The vast network of national parks in the U.S. continues to see robust attendance as many visitors, from here and abroad, wish to experience nature and the natural beauty of our country’s landscape. Part of that experience is, of course, recording one’s visit on camera or video, and more than likely posting it on social media. But before you go, you might want to keep a few things in mind.

Personal Use OK

Probably the regulation most visitors would be concerned with regards taking pictures and videos. According to National Park Service regulations, visitors taking still pictures for personal use have no issues. But the NPS regulations frown on filming for commercial purposes, which the National Park Service classifies as “Film, electronic, magnetic, digital, or other recording of a moving image by a person, business, or other entity for a market audience with the intent of generating income. Examples include, but are not limited to, feature film, videography, and documentaries. Commercial filming may include the advertisement of a product or service, or the use of actors, models, sets, or props.” The NPS regulations reportedly also cover still picture taking for commercial purposes.

NPS regulations further state that should visitors decide to engage in filming that borders on commercial purposes, he or she would need to apply for a permit, with fees varying depending on the number of people involved.

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Violators Hit with Fines

While posting snapshots or even a short video to post on a social media site such as Facebook, Instagram, or Tik-Tok may seem harmless enough, problems can arise when the activities mentioned in a post potentially upset the delicate ecosystem in many parks or encourage behavior that could cause say, noise or pose safety dangers to others or even oneself. According to an article on the Stanford University site, social media influencer Katie Sigmond was hit with a $285 fine for posting a video of herself hitting a golf ball into the Grand Canyon. Some of the poster’s followers reported her to park authorities.

The safety aspect of some social media activities cannot be ignored, either. The article noted a rise in reports of hikers taking inappropriate or dangerous videos that threaten the park’s environment, wildlife, or themselves.

While egregiously outrageous park activities are frowned upon by park management and visitors alike, a potentially bigger problem is whether the permit system put in place turns off some potential visitors and how the NPS can enforce its filming regulations.  One visitor, in a YouTube video, found out that clarifying ahead of time what one intends to do when visiting a park can go a long way in heading off potential problems.

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On the YouTube channel Travels with Rob, travel buff and channel owner Rob noted in a video that he applied for filming permits in nine national parts. He noted that YouTube potentially falls under the category of commercial filming because even if the YouTube channel owner does not itself derive income, YouTube itself generates income from posting the video.  Rob noted that permit applications require a nonrefundable $350 processing fee. He argued that the act of recording park scenery is protected under first amendment rights and should not incur charges.

When Rob got responses from most of the parks he applied filming permits for, the general consensus was that the activities he would take part in do not need a permit. Thus, he can film in these parks without an issue.

Drones a No-No

Drones are another technology that the National Park Service is not keen on. According to an article on the NPS site, unmanned aircraft such as model airplanes, quadcopters, and drones are prohibited in national parks, whether for recreation or commerce. The article cites noise and nuisance complaints, with consequences for visitors, park management, and wildlife. However, under circumstances not deemed harmful to park resources or visitors, prospective drone users can apply for a permit to fly a drone in a national park, ostensibly for educational and research purposes.

In the YouTube video below on the channel Drone U, the narrators discuss their experience with drones and national parks. One of the narrators noted that when he visited one park, park personnel said drones were prohibited but model airplanes were okay as the park had a specific area set aside for flying model airplanes. When the narrator pressed as to why drones were prohibited and model airplanes were not, park personnel said that drones had cameras where model airplanes did not. The narrator argued that model airplanes also had cameras, albeit smaller ones.

The National Park Service uses drones in various surveillance and scientific activities.