EXPLORE ACT Returns Filming in National Parks and Expands Access to Public Lands

[@jamesr208]

I would never have known about this without RV Miles. Thank you!

[@miketomas8564]

W O W ! Jason! I had no idea that it covered all of that. Finally a Bill that seems Positive in every way and embraces the future of the National Parks... ​Thanks @RVMiles for keeping this up on your radar. I certainly didn't know all of this, and even forgot about the bill... Alright! I just actually called my two State Senate Representatives to let them know I Fully support this bill... This took me less than 5 minutes of my time.

[@katieandjoeonthego]

Fantastic breakdown of the EXPLORE ACT, really appreciate it!

[@ithemeparkOFFICIAL]

You make so many great points in this video. Hopefully this will pass. The current filming rules are ridiculous and completely unconstitutional.

[@williambradley2562]

Thanks Jason for this information on Explore Act & What it means for us as Citizens in the United States 🎉

[@srameypr]

The Parks folks also need to remember that videos posted in social media provide free promotion to them. There are a number of parks I now plan to visit after I have seen YT videos, shot from the perspective of visitors to the parks. There's a huge difference between a YTer and a professional film crew.

[@DuffyGabi]

Double-edged sword. Of course social media is why so many amazing places around the world are besieged by an influx of visitors.

[@jaydmix09]

Our parks are not shopping malls. To many people visiting is not a good thing. Videos just amplify popularity ( just look at the Stanley cup)

[@RVMiles]

It's not just about publicity though. Social media helps visitors understand the best ways to visit parks. Where to stay, what to do, how long it takes to get from point A to B, how big the parking lots are. All of that content can help people visit less haphazardly. A lot of it is about finding the best places to avoid crowds, which can help point people to less busy times and less popular areas.

[@LilyWasHereMB]

They don't care and in fact, don't want additional visitors because, that means they have to work (a little more).

[@alansach8437]

Parks are being loved to death. The last thing they need is more visitors.

[@BruceOnLocation]

Great news segment. You should consider having your own blog. This way, there's no arguments.

[@iglapsu88]

They fit the bill name into the Acronym I think. Good Rundown Jason. Thanks for Educating us!

[@ronaldbateman3237]

EXPLORE act is a great step forward

[@OurJourneyInMyles]

Thank you Jason. This was an amazingly clear, step by step breakdown of how things got to where they are today. I will be watching RV Miles closely to see how this saga unfolds.

[@thomasseals7670]

Thank you Jason for bringing us the news and keeping us informed. I have already been in touch with my House and Senate representatives. But I thank you for what yoy do.

[@craftytraveler9238]

Thanks for the video and the update for this bill. It all sounds great. Especially allowing we youtubers to take video in the National Parks.

[@ourrvsunsets]

Thanks for keeping us up to date on this information. As someone with an RV related travel channel we have been dealing with the ramifications of the last decision and the complete inconsistencies that came with it. We have been applying for permits to film in the different parks we plan to visit this summer and it's like the wild west where each sheriff is making up their own regulations in each town. For instance we applied for a permit to Olympic National Park and the process was straight forward, although it took a bit of time. We submitted the application and a certificate of insurance. Once approved we did have to pay $150 permit fee. We also applied to Mount Rainier National Park and was told we needed to pay a $375 non-refundable application fee. Even if they didn't approve the permit we would be out the $375. It's just crazy to me that different parks can have such radically different processes and fee structures. Just to clarify, our day job is that we have run a video production company for 20 years. In that time we've filmed with large crews and small crews on local, state and federal land. The process for permitting, if needed, has always been straight forward and fairly consistent, especially within agencies. Whats going on with the National Parks is just silly on multiple levels.

[@karn3094]

Thank you for posting this, excellent presentation of the bill! Your video popped in my YT feed, it’s the first I’ve heard of it. I’m retired from two of the agencies that are part of this, and familiar with all the issues you mentioned. It sounds to me like an excellent bill. One thing that needs to be addressed is employee housing - agencies are struggling to fill positions because of the cost of living, a nationwide problem everywhere and for all of us. Being able to maintain infrastructure and manage expanded seasons requires people.

[@JandJTravels2023]

As always your coverage of important public lands news is top tier. I still can't believe you guys don't work for the National Parks. Thank you.

