A Warning to YouTubers

In October of 2022, the National Park Service reversed a previous policy that was allowing social media videographers, including YouTube creators, filming rights in national parks without a permit. Under the current policies, permits will be required for all video filming in a national park, even by an individual using a phone, if the video is subject to monetization.

I’ve checked on a number of national parks, and the permitting application fee, which must be paid simply to ask for a permit, ranges from $50 to $250. Generally, that will be the only fee for one or two people using hand-held equipment or a single modest-sized tripod. Anything more than that, including lighting, props, and perhaps even models, could result in higher fees.

There does not appear to be a fee for still photography used on a monetized social media site, even if the photographs are later turned into a video.

I strongly recommend that anyone planning to shoot monetized social videos in national parks inquire to the NPS or the specific park, and get the current policy in writing before posting any videos taken in the parks.

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