Filming, Still Photography, and Audio Recording Permits

 

Filming

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234). Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming and photography in park areasLaunching, landing, or operating an uncrewed aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by National Park Service within the boundaries of Valles Caldera National Preserve is prohibited.

Who Does Not Need a Permit?

You will not need a permit for your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity in the following situations:

• Small groups (8 people or less): if your group has eight or fewer people participating in the activity, and it meets the following requirements:

  • The activity is conducted in areas open to the public.

  • The person conducting the activity only uses hand-carried equipment and/or a tripod or monopod.

  • The person conducing the activity does not require exclusive use of a site.

  • The activity does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and

  • The activity 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

Who Needs a Permit?

You will need a permit for filming, still photography, or audio recording activity in the following situations:

• Large groups (9+ people): if your group has nine or more people participating in the activity.

• Certain filming activities: if your activity doesn’t meet the requirements for an incidental activity or a small group, a permit will be required. This includes situations where the filming involves equipment other than handheld or a tripod, or if the activity is likely to disrupt the park experience, harm natural resources, or occur in a highly congested area.

• Special conditions: if your filming could potentially cause damage to resources, create unreasonable disruptions to the park experience, or pose a health or safety risk, a permit will be necessary.

 

Still Photography

When is a permit needed?

In most cases, still photography does not require a permit. A permit is required for still photography only when:

• The activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or

• 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

• The park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

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 modelsIf none of the above conditions apply, a special use application and a still photography permit is not required. We do appreciate you contacting the Valles Caldera National Preserve office by e-mail or by calling 505-412-0206 so that we are aware of your activities in the park and can help you determine if a permit is necessary.

 

Still Photography Workshops

A Commercial Use Authorization may be required for photography workshops. Contact the Park Special Uses Coordinator.

 

Applying for a Special Use Permit

• Download and complete the permit application form
• Submit the completed special use permit application to us via email
• Payment may be made via credit card by calling 505-412-0206. You may also mail a cashier’s check or money order (payable to National Park Service) to the following address: Special Use Permits Office, 90 Villa Louis Martin Dr., Jemez Springs, NM 87025.
• Once payment is received filming, photography, and audio recordings permits are considered in the order they are received. Allow 21 working days (depending on project type and the volume of requests) to process an application and issue a permit. Projects that require environmental or cultural resources evaluation must be submitted no less than 90 working days before the start of the proposed activity(ies).
• Submit a copy of your insurance naming the “United States Government” as additionally insured via email.

If you are not familiar with Valles Caldera National Preserve, a pre-visit is encouraged. The location where the activity is to take place needs to be determined before the day of the activity. There may be special restrictions in the area that could limit access.

Valles Caldera National Preserve
090 Villa Louis Martin Dr.
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
ATTN: Special Park Uses Coordinator

Forms: Application for Filming/Still photography Long Form/Still Photography Permit

 

What fees will I have to pay?

Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for filming, still photography, and audio recording activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring the permitted activities. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of the permitted activities. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

Location Fees

Federal law requires the National Park Service to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States when a permit is required. Location fee for the minimum anticipated days is due two business days prior to filming date. Any additional days will be billed at the end of the filming.

Commercial Filming

• 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 

Still Photography 

• 1–10 people - $50/day 
• 11–30 people - $150/day 
• Over 30 people - $250/day

Application Fees

An application fee of $200 must be paid at the time of submitting the application and is non-refundable. All payments must be made in the form of a cashier’s check, money order or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted.

• Film Permit: $200.00
• Still Photography Permit: $200.00
• Audio Recording Permit: $200.00

Insurance

General commercial liability insurance is required. A minimum of $1,000,000 is typically required. Complex projects or projects with large cast/crews or sets may require higher insurance. The “United States Government” will be named as “additional insured” on the insurance certificate. If further specificity is desired/requested: “the National Park Service, Valles Caldera National Preserve.” A copy of the insurance certificate must be received PRIOR to issuing an approved permit.

The NPS may require additional insurance commensurate with the risk involved with your filming activities. IMPORTANT: The name on the certificate of insurance must match your business name, including any names used under “doing business as.” The certificate can be emailed to us, or mailed directly to Valles Caldera National Preserve, to this address:

Valles Caldera National Preserve
90 Villa Louis Martin Dr.
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
ATTN: SUP Coordinator

Monitoring Fees

Valles Caldera National Preserve staff must monitor certain filming, photography, and sound recording activities. This includes, but is not limited to, projects with large crews or extensive equipment, those that may cause resource damage, or those that could impact visitor use.Upon approval of the application, if it is deemed that a monitor should be assigned to your project, there will be a cost recovery charge based on the monitor’s hourly rate from the time they start at their duty station until they return from monitoring. The assignment and estimate will be provided prior to the final permit being issued and the balance calculated after the activity is completed.