[@rickgriffith1]

Let the pigeons loose! That’s awesome news about recording in National Parks. You have just made my day Jason. I realize it’s not finalized, but as you said, it’s looking pretty good. I jumped through so many hoops obtaining the necessary permit and local permissions before recording my Palm Springs Tramway and Mount San Jacinto State Park series that I determined that the effort wasn’t worth repeating. It looks like Natural Parks are back on the menu soon. Thank you for your work in providing these news updates!👍🏼😎

[@Hartiverse]

This filming issue is very important to me, too, so thank you for covering it!

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

Great update on the current and possible future status of filming in National Parks. Two big thumbs up on the Explorer Act. Do it! In another note. Wow! There is some strange celestial happenings in the Milky Way clip.

[@sherriweber7105]

Thank you so much Jason for the information on the Explore Act. It means a little to everyone who goes to the parks and any of us citizens of the Us and around the world. Say hello to Abby for me.

[@jayxnina]

This is some cutting edge content. Well done.

[@turnbullstravels735]

Happy to hear about clarity on filming, season extensions, and improvements to cell access. We have volunteered twice at a National Monument, living on site, and it drove me nuts that if we needed to call 911 after hours, we were out of luck.

[@ranziey8273]

I not only had never heard of this bill, I hadn't even heard about the filming laws/rules effective in the parks. Thank you for educating us and in such an interesting way. Keep doing it please. This is the type of video that I can be proud of watching.

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure! Thanks for your kind words.

[@CarolynsRVLife]

It looks like this never passed the Senate. Does that mean it's still illegal to film for profit? And thank you so much for this. Excellent reporting.

[@RVMiles]

Yeah, it never got taken up. So yeah, situation is the same, BUT there is a landwatch nonprofit that has a temporary injunction allowing their members to film while they fight it in court called Blueribbon Coalition. I’ll be covering that soon - but you can join them.

[@airstreamer]

This is wonderful news!! We did a couple of videos about the old ruling. It was so frustrating to us! As full time RVers, we had planned to visit National Parks and post to our travel vlog channel for our viewers. We had to completely change that. Let's hope the new bill goes all the way through the process and gets approved! Thank you for reporting on this. 😀 - Michelle

[@dbandow]

Thank you for the great info. As a woman camping alone, I think more cell service is an important safety issue.

[@Gimblegirl]

So glad that this is at least in the stages of being corrected. There are a few parks that i did still photography 100 years ago and always wanted to go back, as well as a few national cemetaries. Now that I have my "action" camera I've been waiting to see how this shakes out.

[@ForeverWhereAfter]

You mentioned the National Wildlife Foundation in your report. I checked the National Wildlife FEDERATION but could not find reference on the website to the EXPLORE Act. Did you mean another organization? Where can I read the Act and how do I find the endorsements? Great information and thanks for wading through this complicated mess.

[@RVMiles]

I misspoke. It's the NW Federation's quote. Here are the endorsing organizations: naturalresources.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415274 And here is the bill: naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/explore_act_-_text.pdf

[@ForeverWhereAfter]

@@RVMiles Thanks for the info. I watch every week unless the Algo Rhythm 🥁 hides it from me. 😃

[@falconsooner]

Good to see R+Ds working together on this

[@Road_Trip_Warriors]

Thank you for reporting on the progress of this bill! You are correct, I have not heard about this from any other source. Fixing this unconstitutional action is long overdue. We created a KZbin channel and have not yet posted any of the tons of content we created (in National Parks) partly because of the limitations of filming in National Parks. Great work!

[@RVMiles]

Glad to help!

[@ChangingLanes]

Great stuff, Jason! We just got our Yosemite permit (after a 9-page application and $300) and were angry every step of the process. They can't pass this fast enough! On that note, do you have any thoughts on when this might go into effect after it's signed into law?

[@RVMiles]

Yeesh! So much money and work! After it's signed by the president, the filming portion should be immediate. Other portions of the bill have dates set. The National Park Service will likely suspend the current rules, put in some interim ones, and then spend a long time writing permanent ones.

