Certain types of activities require a special use permit. These include many types of organized gatherings, distribution of printed material and other public expressions of opinion, and other activities that are controlled or prohibited. See the following definitions and examples to determine if your use might be included.
It is the policy of the National Park Service (NPS) to allow special uses that are not in conflict with law or policy; will not result in derogation of the values and purposes for which the park was established; do not present a threat to public safety or property and do not unduly interfere with normal park operations, resource protection, or visitor use.
The park has the authority and responsibility to evaluate applicant requests, permit, manage, and/or deny all special uses within the park. Therefore, before any permit will be granted, consideration will be given to potential park resource impacts, as well as impacts to visitor use, access to park sites, or park administration. There are cost recovery fees associated with the administration and management of special use permits for costs incurred by the park. Special park use guidelines state that “it is the policy of the NPS to charge permit fees for special uses. Permit fees should reflect the fair market value of a benefit provided the permittee. The fair market value of a special use is the value of the lands or facilities used and the NPS cost incurred in managing, facilitating, or supporting the use.”
A special park use is defined as a short-term activity that takes place in a park area, and that:
- Provides 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 National Park Service (NPS) in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
- Is not prohibited by law or regulation; Is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the NPS; and Is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.
What Activities Require a Special Use Permit?
A special use permit (SUP) is required for activities that benefit an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large. Examples of activities that require a permit at Guadalupe Mountains include, but are not limited to:
Other Activities That Require Use-Specific Permits
- For most recreational activities, a permit is required if group size is 20 or greater.
- Location of activities may be restricted, depending on group size.
- On trails or in Wilderness, groups must break into parties of 10 or less and maintain separation by staggering start times by at least 15 minutes, paying close attention to route selection and pace. Groups must not merge along the route or gather at any time.
- Competitive events are not allowed in park Wilderness.
- The permittee must obtain all necessary wilderness permits prior to the activity. Entrance fees will not be waived.
- Activity monitoring and cost-recovery charges may be required. Permit Coordinators can help determine potential costs, if any, for the activity.
- Complete an application form and email it to gumo_permits@nps.gov.
- Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date with the the non-refundable $150 application fee. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
- Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
Still photography (whether commercial or noncommercial) requires a permit if any of the following apply:
- It uses props, sets, or models (or any on-camera talent).
- The photographs may be used for the purpose of commercial advertising.
- There is a potential for impact to park resources or disruption to normal visitor use.
- It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are generally not allowed.
- 95% of Guadalupe Mountains National Park is designated or eligible Wilderness. No commercial photography is allowed in park Wilderness unless it is considered necessary and proper for providing educational information about wilderness uses, resources, or values, or is necessary for other wilderness purposes.
- Visitor access may not be restricted from any location; short interruptions to normal visitor use patterns are only allowed if specified in the approved permit.
- The permit does not include authority to film or photograph individuals. Model releases are the responsibility of the permittee.
- On-camera appearances by employees must be approved by park management as a condition of the permit.
- Coverage of breaking news does not require a permit, but is subject to restrictions and conditions to protect park resources.
- The park cannot sign a location release supplied by the permittee
- All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, scouting locations, monitoring, or otherwise supporting the photography activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit.
- Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met. The required amount of insurance will be determined by the potential risk to park resources and the complexity of activities.
- General commercial liability insurance must be issued by a United States company. “United States Government, National Park Service” must be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the United States Government as “certificate holder” only are not acceptable.
Still Photography and Audio Recording Fees
- 1-10 people - $50/day
- 11-30 people - $150/day
- Over 30 people - $250/day
- Complete an application form and email it to gumo_permits@nps.gov along with the non-refundable $150 application fee
- A minimum of 90 days is required to process the application and issue a permit. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than 90 days advanced submission).
- Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
Filming requires a permit if any of the following apply:
- If the film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. (feature film, videography, and documentaries).
- Advertisement of a product or service
- Use of actors, models, sets, or props.
- 95% of Guadalupe Mountains National Park is designated or eligible Wilderness. No commercial photography is allowed in park Wilderness unless it is considered necessary and proper for providing educational information about wilderness uses, resources, or values, or is necessary for other wilderness purposes.
- Visitor access may not be restricted from any location; short interruptions to normal visitor use patterns are only allowed if specified in the approved permit.
