special Use Permits
All weddings and vow renewals at Cape Hatteras National Seashore require a Special Use Permit. Visit our wedding permits page for more information.
Surfing and kite boarding tournaments, races, fishing tournaments. Military ceremonies require a permit but the application fee is waived.
Permit Application Steps:
Complete the Sporting Events/Special Events application.
E mail signed application to e-mail us at CAHA_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov.
You will receive an email response regarding your application and if your proposed event is approved for a permit, a notification to pay the required $200 application fee will be emailed. This payment will be made using Pay.gov. and is non-refundable.
The non-refundable$200 applicationfee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, may apply.
First Amendment Examples of First Amendment Activities:
Religious services
Political speeches
Press conferences
Voter registration
Public demonstration, picketing, assembly or rally expressing opinions and views
A permit is required for First Amendment activities that meet any of the following criteria:
Groups larger than 25 participants
Utilizes significant equipment including generators, platforms, tents, etc.
Complete the Permit Application if you answer YES to any of the above criteria.
A group of 25 people or fewer is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if you do not meet the criteria above, but you may choose to obtain a permit to prevent another group from reserving your requested area.The National Park Service has designated six First Amendment Assembly Areas within Cape Hatteras National Seashore: in front of the visitor center at Bodie Island Lighthouse; near the entrance to off-road vehicle (ORV) ramp 2 at Coquina Beach; near the parking lot at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Buxton Beach Access; at the entrance to Cape Point Campground; near the visitor center in Ocracoke; and near the entrance to Ocracoke Campground. Maps of these areas can be found in the Superintendent’sCompendium. Alternative locations may be requested and will be accommodated as feasible.
If your activity meets the criteria above or you wish to obtain a permit for your First Amendment activity, complete the First Amendment application and e-mail us at CAHA_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov. No application fee is required for First Amendment activities.
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.
Will I need to provide proof of insurance?
You will be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States of America as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity.
What fees will I have to pay?
Federal law requires the NPS to recover its administrative costs for filming and still photography activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee of $250 and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the NPS in processing your request and Location Fees (see below).
E mail signed application to e-mail us at CAHA_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov.
You will receive an email response regarding your application and if your proposed filming meets the criteria above, a notification to pay the required $250 application fee along with the appropriate location fee will be emailed. This payment will be made using Pay.gov and is non-refundable.
The $250 application fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, will apply.
In addition, Federal law also requires the NPS to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for filming and for still photography that requires a permit. The NPS uses the following fee schedules for filming:
Filming Location Fees
1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day
1–10 people - $150/day
11–30 people - $250/day
31–49 people - $500/day
Over 50 people - $750/day
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.
E mail signed application to e-mail us at CAHA_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov.
You will receive an email response regarding your application and if your proposed photography meets the criteria above, a notification to pay the required $250 application fee along with the appropriate location fee will be emailed. This payment will be made using Pay.gov and is non-refundable.
The $250 application fee covers the cost of administering the permit request and is non-refundable. Additional fees for costs incurred by the National Park Service, such as event monitoring, will apply.
What about photography workshops?
If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. visit our Commercial Use Authorizations Page for more information.
A permit is required for scattering of human ashes from cremation and is allowed at Cape Hatteras National Seashore pursuant to the following terms and conditions:
Ashes must be fully refined with no detectable remains and shall not be distinguishable to the general public. Scattering must result in complete dispersal of ashes. Cremains may not be piled in one location or buried.
Scattering of human remains is prohibited in the following areas:
Ocean waters adjacent to Cape Hatteras National Seashore (within 3 nautical miles from land) per the Environmental Protection Agency and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act: Burial at Sea | US EPA
Sound waters within or adjacent to Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
Beaches and sound-side areas, because of the heavy visitor use in these areas and because the activity may result in human remains entering the ocean or sound waters
From Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and Ocracoke Lighthouse
Within 100 yards of buildings, structures, picnic areas, roads, water sources, or closed areas
No rocks, vegetation or other natural resources will be moved, stacked, cut, or disturbed in any way.
No monument, memorial, plaque, structure, urn, photo, or other commemorative item may be left within the boundaries of the park area. Do not bring any potted plants, dried flower arrangements or any plant with seeds as these may introduce non-native or invasive species.
The permittee recognizes and is aware of the sensitivity of this activity and agrees to perform it in a discreet and private manner.
The use of acoustical instruments and the use of a small, portable, battery operated blue tooth speaker is acceptable as long as they meet the standards listed in 36 CFR 2.12(a)(1) and do not interfere with the use of the area by other individuals. No public address systems are allowed.
The permittee recognizes that the National Park Service (NPS) does not commit to treating the area as sacred or as a burial ground or cemetery. Park uses, operations, and programs will be continued without regard to the presence of the cremains.
Permittee will be responsible for security and orderly behavior at the event.
Access to the area must be kept open to the public and the memorialization cannot interfere with normal visitor activity in any manner. The park will not exclude nor allow you to exclude other park visitors from the site during the ceremony.
If your activity meets the criteria above and you wish to obtain a permit to scatter ashes, complete the application by following this link: application and e-mail us at CAHA_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov. We request that applications are submitted at least 15 days prior to the activity to allow time for processing. No application fee is required for scattering of ashes.
For questions or additional information about the scattering of ashes, contact our Special Park Permits Coordinator at 252-475-9034 or CAHA_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov.
A right-of-way (ROW) permit is issued by Cape Hatteras National Seashore to allow a utility to pass over, under, or through park property. A ROW permit is required any time you want to build or install a utility on park lands. Projects could include electrical transmission lines, telephone and water lines, wireless communication towers, broadband equipment, microwave, fiber optic, and antenna.
All right-of-way permit applications must be submitted through the NPS ROW Permit Application Portal. You can also use the portal to submit general ROW inquiries to the park. Visit the NPS Right-of-Way Permit page for more information on the application process.
Questions and Additional Information
For questions or information about Special Use Permits and types of uses, or if you have any questions about the process or your permit, contact our Special Use Permits Coordinator at 252-475-9034 or e-mail us at CAHA_Special_Use_Permits@nps.gov.
Last updated: July 15, 2026
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo,
NC
27954