[@ChangingLanes]

@@RVMiles That's what I was hoping for.. that once signed into law, the NPS would back off. Looks like it was received in the Senate 2 days ago. Took 4 months to get through the House. Hopefully, the Senate is faster. I signed up for alerts on the Bill at congress dot gov

[@RVMiles]

I did too, hopefully it'll move quick!

[@pattyk8594]

Great comprehensive video thank you!

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patthornton1212]

Thank you for covering this information I liked what you said.My wife and I follow Kara and Nate and about 15 similar channels that have all cut back because of restrictions.I am excited they can show better content and quit avoiding the national parks

[@AbouttheJourney]

I just got done reading it. I'm glad that they did this. The end of the sausage machine...lol Thanks for the update!

[@JenniferHuber]

Thanks for the info. I’m contacting my senators to support the Explore Act.

[@pk8travel]

Thank you for the update. We are sad that we can't support the parks with film without a permit 😢

[@rollinwiththedavises1938]

Thanks for all the info Jason. I agree that part of getting out on the public lands is to unplug, but since being connected is how almost everything works now, I understand the need to expand coverage. I am especially excited about the filming aspect. I assume allowing family groups to film is the reason for the 6 person rule. Odd that it then changes at both 7 and 8 people. Looking forward to the next Park update.

[@RVMiles]

The 7 and 8 thing is really weird.

[@andm6847]

@@RVMiles I guess they assume that up to 6 is a family and they want to let them do their thing. A group of 7-8 is often a group of friends that might be more loud and disruptive to everyone around when they start filming and posing (7-8 people is 2 cars full of friends). Most of these 7-8 groups won't have applied for a permit because it's spontaneous filming at a campsite or a viewing spot. So the rangers have some way to tell them to stop if they get too loud. Authorities often like to have such rules to be able to intervene if things get a bit out of control. My 2 cents and a total guess.

[@Grimm3D]

The expanded coverage, for me, is golden. Those of us who work online usually have trouble getting true "time off" since the online employers just kind of expect you to be on call 24/7 - If I can work from a national park, It really opens up my ability to even plan a trip. Lack of connectivity has really limited my camping access since I started working online. Glad to hear it.

[@vh3531]

​@RVMiles so was the 6 foot rule during covid.

[@M.Campbell]

Now, Congress needs to increase funding to the parks, so that all this can be implemented.

[@07wrxtr1]

They have endless $ for Ukraine

[@M.Campbell]

@@07wrxtr1 The endless money for pork bothers me far more.

[@07wrxtr1]

@@M.Campbell Yeah I live by Arches/Canyonlands - I laugh at what they pay for your entry level entrystation booth jobs - $17/hr in Moab? LOL - Every single hotel in town starts at $20. Even the "MAC" Donald starts at $21/hr. So a few losers in DC "Need" a new Mercedes every 18-24 months? I chalk it up to this: "men" with egos that are weak sauce - they cannot attract or retain women without $$$. These are the "guys" (lol) that "need" to make exponentially more $$ in order to keep the trophy wifey around - she wants her coach bags, mercedes lease, gated "community" (Lol).. I dated 4 women at the same time while having: a) No car b) no job c) no money. These guys never really "get it." We should never have weak "men" in decision making/leadership positions regardless if it's the public or private sector. So - that would be "Pork" in my opinion - the money is not going TO the parks where it should. 85% of it is going to the BETA males/weak "men" who lack game with the ladies - in DC. The guys doing the REAL work in Arches/Canyonlands - they're the ones standing out in the hot sun all day - they're getting shafted. I think the losers in DC should have to be dropped in the wilderness for a week. Let them have an annual reminder of what survival is about - because they certainly don't get it - you don't "need" money to meet a good wifey, and that's what these guys sellout/hide behind: "happy wife happy life" and "I'm jus doin muh jawb bro"

[@halw9805]

Thank you for this! Great update to an important issue that impacts all of us. 👍🏼

[@storiesacrossamerica]

First, thank you very much for a great video. It sounds like one of those rare occasions when common sense legislation does come out of Washington and it’s not self-serving of one side or the other but to the benefit of the public. I hope it passes in the Senate and is signed into law. It’s something we can all be proud of if it’s used to appropriately.

[@KL00100]

This is good stuff that actually effects the average person just wanting to capture and share there experience.

