Photo by NPS/Brittany Burnett Before you call or email us, please review this list of the most common Filming and Photography Permit questions. Frequently Asked Questions Under federal law, all commercial filming that occurs in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks requires a permit. "Commercial filming" means 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.
Commercial filming conducted by individuals or small groups that don't use much equipment still requires a permit. The primary focus of the NPS, however, is on commercial filming that has the potential to impact park resources and visitors beyond what occurs from normal visitor use of park areas. A permit may be required for non-commercial filming if necessary to manage the activity, to protect park resources, the minimize conflict between user groups, or to ensure public safety. Examples of non-commercial filming include, but are not limited to, filming for tourism bureaus, convention and visitor bureaus, student filming, and filming for personal use and enjoyment. If you have questions about whether a non-commercial film project requires a permit, please contact the film and photography permit office. In most cases, a permit is not necessary for visitors filming for personal enjoyment. In most cases, still photography does not require a permit. A permit is required for still photography only when:
A “model” means a person or object that serves as the subject for still photography for the purpose of promoting the sale or use of a product or service. Models include, but are not limited to, individuals, animals, or inanimate objects, such as vehicles, boats, articles of clothing, and food and beverage products. Portrait subjects, such as wedding parties and high school graduates, are not considered models. The National Park Service cannot permit a project if:
Activities having the potential to significantly impact, alter, or damage resources are prohibited. The following are also prohibited:
Crystal Cave is managed by our non-profit partner The Sequoia Parks Conservancy (SPC). If you're interested in filming or photographing at Crystal Cave, contact them to make arrangements for a private tour in advance of applying for an NPS permit. You can email them or call 559- The private tour fee is $275.00 to be paid directly to SPC. A maximum of 10 people are allowed in the cave for film or photography purposes. Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for commercial filming and still photography activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee, a permit processing fee, and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring the permitted activities. In addition, Federal law also requires the National Park Service to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for commercial filming and for still photography requires a permit. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedules for filming and photography: Commercial Filming
Still Photography
Permits issued for non-commercial filming may be subject to cost recovery charges, including an application fee, but a separate location fee will not be charged. Crystal Cave Location Fees
Once your application has been received, reviewed, and you've been in contact with our permit specialist, you will receive a link to Pay.gov with a permit number necessary to complete your transaction.
Total processing time varies depending on project complexity. You should submit an application a minimum of 6 weeks in advance of your proposed project start date.
Balch Park through Tulare County Film Commission, Sequoia National Forest & Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sierra National Forest, and Inyo National Forest are all regional options for filming and photography which may have fewer restrictions. All areas except the Inyo National Forest feature giant sequoias. Though it lacks giant sequoias, the forest features dramatic mountain views on the eastern side of the Sierra.
Reviewing the following links when planning your project in advance of contacting our office can help keep your administrative permitting fees to a minimum. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Main Page
Please email seki_permits@nps.gov or call 559-565-4257.
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Last updated: November 21, 2022