- The permit does not include authority to film or photograph individuals. Model releases are the responsibility of the permittee.
- On-camera appearances by employees must be approved by park management as a condition of the permit.
- Coverage of breaking news does not require a permit, but is subject to restrictions and conditions to protect park resources.
- The park cannot sign a location release supplied by the permittee.
- All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, scouting locations, monitoring, or otherwise supporting the filming activities will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit.
- Performance bond and liability insurance requirements must be met. The required amount of insurance will be determined by the potential risk to park resources and the complexity of activities.
- General commercial liability insurance must be issued by a United States company. “United States Government, National Park Service” must be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. Certificates naming the United States Government as “certificate holder” only are not acceptable.
- 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
- It is highly recommended that you contact Guadalupe Mountains National Park's Special Uses Park Coordinator at 915 828-3251 ext 2300 (confirm) to discuss your project before you begin the application process.
- Complete an application form and email it to gumo_permits@nps.gov.
- A minimum of 90 days is required to process the application and issue a permit. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than 90 days advanced submission).
- Once your application is received by the Permit Coordinator, you will be given instructions on paying the non-refundable $125 application fee online.
- Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
The scattering of cremated human remains (“cremains”) in Guadalupe Mountains National Park should be a small private affair, held away from high visitor use areas under the following conditions:
- Party size is limited to 1-10 participants and cremains may be scattered in wilderness and primitive areas along most trails and throughout the park.
- Those wishing to scatter cremains on Guadalupe Peak are subject to the additional restrictions:
- The peak trail and summit are closed to cremains scattering on Saturdays.
- Due to heavy trail traffic during the months of March, April, October, and November, scattering permits may be further restricted.
- Cremated remains are not allowed within the regular course of all dry washes and intermittent waterways within the park.
- The McKittrick Canyon trail from the visitor center to the Notch is closed to the scattering of cremated human remains.
- The portion of Pine Spring Canyon leading to Devil’s Hall is closed to the scattering of cremated human remains.
- Access to the area must be kept open to the public and the memorialization cannot interfere with normal visitor activity. Outdoor areas will not be closed off during memorialization and parking may not be reserved. The park will not exclude nor allow you to exclude other park visitors from the site.
- Cremated remains must be pulverized and fully dispersed so that no obvious piles remain in any one place.
- Ashes may not be dispersed within 100 yards of any body of water or in a developed area.
- No container, urn, flowers, or memorial markers may be left within park boundaries.
- Do not bring any potted plants, dried flower arrangements or any plant with seeds as these may introduce non-native or invasive species.
- The National Park Service (NPS) does not commit to treating the area as a burial ground or cemetery. Park uses, operations and programs will be continued without regard to the presence of the cremains.
- Recognize and be aware of the sensitivity of this activity and perform it in a discreet and private manner.
- Group size can be no larger than six persons.
- Two park employees will accompany the group to the site. Time to hike to sites varies from at least two to twelve hours or more.
- All costs incurred by the National Park Service for issuing the permit, and staff to accompany and monitor the group will be reimbursed by the permittee as a condition of the permit.
- Complete an application form and email it to gumo_permits@nps.gov.
- Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date with the the non-refundable $150 application fee. . Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
- Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
- Off-trail hiking groups may not be bigger than 6 persons.
- Permittees will be issued a Garmin InReach unit. This GPS tracking unit must be always on and turned in when the hike is finished.
- The permittee must possess, carry, and use a paper topographic map of the park.
- All off-trail routes are day use only. No overnight camping is authorized in these areas.
- Permittee must submit a proposed itinerary with their permit application
- If applicable, the permittee must obtain all necessary wilderness permits prior to the activity. Entrance fees and other permit fees will not be waived.
- Activity monitoring and cost-recovery charges may be required. Permit coordinators can help determine potential costs, if any, for the activity.
- Permit holders will be required to carry a minimum of one bag per person for the day for the duration of their off-trail trip and present proof that they have the required number of bags before their permit will be issued.
- All other administrative restrictions and closures apply.
- Complete an application form and email it to gumo_permits@nps.gov.
- Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the requested date with the non-refundable $150 application fee. Please contact the Permit Coordinator via email if expediting of your application is requested (less than four weeks advance submission).
- Application fees must be paid before the permit will be processed/approved.
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