[@SMLPhotography1]

Jason - Thanks for the great report! The new rules, updates, etc contained in the EXPLORE Act shows that there is some level of understanding what our parks are in need of. One can only hope that it will be signed into law without having critical pieces stripped out due to political squabbling.

[@RVAmerica]

So glad for this! Thank you! Lynn and Danny

[@toddgerz]

Well I just stopped visiting National Parks altogether. Their are fantastic State Parks with Local Business near by ready and willing to serve the public and these employees have good tips on what to see and where to go. For instance, Idaho has incredible gems to see. A small version of Niagara Falls is one of them

[@StanStarkforloans]

I appreciate all your videos, but this was one of the most informative. Thank you for all your efforts!

[@RVMiles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@summerlivin5487]

Thanks for the info! It seems to be constantly changing and I can never keep up 🤷‍♀

[@mitchellmysliwiecphotography]

Sounds like a well thought out plan! Thank you for your reporting

[@1MillionMileRoadTrip]

As a full-time rv'er and KZbinr, this is great news, if it does get bogged down with pork. I really appreciate you keeping us informed.

[@kylleayer2056]

Thank you for your in-depth reports they are. Super informative and always interesting

[@RVMiles]

Thanks so much!

[@campinwiththeconfers]

Thanks for letting us know! We hadn’t even heard of the Explore Act. Hope it goes through quickly! We are visiting Acadia in July - wonder if I should put off applying for a permit 🤔

[@tuvia4082]

Thanks Abby and Jason, great info.

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure!

[@larrycox6614]

WOW! That's some serious research Jason... great job!

[@jenlb78]

You do such a good job giving us information. Thanks!

[@FittingInAdventure]

Thank you for updating us! Always love your breakdown of the news

[@RVMiles]

My pleasure!

[@charleyfolkes]

Nice job explaining the history of the issue as well as how the Bill will affect things

[@justramblinaround]

Thanks Jason this was great with a lot of good information. Hope this hets resolved soon we are heading to many parks this year so hopefully we get good news. Thanks again well done!

[@whitleyrobertson7070]

Have they addressed the concerns of rangers and other gov. Park employees in support of their quality of life and job scope.

[@RVMiles]

Not in this bill, but part of it does try to create public-private partnerships to create more federal employee housing in gateway communities.

[@jrt0127]

Love it hope it happens as we are avid RV enthusiast and hikers

[@Glenn.Cooper]

First time watching one of your videos - and your presentation here is fantastic! Many thanks. The Explorer act also sounds fantastic, and I sincerely hope that it passes.

[@Jared_and_Kayla]

Really appreciate this video Jason!

[@2ndSprings]

No other rule said, "I hate 'the people'" who vote for me" more than this old one did. God, I hate our power-hungry bureaucracies. It's going to take a lot more bills like this that recognize the liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to make people start to thing congress or bureaucrats are worth the cost of our taxes.... SMH

[@624Mike]

Thank you for all the hard work and research. Sounds like common sense is finally being used in filming in OUR National Parks

[@johnglowacki5515]

Good reporting.

[@awesome12q]

I think the US Park Service forgets who the landowners really are. We need to educate them and correct the error in their thinking.

[@mattg8787]

US Park Service is part of the government what did you expect . the government should have less control not more we the people shouldent not filmmakers tho but have to pay to get a permit to film and photograph are own lands

[@maineiacts]

ParkJunkie was looking into that, about filming. Sent to J.D. Vance's'office in D.C. to address it. Yay!!! Its ' WTP's Parks so we ought to have the rights to capture the experiences, and share. ( Without charging us some insane exorbitant fee or apply for a permit, as long as one is responsible etc...

[@donrobinson5540]

Good news!

[@LexicAver]

good thing..... thanks

[@RVMiles]

You're welcome!

[@SLloyd-qb8kt]

Great video! Thank you for all the information!

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure!

[@ideapage]

Thank you for reporting on this. When does it go to the Senate? Are they planning to put this through before this summer's tourist season?

[@RVMiles]

The senate gets it right away, but they can take their time with it if they want. If ty pass it as is, it should happen fairly quickly. If they decide they want to make changes to it, it will get sent back to the house.

