National park footage is in high demand for documentaries, campaigns, and content. Here’s how to license it properly — and how creators can turn their visuals into income with Kurator.
From the granite cliffs of Yosemite to the crimson canyons of Zion, America’s national parks have become staples in visual storytelling. These landscapes aren’t just tourist destinations — they’re cultural symbols. Networks, brands, and educational platforms rely on them to tell stories with depth, awe, and authenticity.
You’ll see national park footage everywhere: in Netflix nature docs, tourism campaigns, climate awareness ads, and even fashion films. They serve as powerful backdrops that ground messages in something universally understood — nature’s grandeur. But behind every breathtaking landscape used in media lies one critical factor: licensing.
While national parks are public land, using visuals of them in professional content isn’t a creative free-for-all. Legal rights, permits, and ethical considerations come into play. For example, many parks require commercial permits if footage was captured using professional equipment or drones. Model releases are necessary if people appear in frame. And not all visuals — especially drone shots — are permissible without special clearance.
Kurator helps producers, editors, and brands navigate these details. The platform features content from verified rights holders, making it possible to license footage that’s legally sound and ready for commercial or editorial use. From snowy trails in Glacier to sweeping views of Acadia, every file comes with the paperwork and permissions necessary for stress-free storytelling.
Some parks appear more frequently in creative projects than others. Yosemite’s waterfalls and El Capitan vistas offer instant recognition. Yellowstone’s geysers and bison herds symbolize raw, untamed beauty. The Grand Canyon is a visual shorthand for scale and awe. Others like Zion, Glacier, and the Smoky Mountains provide distinct seasonal colors and topographies that directors and art teams seek out specifically.
Even the moody coasts of Acadia, the subtropical stillness of the Everglades, and the alpine drama of the Rockies are constantly in demand. Visuals from these places capture different moods — peace, power, nostalgia — depending on the project’s goals. If you’ve filmed in one of these locations, chances are your content has value far beyond personal keepsakes.
Kurator organizes national park footage by region, landscape, and theme — making it simple for buyers to find exactly what they need, when they need it. Every clip is backed by clearly labeled licensing terms and quality metadata, so editors and legal teams can work confidently without spending hours clarifying rights.
Files are available in broadcast-ready formats, ideal for streaming platforms, advertising campaigns, or educational tools. Kurator’s library includes both modern footage and historical park visuals, offering producers the ability to blend past and present in seamless storytelling. Whether you're licensing for a tourism board or a global streaming doc, the process is streamlined, efficient, and transparent.
And Kurator doesn’t just stop at the parks. If your production needs lakes, beaches, waterfalls, or rivers, the platform offers high-quality footage of these as well — all curated with the same attention to legality and artistic value.
If you've captured pristine scenes from national parks — sunrise over Half Dome, a grizzly meandering in Yellowstone, the glowing red walls of Bryce Canyon — you may be sitting on an untapped revenue stream. In a content economy that values real-world visuals over stock simulations, this kind of material is gold.
Park visuals have what's called evergreen value. They never go out of style. A clean, well-shot scene from the Smokies or the Badlands can be licensed again and again, across industries and over time. With Kurator, content owners get direct access to media buyers ranging from indie doc teams to major ad agencies. There’s no need for an agent or distributor — just upload, tag, and start earning when your content is used.
Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States — a milestone moment for brands, institutions, and media to reflect on the American landscape, both literal and symbolic. National parks will be front and center in campaigns, retrospectives, and celebrations. Memorial Day and July 4th content will spike. Documentaries on conservation will increase. And the demand for national park visuals will soar.
This is the time for both buyers and sellers to take advantage of the growing attention around America’s natural heritage.
National park visuals offer more than beauty — they bring credibility, emotion, and gravitas to modern media. They connect audiences to place, history, and meaning. Whether you're licensing footage for a global campaign or uploading clips you shot years ago, Kurator ensures your journey is efficient, ethical, and rewarding.
To explore or monetize national park content, visit Kurator.com and be part of the next story told with nature’s help.
Q: Can I license footage I shot in a national park years ago?
A: Yes, as long as you were the rights holder and it meets legal standards (e.g. no recognizable people without release forms, drone use was compliant, etc.).
Q: Are commercial permits needed for all park footage?
A: Not always. But for content captured for commercial use, especially with pro equipment, most parks require permitting. Kurator accepts only footage that follows these regulations.
Q: Can brands use this in advertising?
A: Yes — Kurator allows commercial licensing for footage cleared for those terms.
Q: What park visuals are most in demand?
A: Time-lapse sunrises, wildlife, trail footage, drone landscapes, waterfalls, and iconic formations like Half Dome or the Grand Canyon.