Permits & Reservations

 

Reservations

Reservations are not needed to enter Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River or enjoy activities on the Upper Delaware River within the park boundaries. However, we encourage visitors who are interested in camping or seeking overnight lodging to make reservations ahead of time, particularly in the busy summer season.

 

 

Special Use Permits can be used to apply to have weddings held at the park.

Courtesy of H. Wagner

Special Use Permits

Certain short-term activities will require a Special Use Permit (SUP) to be conducted within the park boundaries. Examples of activities that require a permit include commercial filming and photography, ceremonies, ash scatting, and first amendment activities.

When considering whether to issue a permit, the park considers potential damage to natural resources and historic objects, anticipated disruption of normal public use, and risk to public health and safety. Before conducting activities in the park, please check that you do not require a Special Use Permit. More details on what activities, restrictions, and requirements are considered for SUPs can be found in the Superintendent Compendium.

Please note that Special Use Permits require a $100 non-refundable application fee.

 

Examples of Activities that Require a Special Use Permit

• Commercial filming and photography 

• First Amendment activities 

• Ceremonies (e.g. weddings, baptisms, etc.) 

• Scatting of Human Ashes 

• Other special events 

Special Use Permit Application Process

Your application must be received in sufficient time for evaluation by National Park Service staff before the start date for your activity. Applications must be completed and submitted at least 45 days prior to the event to allow the Superintendent time to determine if the activity is appropriate. A standard application takes on average 6-8 weeks to process. Requests which involve complex logistics or coordination with other visitor activities will require additional time to process. 

1. Complete the Special Use Permit Application form and the Certificate of Liability Insurance Form. 

   Federal procedures (31 USC 7701) and Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or tax identification number. You must supply your EIN or tax identification number on your application to be processed. If you do not have an EIN, the IRS issues EINs for free at the IRS website. 

2. Email the completed forms to the Permit Coordinator. There is an $100 application fee required as part of the application. Once your application is received, you will be sent instructions on how to pay the application fee electronically. Additional fees may be charged based on the size and complexity of the permit.  

3. After the application fee has been paid, and your application has been submitted and reviewed by the management team, a draft permit will be sent to you. This draft permit will contain terms and conditions for you to review. After you have agreed to the terms and conditions by signing the permit with a date and signature, please return the permit back to the Permit Coordinator to be signed by the Superintendent. Once the permit has been approved and signed by the Superintendent, the special use permit is considered fully approved and valid.

If you have any questions about an event or activity or would like a site visit prior to submitting your application, you can set up an appointment with the Permit Coordinator.

Application Files:

• SUP Application
• Certificate of Liability Insurance Form - Fillable

First Amendment Activities

A permit may be issued for public assemblies for the purpose of expressing freedom of religion, speech, or press, including the right to peaceable assemblies. No fees, liability insurance, or bond shall be assessed for any individual or group claiming First Amendment Rights. The Superintendent shall determine special use permit conditions of time, place, and manner to provide for visitor safety and safeguard park resources. The Park shall not support or condone any opinion expressed by special use permittees. 

Please check the Superintendent Compendium for designated First Amendment areas.

Filming and Photography

Depending on the nature of the filming and photography that one wishes to conduct in the park, permits and fees may be required. Please review the section on filming and photography below to familiarize yourself with filming and photography regulations at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

 

Filming and Still Photography

Capturing images of the national parks has been a tradition since the park service system was established. The sharing of images and films of these special places helped lead to the designation of many national parks and monuments and continues to encourage and inspire visitors to support, enjoy, and explore their parks.

Visitors are welcome to take pictures and film their adventures in national parks, but please always remain aware of your surroundings, use your phones and cameras in safe areas, and ensure you are following all regulations related to filming and photography.

 

Commercial Filming

On August 23, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a decision reversing the order of the District Court. Price v. Garland 45 f.4th 1059 (D.C. Cir 2022). This decision became effective October 28, 2022, with the issuance of the Court of Appeals Mandate. As a result, the statute and regulations that governed commercial filming before the Price decision are again in effect. 

