Permits for Filming on Public Land
Filming an ATV ride on public land in Nevada can be as simple as recording a personal trip—or involve permits, insurance, and coordination if it is organized or commercial. The key is to identify who manages the land and how the footage will be used before setting up cameras, inviting a crew, or promoting an event.
First identify who manages the land
“Public land” is not one permit system. A ride area may be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a state agency, a county, or another landowner, and each can set different requirements. A filming plan that is acceptable on one parcel may not be permitted on nearby land.
Start by checking the land manager for the exact location, not just the general riding area. Look at the map and access point, then confirm which agency manages the route and any planned staging or parking area. If the boundary is unclear, ask the relevant field office before the shoot. The article Calling a BLM Field Office Before a Ride covers why a quick confirmation can prevent problems on the ground.
The distinction matters because a BLM recreation permit does not automatically authorize activity on state land, in a county facility, or on private property. It also does not override seasonal closures, route restrictions, wilderness boundaries, or other land-use rules. Review Nevada Rules for Riding Federal Land and Nevada Trail Closures to Check Before You Go alongside any filming guidance from the land manager.
| Location or activity | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| BLM-managed land | Whether the filming activity requires a permit, which office handles it, and whether a recreation or event authorization is also needed |
| State or county land | The agency’s filming, access, parking, and event requirements |
| Private land | Written permission from the owner or authorized manager |
| Public road or trail access | Whether the route is open to the type of vehicle and activity planned |
| Drone filming | FAA requirements, land-manager rules, and any location-specific restrictions |
Do not assume that a trail being open to riders means every filming setup is allowed there. A small camera mounted on a machine has a different footprint from a crew with several vehicles, lighting, a base camp, or equipment placed beside the route.
When filming may require permission
The answer can depend on the land manager, the production’s purpose, its size, and how it affects public access or the land. Personal recording of a ride is not the same activity as a commercial production or a planned group shoot. But the distinction is not always obvious, especially when videos are sponsored, made for a business, used in advertising, or produced for distribution.
Do not rely on a broad rule such as “social media videos never need a permit” or “every camera on public land needs one.” Instead, describe the actual project to the land manager and ask whether authorization is needed. Explain who is filming, what the footage will be used for, how many people and vehicles are involved, where the crew will operate, and whether equipment or infrastructure will be set up.
A production may need more than permission to record. The agency may also ask about vehicle access, the proposed route, staging, resource protection, public safety, insurance, and the effect on other visitors. If the shoot involves a group ride, a competition, or a planned gathering, separate recreation or event requirements may apply. See BLM Special Recreation Permits in Nevada, Commercial Filming Permits on Nevada BLM, and Permits for an Organized Nevada Group Ride for related issues.
A commercial purpose is not the only possible reason an agency may want to review a plan. A shoot can be small but still raise concerns if it blocks a route, disturbs wildlife, enters a closed area, or requires vehicles to travel off designated routes. Conversely, a camera used during an ordinary ride does not automatically mean a crew is conducting a production. Let the land manager make the determination based on the specific facts.
Be especially careful about advertising a public event before confirming the requirements. Inviting riders, sponsors, or spectators can change the scale and impact of an activity, even if the original plan was to film only a few machines. If an event permit is needed, processing and coordination may take time; ask about the application process and lead time before committing to a date. The article Applying to the BLM for an Event Permit explains why event planning is a separate question from ordinary riding.
How to prepare a filming request
A clear request helps the agency assess the project and tell you what approvals may be needed. Contact the land manager early, before hiring a crew or making public promises. Give enough detail for an informed answer rather than asking only, “Can we film here?”
Include the following information when you contact the agency:
- Location: Name the riding area and provide the planned routes, staging areas, and access points as precisely as possible.
- Dates and schedule: Give the intended filming period, daily hours, and any alternate dates.
- Purpose and distribution: Explain whether the footage is personal, promotional, sponsored, educational, or intended for another use.
- People and vehicles: Estimate crew size, riders, support vehicles, and spectators.
- Equipment and setup: Describe cameras, drones, tripods, lighting, temporary structures, and any equipment that would be placed on the ground.
- Operations: Explain whether filming will require stopping traffic, using radios, coordinating riders, or closing or controlling access.
- Land protection and cleanup: State how the crew will stay on open routes, avoid sensitive areas, manage waste, and leave the site.
Ask directly whether the project needs a filming authorization, a special recreation permit, an event permit, insurance documentation, or another approval. Also ask whether the agency requires a site visit, a route plan, or changes to the schedule. Requirements can vary by location and project, so get the answer from the office responsible for the land rather than relying on another producer’s experience at a different site.
If authorization is required, read its conditions closely. A permit may define approved locations, dates, vehicle limits, equipment, or operating practices. Permission for one route or day should not be treated as permission to expand the shoot, add a group, or move to a nearby area. Keep the written approval accessible to the person managing the production.
Insurance deserves particular attention when riders, crew, or the public could be affected. Ask the land manager whether coverage is required and what documentation it expects. Do not assume that a personal ATV policy, a production policy, or a waiver automatically satisfies an agency’s requirements. For related background, see Insurance a BLM Permit Requires.
Riding, drones, and other rules still apply
A filming permit, if issued, does not replace the rules for operating an ATV or UTV. The machines still need to comply with applicable registration and access requirements, and riders must stay on routes open to their vehicle. A camera crew cannot use filming as a reason to cross a closure, drive off-route, or enter a protected area.
Check the machine paperwork before the shoot, particularly if the production includes visitors bringing vehicles from another state. Nevada OHV Reciprocity With Other States explains the separate question of riding in Nevada with out-of-state registration. A land-use approval and vehicle registration solve different problems; having one does not establish the other.
Drone footage introduces another layer. FAA rules govern the operation of drones, while the land manager may have additional requirements or restrictions for the location and activity. A permission to film from the ground should not be assumed to authorize drone flights, and FAA compliance does not itself grant access to land or approval for a production. Confirm both sets of requirements before launching.
Plan for the practical realities of a Nevada ride as well. Dust can obscure riders and equipment, heat can affect people and machines, and remote areas may have limited communications or services. Keep the crew compact where possible, bring appropriate supplies, and avoid placing equipment where it could create a hazard or interfere with other visitors. Do not use signs, cones, or crew members to control a trail unless the land manager has approved that arrangement.
For gear, choose mounts and protective cases that are secure and do not interfere with steering, visibility, or safe operation. If buying accessories through Amazon or another retailer, check that the mounting system suits the machine and camera, and test it in a safe setting before traveling to a remote site. Equipment does not replace a route plan, land-use authorization, or safe riding practices.
A simple plan is usually the easiest to evaluate: use open routes, avoid blocking access, keep the footprint small, and make the purpose clear. If the project grows into a commercial shoot, organized event, or multi-vehicle production, pause and confirm the requirements again rather than assuming the original approval still covers the new plan.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
