JACKSON, Wyo. — The National Park Service (NPS) will once again require a permit for all commercial filming that occurs in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and Yellowstone National Park (YNP).
In January 2021, NPS permits and fees for commercial filming was ruled unconstitutional under the First Amendment, but in August 2022 a three-judge panel overturned that ruling after the NPS appealed the decision. The NPS says permit fees will raise revenue for maintaining and improving the parks and ensure that filming doesn’t harm federal lands or interfere with park visitors’ experiences.
The NPS defines commercial filming as any video/recording used for a market audience with the intent of generating income, including feature film, documentaries and monetized social media videos. Drones and drone footage remain prohibited in GTNP.
Individuals, small groups and larger size production groups must all obtain a permit before filming for commercial use. This means independent influencers, many of whom head to the iconic Wyoming parks for online content, cannot post any videos of GTNP or YNP on monetized Youtube, Instagram or TikTok channels without applying for a filming permit.
Still photography requires a permit only when the activity takes place in an area closed to the public or the activity uses a model, set or prop. Wedding parties and high school graduates are the exception to the definition of “model” if the image will not be used to promote or sell.
Filming permits will require a nonrefundable application fee of $325 and an additional location fee listed below:
- One to two people, camera & tripod only – $0 a day
- One to 10 people – $150 a day
- 11 to 30 people – $250 a day
- 31 to 49 people – $500 a day
- Over 50 people – $750 a day
Photographers and crews with a film permit are exempt from paying entrance fees, since they are recognized as using the park for non-recreational business purposes. All vehicles entering the park must show a copy of the approved permit at entrance stations.
Applications and instruction for filming permits can be found here.
