News Release

Mount Rainier National Park announces application dates for Commercial Use Authorizations and Special Use Permits in lieu of Commercial Use Authorizations

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Date: June 18, 2024
Contact: Josh Boisvert, 253-392-5424

ASHFORD, Wash. –  Superintendent Greg Dudgeon announced that the park will accept Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) applications starting September 1, 2024, and Special Use Permits in lieu of Commercial Use Authorizations (SUPilCUA) applications starting October 1, 2024.

The application for commercial permits is available for download on the park’s Commercial Services website. Please read through the application instructions, including all associated attachments before applying. Application periods, based upon activity type, for CUAs are as follows.

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA)

Starting June 12-June 30, 2024, the CUA program will accept an additional nine (9) applications for shuttling into the park for a total of ten (10) Shuttle CUAs for 2024
Starting September 1, 2024, the CUA program will begin accepting applications for:

  • 2025-2026 Guided Backpacking (5)
  • 2025-2026 Guided Bicycle Tours (5)
  • 2025-2026 Drive-in Campground Use (10)
  • 2025-2026 Guided Day Hiking (20)
Starting March 1, 2025, the CUA program will begin accepting applications for:
  • November 2025–March 2027 Guided Winter Day (7) and Overnight Use (7)
Applications for Single Trip Guided Climbing and Photography/Art Courses are expected to open in September 2025.

The number of CUAs issued for each activity will continue to be limited under this program per the park’s 2005 Commercial Services Plan. Potential permittees will compete for the award of permits. CUA applications will be accepted until all permits have been issued. To ensure that the most qualified operators are selected for CUAs, application evaluations will occur at the end of each month. If more than nine shuttle applications are received, the Commercial Use Authorization will be issued via a random lottery selection.

The park will accept applications September 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, for the first evaluation round. If there are CUAs available after the September round, there will be a second evaluation of applications received between October 1, 2024, through October 31, 2024.

The park has updated its submission process to online applications. Application submissions will be accepted by online submission only to e-mail us. Applications must have an emailed timestamp within the respective month for consideration in either the first evaluation or second evaluation round.

A CUA Application Form 10-550 can be found here.

Special Use Permits in lieu of a Commercial Use Authorization (SUPilCUA)

Starting October 1, 2024, the Commercial Services Program will again accept Special Use Permit (SUP) in lieu of a Commercial Use Authorization (SUPilCUA) applications for non-profit organizations. Any organized group in which participants exchange money and/or employees are compensated for a service within Mount Rainier National Park is required to get this permit. These organized groups include, but are not limited to, non-profits, city, state, and collegiate recreational programs, government municipality and military morale, welfare, and recreation programs, or those that offer fundraising climbs. 

Applications will be accepted via email only and will be reviewed in fall 2024 for SUPilCUA activities to be conducted during the year 2025. Please complete the CUA Application Form 10-550 for an SUPilCUA and email an completed application packet to e-mail us. These permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and are valid for one year. The SUPilCUA program will continue to issue permits as a limited release. Once limits have been reached, applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis as determined by carrying capacity.

Starting October 1, 2024, the SUPilCUA program will begin accepting applications for: 
  • 2025 Guided Backpacking (5)
  • 2025 Guided Bicycle Tours (5)
  • 2025 Winter and Overnight Use (5)
  • 2025 Single Trip Guided Climbing (10)
  • 2025 Photography and Art Courses (5)
  • 2025 Drive-in Campground Use (5)
  • 2025 Guided Day Hiking (5)
 A SUPilCUA Application Form 10-550 link is located here.

Individuals with questions should contact e-mail us or 253-307-6361.

For general information on Mount Rainier National Park, please visit the park website.   
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on FacebookInstagramTwitter, and YouTube.  



Last updated: June 18, 2024

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