The National Park Service (NPS) will increase its non-refundable application fee for special use permits and commercial use authorizations at Mount Rainier National Park beginning March 1, 2022. Special use permits are required for wedding applications, commercial photography and other events that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization instead of the public at large. Permits are also required for activities that require some degree of management by the NPS to protect park resources and public interests, such as bicycling tours and group climbing expeditions.
Special use permit fees have remained unchanged since 2012. Application cost increases reflect the rising number of permit requests and the work required to process applications. NPS staff issued 381 special use permits during fiscal year 2021.
Information on the application fees required for various types of permits can be found on the Mount Rainier National Park Permits and Reservations page. The authority to recover and retain costs associated with managing special park uses is found in 16 U.S.C. 3a and 54 U.S. Code § 103104; however, no fees are charged when the proposed use is protected by the First Amendment or involves another right. For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park’s webpage at www.nps.gov/mora.
