Filming For Fame In Utah’s Parks: Illegal Without Permits

Filming in National Parks 

Your Instagram account is growing and you are looking for content that will engage your fans and grow your influence. You think, “The national parks have amazing scenery. I’ll head to Zion and take some dangerous looking pictures on the edge of cliffs." You are not the first to think of this. 

There are rules for who can shoot video or take pictures in national parks based on if it is for themselves or if they plan to make money from it. I can’t imagine what a pain it must be for park rangers since the age of influencers and the internet. 

Permit Required to Film and Take Pictures 

If you are visiting Zion National Park with friends or family and stop to take a video on the trail or take some pictures of the soaring cliffs, it is all good. Record those memories and share them with those you love. 

However, if you are doing it for commercial reasons, you will need a permit with an application fee that will cost you $150. Here is the information from the Zion National Park site: 

Federal law requires a permit for all commercial filming, no matter the size of the crew or the type of equipment. This includes individuals or small groups that don’t use much equipment, but generate revenue by posting footage on websites, such as YouTube and TikTok. 

Protecting the Park Resources 

They explain that maintaining the park and the visitor’s experience and anything that takes away from this goal draws away resources. For example, if someone brings in props or goes into restricted areas it can be a problem. 

Read More: Surprising Who Helped Zion Become A Tourist Destination

I would imagine as busy as Zion gets at peak tourist times, some YouTube star blocking a trail with their crew could be a headache. 

The Permit Process 

On the site they have links to a form that will be emailed. There is also a place to pay the $150 application fee. This is just the beginning. There are many more fees and approvals needed based on the size of the production. 

I don’t know what happens if you sneak in and film your TikTok and post it without a permit, but as it is a federal law, the proof of what you did is right there on the internet for all to see.