[@ideapage]

@@RVMiles Thank you.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Congrats on 100K, we film in NP every summer and put them on youtube, no problems at all, just no droning, boo hoo. One KZbinr getting fined is not a big deal, no small KZbinr is going to be fined in reality. Better to ask for forgiveness than get permission. Hey Jason, you did a really good job explaining both sides of the argument. You are awesome. The bike paths are the best part of this law, lots of good stuff, every RVer should support their lawmakers that are supporting this bill. Please tell me you are using a teleprompter, there is no way you could deliver this content with out one. I have to use one for a two minute video intro. Haha. Larry

[@RVMiles]

Definitely using a teleprompter! I'm really boring without one.

[@CaddyOnRoute]

Like 👍 your updates, Jason. You really caught my attention though when you said near the end of this video, “600 million Americans visit the national parks”. Confused as to whether this is accurate or just an accidental math error. That number is almost twice the number of Americans or maybe you meant to say North American visitors 😂 anyhow I do enjoy the updates. Please keep up the good work! And Thank You!!

[@RVMiles]

Yeah, that's an awkward quote. It would have been more accurate to say there were 600 million visits to recreational land last year.

[@Stoic180]

Hello Friends. Thank You, sir, an informative video. The EXPLORE Act is a compromise of competing public land concerns of course. It "seems" OK to me and a real effort to address how folks want to recreate today. As an aging Baby Boomer, not always my cup of tea, but, times change. Gotta run, some neighborhood kids are streaming their music too loud...😠

[@rmccabe117]

Wow. Thats it. wow. Good work sir.

[@RVMiles]

Thank you kindly

[@FlewTheCoop]

Thanks for the update

[@ZeroPointZap]

Raul Grijalva is a pretty good guy... thanks for the info...

[@StephenRicket]

What are some options that could make this a better experience for filming inside the parks? First of all designate areas for filming. Then create an, IN OFFICE, application process where persons (in this example want to film with a drones), where they provide their credentials (including their FAA 107 license, their FAA drone registration, and their flight plans (you can develop in the office with the staff), and proof of insurance. This system can be a joint venture between the park service (rangers) and the FAA. The park service enters your information and it spits out a report that includes your legal flight status and could also include violations and investigations. Some people would be DENIED permits because of their FAA accident/misconduct report, while others would be denied because their license is not valid or their drone(s) are not registered, and even that their insurance policy is not adequate. The park does not need to inspect your drone or your log book because that falls upon the pilots responsibilities. UAS pilots should be permitted either specific launching / landing points (like a helo pad) or from designated locations with good visibility of the planned flight route. Pilots should wear a pilot vest and their visual observer(s) should wear a similar vest for easy identification by park staff.

[@ivanfrank_]

Heck yeah 🎉

[@vancelasalle3380]

What it the fee that’s charged? Is it a different amount for different projects?

[@RVMiles]

Yeah, it depends on the size of the "crew" and the number of days, etc. Plus there's an application fee that varies. One channel in the comments just mentioned they paid $300 for 2 people at Yosemite. Can be $150 a day, can be no fee except for the application.

[@vancelasalle3380]

@@RVMiles thx 👍

[@mitchrumfelt9609]

Any updates on this bill advancing to the senate for debate?

[@RVMiles]

@@mitchrumfelt9609 stalled at the moment unfortunately. I’m thinking this might be taken up in the lame duck session post-election.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

How does the current rule affect Appalachian Trail hikers? The AT is part of the National Park system.

[@Learningtotravel]

Unfortunately it looks like the Explore Act (H.R.6492) as not moved an inch in the senate.

[@paullarson3417]

Thank you, thank you for pronouncing Zion National Park correctly. It rhymes with lion.

[@philandthedash1682]

Great video! Also, like the new studio set up. I think the NPS is overlooking the value / benefit of all the free content / PR they are receiving from content creators. We found your channel a long time ago when searching YT for National Park content. Of the 20+ parks we have visited, most were researched thru KZbin rather than the NPS sites. As a creator with a small channel, I've chosen not to film our NPS visits because of the former rule on permitting. I'm not monetized, so did that rule apply? If down the road I am monetized, could I be liable for a fine ? It just is not worth it to me. Yes, we still research NPS sites on KZbin, and continue to plan trips based on those creators experiences.

[@MHow1900]

Hope it makes it into law!

