Providing Visitor Services Through CUAs

A commercial use authorization (CUA) allows you to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park unit. A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for park visitors that take place at least in part on lands managed by the NPS; use park resources; and result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you, when a concession contract is not necessary.

Leasing/concession management/CUA management are part of the NPS Commercial Services Program.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Also visit the Commercial Service Program News Feed and BottomLine News Update.

Online CUA Application and Reporting System Updates

The online CUA system has been updated to display application window acceptance dates and allow the public to view conditions, fees, etc. even when parks are not currently accepting applications for that CUA service type. Prior to this update, the system only displayed CUA service types for which the park was currently accepting applications. The new feature is designed to increase transparency and allow commercial operators to better plan future application submission.

Learn more about the online CUA system on the Applying for a CUA page.

Insurance Policy Updates

The NPS has made policy updates to its insurance requirements for CUA applicants and holders per the EXPLORE Act (Public Law No. 118-234). Revised policy (under Commercial Use Authorizations) allows all CUA holders, regardless of risk level, to use exculpatory agreements and NPS will no longer require a holder of a CUA for solely "low-risk activities," as determined by the area superintendent, to have a commercial general liability policy as a condition of issuing the CUA. Additionally, NPS will no longer require State entities to indemnify the United States as a condition of issuing a CUA so long as the State entity maintains the minimum liablity insurance coverage required by the CUA via 1) a commercial general liability policy naming the United States as additional insured in an endorsement to the policy, 2) self-insurance covering the United States as an additional insured, or 3) a combination of these two types of coverage.

Non-US Resident Fees and Passes Changes

Beginning January 1, 2026, nonresidents age 16 and older must pay a $100 nonresident fee in addition to the regular entrance fee at select national parks. Find answers to frequently asked questions about commercial tours and nonresident fees, including commercial tour operator responsibliies and nonresident pass options.

Interagency Annual Passes and Park-Specific Annual Passes Move to One Signature

Beginning January 1, 2024, America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (Interagency) Annual Passes and NPS Park-Specific Annual Passes will have one signature line for a single passholder. Removing the option for a second signature will reduce fraud and make all passes consistent.

Passholders must be present when the pass is used. When charged per vehicle, annual passes will cover entrance fees for one vehicle or up to two motorcycles. When charged per person, each annual pass will cover entrance fees for the passholder and three adults (16 and over). Passes are not transferable.

Update on implementation of EO 14026

To ensure compliance with an applicable nationwide injunction pending appeal, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the NPS will take no action to implement or enforce the implementing regulations for Executive Order 14026 of April 27, 2021, (Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors), codified at 29 C.F.R. part 23, in the context of seasonal recreational services or seasonal recreational equipment rental for the general public on federal lands provided under NPS concession contracts, commercial use authorizations, and commercial leases. This includes those contracts, CUAs and leases that we issued following issuance of the EO and before the injunction or otherwise contain a clause regarding EO 14026 compliance.