Arches National Park
Arches needs no permit for ordinary small-group shooting after the EXPLORE Act, but timed entry and the no-climbing-the-arches rules shape every shoot.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Arches National Park (Southeast Utah Group) Special Use Permits office
Cost: No NPS permit for groups of 8 or fewer meeting the EXPLORE Act conditions; location and cost-recovery fees apply to permitted shoots
Processing: Plan ahead for permitted productions
Groups of eight or fewer using hand-carried gear in public areas, without exclusive use and without extra cost to the park, generally need no permit under the EXPLORE Act. Larger or higher-impact productions still require one.
Drone / airspace
Effectively banned: launching, landing, or operating a drone within park boundaries is prohibited
NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 directs each superintendent to close the park to drone use under 36 CFR 1.5. For airspace, Part 107, and legal flying nearby, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes for personal and editorial photography throughout the park
Standard visitor photography is welcome.
Practical notes
- Timed-entry reservations are typically required in the busy season; secure one before planning a shoot.
- Delicate Arch at sunset is the iconic frame and extremely crowded; exclusive use is rarely granted even with a permit.
- Climbing or standing on the named arches is prohibited.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: