Permits and Reservations

Fees and Passes

There is no fee to visit Aztec Ruins National Monument. For those wishing to obtain America the Beautiful Interagency Passes, we cannot distribute any passes that cost money at the visitor center. We are able to issue Access Passes and Military Passes for those eligible, as well as 4th Grade Passes for students with the required voucher, since all of these passes are free. The nearest locations where other passes, including the Annual and Senior Passes, can be purchased are the Bureau of Land Management Office in Farmington, NM and at Mesa Verde National Park.

Bringing Groups to Aztec Ruins

Aztec Ruins National Monument welcomes group visits! There is a bus unloading area, and plenty of oversized parking spaces for busses and RVs. There is no parking fee and the picnic area is a great place to gather for groups that will meet here. Please call the visitor center at [phone] during business hours or contact us at [e-mail] to notify park staff when you plan to arrive, to check for conditions, and to notify us of any necessary accommodations (i.e. for disabled visitors). Specific permits, as outlined below, are required for commercial tours and special events.

Commercial Use Authorization

Commercial Use Authorizations are required for commercial tour companies that provide their own interpretive services, workshops, or other instruction in the park. Tour companies that simply provide transportation for guests to use the self-guided trail or ranger-guided programs do not need a Commercial Use Authorization. Commercial Use Authorizations require a $350 non-refundable application fee. Click on the Commercial Use Authorization link above to access the applications required.

Special Use Permit

Special Use Permits are required for any activity outside of normal visitor use such as weddings, private events or programs, after hours activities, or off-trail access. Any individual, group, society or organization may request a Special Use Permit. Special Use Permits require a $100 non-refundable application fee. If staff monitoring is required, additional costs will apply.

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.

10-930 Application for SUP (PDF, 1.28 MB)