To Apply: 

1. Download and complete the (NPS 10-932) Commercial Filming/Still Photography application long form.

2. Email form to the park contact listed on the application form, or by contacting the park special use permits office via email or phone at 570-729-7134. 

Those interested in commercial filming activities on land managed by the National Park Service are encouraged to contact the park directly for more information about filming in the park and to discuss how to minimize potential impacts to visitors and sensitive park resources. 

Low-Impact Filming

“Low-impact filming” is defined as outdoor filming activities in areas open to the public, except areas managed as wilderness, involving five people or less and equipment that will be carried at all times, except for small tripods used to hold cameras. Those participating in low-impact filming activities do not need a permit and are not required to contact the park in advance. If low-impact filmers have questions about areas where they want to film, they should contact the park directly via email or phone at 570-729-7134. 

Videographers, filmers, producers, directors, news and other staff associated with filming are reminded that rules and regulations that apply to all park visitors, including park hours and closed areas, still apply to filming activities even if a permit is not required. Check with the park staff for more information on closures, sensitive resources, and other safety tips. 

Non-Low Impact Filming

Filming activities that do not meet the description of low-impact filming require at least ten days advance notice to the National Park Service by contacting the park directly in writing. The park’s superintendent will determine whether the filming activities will require a special use permit for filming. Based on the information provided, a permit may be required to:

• maintain public health and safety; 
• protect environmental or scenic values; 
• protect natural or cultural resources; 
• allow for equitable allocation or use of facilities; or 
• avoid conflict among visitor use activities. 

Examples of requests that may require a permit include, but are not limited to: entering a sensitive resource area, filming in areas that require tickets to enter, or filming in visitor centers, campgrounds, or other visitor areas. The decision to require a permit rests with the park superintendent based on potential impacts to park resources or the visitor experience. 
 
Contact the park directly if you are unsure if a filming activity is considered low-impact or may require a permit. 

Filming in Wilderness Areas

The National Park Service manages and protects more than 67 million acres of park lands and waters as wilderness areas. These areas have additional laws and policies to preserve their wilderness character for future generations. Filming activities in wilderness areas must follow all applicable laws and regulations that govern wilderness areas in the park, including prohibitions on structures, installations, motor vehicles, mechanical transport, motorized equipment, motorboats, or landing of aircrafts. 

Except for casual filming by visitors, special use permits for filming are required for all filming activities in wilderness areas, no matter the group size or equipment used.

Fees associated with Filming in National Parks

For non-low-impact filming, a fee may be required. Please contact our permitting staff for more information at [phone].  

For the most up-to-date information on the National Park Service policy regarding Commercial Filming, please see the National Park Site's Commercial Filming and Still Photography page.

Still Photography

Still photography requires a permit when: 

1. the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or
2. the activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or 
3. a park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. 

To Apply: 

1. Download and complete the Commercial Filming / Still Photography application short form.(NPS 10-931) Commercial Filming/Still Photography application short form.

2. Email form to the park contact listed on the application form, or by contacting the park special use permits office via email or phone at 570-729-7134. A staff member should return your call within a few days.

 

Commercial Use Authorizations

Some activities may require a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) instead of a Special Use Permit. A CUA is required for goods, activities, and services that use park resources; take place at least in part on lands managed by the National Park Service; and result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

 

 

Contact Information

Permit Coordinator
Upper Delaware S&RR
274 River Road, Beach Lake, PA,18405
[phone]

 

Other Permit Information

• 

  Fishing Licenses

  Learn about fishing licenses and permits at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

• 

  Superintendent's Compendium

  Check out a detailed list of what activities are permitted in the Superintendent’s Compendium.

• 

  FAQs for Fishing Guide CUA Holders

  Learn more about what to do if you're a fishing guide looking to do business within Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.