Commercial Use Authorizations

You must have a permit, contract, or other written agreement to operate a business in a national park. A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a permit to provide commercial visitor services in a park. Unlike concession contracts, CUAs are limited to 2 years and only authorize you to do business in a park. You aren’t required to use a CUA after receiving it. Find and apply to open CUA opportunities

What is a CUA?

Each national park issues CUAs for commercial visitor activities and services appropriate for that park. Depending on the park, you may be able to apply for a CUA to offer services like

• Bus, boat, bicycle, or other vehicle tours
• Equipment rental
• Food and beverage services
• Guided fishing or hunting
• Guided hiking or backpacking
• Luxury camping or “glamping”
• Art instruction

CUAs may be valid for different lengths of time, up to a maximum of 2 years.

CUAs vs. Concessions

CUAs are different from concession contracts. While concession contracts require you to provide the contracted service, CUAs do not. CUAs only authorize a permit holder to do something. You can choose to not conduct business in a park after receiving a CUA.

Do I need a CUA?

You must have a CUA to provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for park visitors that

1. Take place at least in part on lands managed by the NPS
2. Use park resources
3. Result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you, and
4. Aren’t included in any existing concession contracts you hold.

If you already have a concession contract, you don’t need an additional CUA to deliver those services. However, you may still need a CUA to conduct business not included in the existing contract. For example, if you have a contract to manage a campground and want to start offering guided fishing trips, you may need a separate CUA for fishing guide services.

How to apply for a CUA

1. Choose a CUA Opportunity

Current CUA opportunities at each park are published online.

See parks accepting CUA applications

Note: the list linked above only includes parks that are currently accepting applications. To plan for the next application period at a park, check the park website. Many parks publish information about upcoming CUA opportunities, including important dates and the types of CUA the park issues.

Find a park

2. Review the CUA conditions and requirements

Each CUA opportunity includes a list of terms and conditions, requirements, and fees. Some conditions and requirements apply to all CUAs, others are specific to the park and service provided.

Insurance

Most CUA holders are required to have general commercial liability insurance in the amount of at least $500,000 per occurrence. Additional insurance may be required depending on the park and service provided. For example, you may be required to have auto insurance to operate a vehicle tour.

Training certifications

Other documentation like training certifications may be required for certain CUAs.

Reporting

If you are granted a CUA, you must submit an annual report of visitor use statistics, injury data, and revenue. The report is due at the end of February for the preceding operating year (e.g., a report for 2026 will be due in early 2027). Parks may require an additional monthly report or information specific to the park or CUA service.

You may be unable to apply for subsequent CUAs if you fail to submit required reports.

3. Review the application and management fees

You must pay a standard, nonrefundable application fee of $350 to submit a CUA application. For subsequent submissions to the same park within the same season, the application fee is lowered to $250.

Most CUAs are also subject to a CUA Management Fee. This fee covers the cost to the NPS of managing and monitoring your CUA. Management fees are determined by the park manager, who typically uses one of four calculation methods:

Direct Cost Recovery Management Fee

Direct cost recovery CUA management fees reflect the exact cost of managing and monitoring your CUA after your application is approved. The park CUA coordinator will tell you the management fee amount at the end of the CUA term. You must pay the fee when you submit your annual CUA report.

Flat Management Fee

Flat management fees are used when the park manager knows the average cost of managing and monitoring a specific type of CUA. The flat management fee is stated in the conditions of your application and is due when you submit your annual CUA report.

Per Person Management Fee

Per person CUA management fees are determined by the number of visitors you bring to the park while providing the service authorized by the CUA. The per person fee is stated in the conditions of your application. You must report the number of visitors you bring to the park when you submit your annual CUA report. The per person fee is due after NPS staff verify the accuracy of your report.

Market Price Management Fee

Market price management fees are based on a percentage of the revenue you earn from in-park or park-based operations. You must include revenue information each year in your annual CUA report. The market price fee is then calculated at the following rates:

• Less than $250,000 earned from park-based operations - 3% of gross receipts
• $250,000 to $500,000 earned from park-based operations - 4% of gross receipts
• More than $500,000 earned from park-based operations - 5% of gross receipts

This is a tiered fee system, best explained by example. If a CUA holder earns $750,000 in gross revenue, the NPS will charge 3% of gross receipts for the first $250,000 earned, 4% for the next $250,000, and 5% for the remaining $250,000, for a total CUA management fee of $30,000.

When you pay a market price management fee, your CUA application fee is credited back to you. In the example above, the CUA holder would only have to pay $29,650 ($30,000 management fee - $350 application fee).

4. Apply

You can apply for a CUA directly from the opportunity listing. The application form will ask for information about your business, including

• Physical and mailing addresses
• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Other people who can act on behalf of your business, like co-owners or authorized agents

You will also be asked to provide information about your business plan, like

• Proposed service locations and times
• Vehicle, vessel, or aircraft you propose to use
• Previous violations

If you plan to use vehicles or aircraft, we’ll need identifying information like

• Make and model
• License plate number
• Aircraft tail number
• DOT number

If you’ll be renting or leasing the vehicles and don’t have this information yet, you can submit your application and provide the details later.

Finally, you’ll be asked to upload your proof of insurance and any other required documentation, and to pay the application fee.

After submitting your application, you can check its status at any time. The park will typically approve or deny your application within 14 days.