[@TheBroadcastEngineer]

Does the NPS go through the permit and fee process when they film their own social media videos? They’re always posting videos of their rangers talking about things and posting it to Instagram.

[@jeffgerritsen972]

Sounds like a great act. I hope it passes. I will contact my two senators and encourage them to pass the explore act.

[@greg1229]

After looking on line it appears the bill is sitting in the Senate. Been there since April 10th. I would say, contact your local Senator and push to get them to bring it to a full Senate vote. Get this settled once and for all....maybe..lol

[@harrygoodman6724]

Finally! A bill that addresses a comprehensive list of issues, but in a common sense kind of way. Love it. Take the advice… contact your senator to let him/her know your support of this bill.

[@GinaBennett-i5r]

Wow!!! 🤞Here"s hoping this Bill gets passed...

[@bwbrady8372]

Good news.

[@DuffyGabi]

In my frequent trips into the parks in the last 10 years the only disruption or nuisance I’ve encountered related to any technology is selfie sticks and females aged 15 to 30 who won’t stop taking selfies.

[@danoonthego9539]

This is the first law that I have heard coming up in Congress that makes so much sense and that obviously members used their heads for the common good and not their own pockets or parties. Maybe there is still hope for the US after all.

[@Galaxy7Tab-q6u]

Does the act increase the budgets of these agencies? Sounds like a lot of income is being decreased and more expenses being added.

[@RVMiles]

It doesn't. These are what we'd call unfunded mandates. But, the majority of it is policy stuff.

[@andrewfidel2220]

I doubt these were significant drivers of revenue, probably a handful of people went through the time and expense of obtaining a permit each year at any given park.

[@minirunt]

Should be noted that the government has no copyright or patent rights. Government, in this case NPS, does not own or have exclusive rights to the parks. This is similar to cops prohibited filming of their activities, which is cannot be prohibited.

[@dianedelehanty6233]

I would love to see a bill that would make a national fishing license a reality. I understand that each state makes money on license fees but for those of us that are always traveling, getting a license in each state we visit can get very costly. The result is often people fishing without a license of any kind and hoping they don't get caught.

[@MichaelDiazrandom]

Much better mic

[@timwoody3835]

As I listened to this I was stricken with the absurdity of the judges’ arguments - that recording a video - was not part of the act of free expression. By this logic doing typesetting is not an act of free expression and can be prohibited. Even the act of setting pen to paper could be deemed not an act of free expression by some convoluted form of logic. As for the rest of the bill, I think that this is one of the better ways to spend our money. There is so much land, primarily in the west, that is federally owned and controlled that expanding access to it and making it more available to more people doing different activities is a great use of federal funds.

[@CuriosityTreks]

Fingers crossed this bill passes. It sounds like there’s mostly great stuff in it. The idea that I can’t take a GoPro into a national park and then post it on social media is ludicrous 🤨.

[@wildhorsesrvadventures]

Sounds fantastic... I hope this bill passes. ❤

[@jasongonzales6278]

I think the bill is a step in the right direction for sure, I like all the improvements and new things coming from it, but I do wonder how it will affect the visitation numbers. If parks are already busting at the seams, will he new improvements further tax the resources?

[@RVMiles]

A big part of the bill that I really didn't go into is trying to promote and advertise recreation opportunites accross the whole system of federal lands, and I think that can go a long way to get people to realize they don't have to go to the most popular national parks for enjoyment - or to national parks at all.

[@cconstancemarie]

The way you explained the bill I like everything but the cell towers. As a working person I go to the parks so my employer can’t contact me an I can have a real vacation. I take my garmen in case I need help. I do understand the need for more access for emergencies as we all have seen those hikers who are not prepared and end up getting hurt. Ie hiking the Narrows in flip flops or hiking in Red Rock National Conservation park with a beer in their hands no water and it’s 80 degrees in the desert. So I get the need for cell towers for access but I’m not thrilled. I am happy about the filming part. That will be awesome.

[@mrmotofy]

You can power off, silence, disable or ignorehones devices. The safety aspects alone make communication extremely important. A hiker slips and falls gets critically injured and nobody knows exactly where they are or how to reach them. Can't give life saving info to help etc. Car accidents or similar happen and can't report it without driving miles away.