Park Permits

Below are the types of permits available within areas managed by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation for activities that are restricted by statute, regulation, park plan, and/or policy.

• Special Park Use Permits
  • What situations require a Special Park Use Permit?
    • Anyone conducting special use activities on State Park lands or waters must obtain, in advance, a permit issued by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Examples of special use activities include the reservation of facilities (not on Reserve America), groups or events of 20 or more people (weddings, family reunions, school field trips, scout events, etc.), research activities, temporary structures, special/motorized access, etc., or any other incompatible use as defined under regulation.
    
    
  • How do I apply?
    • Special Use Permit Stipulations
    • Director’s Order 327 Regarding Fees
    • Wedding Factsheet
    • Special Use Permit Application
      1. Use the above link to submit an application. The application will time out after approximately an hour.
      2. You and the permitting unit will be automatically notified after your application has been submitted. Allow up to 30 days for processing.
      3. Once reviewed by the permitting unit and area staff, payment instructions will be provided.
      4. The final permit will be issued after payment.
      
      
  • I Need to Amend My Permit
    • 1. You can amend multiple items under one Special Use Permit Amendment.
         
         
  • Other Specific Special Use Permits
    • 1. Camping and floating the Upper Wood-Tikchik Management Area - Tikchik River, Nishlik Lake, Slate Lake, Upnuk Lake, and Chikuminuk Lake.
      2. Field Archaeology Permit - required for archaeology work on State Park land.
      3. Lynx Lake Road Access Permits - Nancy Lake State Recreation Area.
         Lynx Lake Road Access - Director's Determination
      4. Long Term Boat Storage Permit Application
         Information on Docks on Mat-Su Valley Park Waters
      
      

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• Commercial Use Permits
  • What situations require a Commercial Use Permit?
    • Anyone conducting commercial activities on State Park lands or waters must obtain, in advance, a permit issued by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Examples of commercial activities include guided activities, charter services, portrait photography, transportation services, outfitting, or rentals within a park.
    
    
  • How do I apply?
    • General Commercial Use Permit Stipulations
    • Park Unit Specific Stipulations
    • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Management Plan
    • Director's Order 328 Regarding Fees
    • Commercial Use Permit Application
      1. Use the above link to submit an application. The application will time out after approximately an hour.
      2. You and the permitting unit will be automatically notified after your application has been submitted. Allow up to 30 days for processing.
      3. Once reviewed by the permitting unit and area staff, payment instructions will be provided.
      4. The final permit will be issued after payment.
      
      
  • I Need to Amend My Permit

    • You can amend multiple items under one Commercial Use Permit Amendment.
      
      
      

  • End of Season Report

    • You must submit an End of Season Report by December 31st of the permit year.
      
      
      

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• Kenai River Guide Permits
  • What situations require a Commercial Use Permit?
    • Anyone conducting guided fishing activities within the Kenai River Special Management Area must obtain, in advance, a permit issued by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
  • How do I apply?
    • Kenai River Commercial Fishing Guide Stipulations
    • Director's Order 328 Regarding Fees
    • Kenai River Guide Permit Application
      

      New fishing guides in the Kenai River Special Management Area are required by state regulations to successfully complete a course for providing professional guide services. The Kenai Peninsula College currently offers two courses each spring semester. Information and details on the course can be found at http://www.krga.org.

      1. Use the above link to submit an application. The application will time out after approximately an hour.
         
      2. You and the permitting unit will be automatically notified after your application has been submitted. Allow up to 30 days for processing.
      3. Once reviewed by the permitting unit and area staff, payment instructions will be provided.
      4. The final permit will be issued after payment.
      
      
  • I Need to Amend My Permit

    • You can amend multiple items under one Kenai River Guide Permit Amendment.
      
      

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• Commercial Filming Permit
  • What situations require a Commercial Filming Permit?
    • Anyone conducting commercial filming on state park lands and waters must obtain, in advance, a permit issued by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Examples of commercial filming include documentaries, TV shows, feature films, advertisements, or similar projects.
      
      News clips filmed in a park are not considered commercial if done as journalistic work for the press for routine reporting or news broadcasts.
      
      
  • How do I apply?
    • Commercial Filming Stipulations
    • Director’s Order 328 Regarding Fees
    • Commercial Filming Application
      1. Use the above link to submit an application. The application will time out after approximately an hour.
         
      2. You and the permitting unit will be automatically notified after your application has been submitted. Allow up to 30 days for processing.
      3. Once reviewed by the permitting unit and area staff, payment instructions will be provided.
      4. The final permit will be issued after payment.
      
      
  • I Need to Amend My Permit

    • You can amend multiple items under one Commercial Filming Permit Amendment.
      
      

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• Factsheets and Guidance Documents
  • Alaska Mapper Instructions
  • Commercial Operations on Park Managed Waters Factsheet
  • Kenai River Center Multi-Agency Permit Factsheet
  • Kenai River Guide Requirements Factsheet
  • Permitting Factsheet
  • Weddings Factsheet

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• Permit Reports
  • 2019 Commercial Use Permits Report
  • 2020 Commercial Use Permits Report
  • 2021 Commercial Use Permits Report
  • 2022 Commercial Use Permits Report
  • 2023 Commercial Use Permits Report
  • 2024 Commercial Use Permits Report
  • 2025 Commercial Use Permits Report
  • The current year reports will be updated quarterly

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Permits are not required for regular recreational activities within State Parks, such as camping, hiking, boating, skiing, etc., but fees do apply. See Park Use Fees page for more information.

Submit a comment or complaint about a commercial operator Comment and Complaint form

For additional questions, email us at parkpermitting@alaska.gov