Commercial Use Authorizations

CUA Proram Updates

2023 Annual Reports and Management Fees

Current CUA holders for the 2023 season will recieve an email in November with instructions on submitting annual reports and management fees. Annual Report and fees will be due no later than January 31, 2024. 

Please note that current CUA holders must submit their Annual Report and pay any appilcable management fees before a new 2024 CUA will be issued. 

2024 Application Updates

Starting on December 1st, 2023, all 2024 CUA permits will be submitted online using the new NPS Online CUA Application and Reporting System. 

Due to this new application process, the non-refundable annual application fee will increase from $200 to $350. Of that fee, $50 will go to supporting the NPS online sytem while $300 will be used to support the Crater Lake National Park CUA program. Application fees will be credited towards any end-of-year management fees that may be due to the park. 

2024 Market Rate Management Fee Update

Starting in 2024, Crater Lake National Park will no longer allow deductions from gross receipts for in park lodging when calculating management fees. Market Value Management Fees will be calculated from the total gross receipts as stated in the CUA permit. 

 

Commercial Use Authorization Overview

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit obtained through the National Park Service that allows an individual, company, or group to provide commercial activities within Crater Lake National Park. CUAs will be issued for commercial activities that are determined appropriate, minimally impactful to the park, and consistent with the mission of the National Park Service.

Currently, CUAs are issued for the following activities:

• Hiking/Walking Tours
• Bicycle Tours
• Camping - Front or Backcountry
• Photography Instruction
• Guided Birdwatching or Nature Study
• Guided Fishing
• Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours
• Snowmobile/Snowcoach Tours
• Backcountry and Avalanche Safety Instruction

Road-Based Tours

As of 2024, Crater Lake National Park does not require CUAs for Road-Based Tours. Road-Based tours are defined as "one or more persons traveling on an improved roadway on an itinerary that a company or individual has packaged and priced for leisure/recreational purposes. At Crater Lake, tours are considered "road-based" if they provide no visitor services other than those incidental to road-based travel in a NPS unit, including stops at visitor centers, scenic overlooks, and lodging. If a company is planning any other activities beyond those listed above, including hikes with their guests, nature study activities, photography workshops, exc, then the company must obtain a CUA.

The NPS is standardizing Road-Based Commercial Tour (RBCT) CUA requirements and fees agency-wide. Implementation of updated RBCT program has been delayed until further notice. For updates on the status of the standardized RBCT implementation, please visit the NPS Commercial Use Authorizations page. Road-based Commercial Tour operators at Crater Lake will continue to pay the Commercial Vehicle entry fee.

CUA Application Process

In 2024, Crater Lake National Park CUA applications will be submitted through the new CUA Application and Reporting System. Instructions and information on this new system an dhow to apply are forthcoming. Crater Lake National Park issues annual CUAs that are valid through one calendar year.

For more information about the new NPS CUA Application program, please visit the National Park Service CUA application site.

CUA Fees

Annual Application Fees: CUA applicants will be charged a non-refundable fee of $350, which is due when applications are submitted to the park.

Management Fee: at the end of the calendar year, parks are required collect reasonable fees in order to recover costs associated with running the CUA program. Market Price Management Fees are calculated based on the following:

Gross Revenue Generated In-Park	Annual Market Price Fee
<$250,000	3% of gross receipts (less Application Fee)
$250,000 to $500,000	4% of gross receipts (less Application Fee)
>$500,000	5% of gross receipts (less Application Fee)

Park Entrance Fees: CUA holders are required to entrance fees when entering the park. These fees are determined by the size of vehicle and number of guests entering the park. For more detailed information on how the park calculates these fees, please contact our Commercial Services Office.


Questions?

Contact the Commercial Services Office at 541-594-3002 or e-mail us.

Special Use Permits

Fore more information about permits for special events such as wedding ceremonies, scattering of ashes, commercial and non-commercial filming or photography, and more, please visit the Crater Lake Permits and Reservations page.

Academic Fee Wavers

Schools and other academic instituitions can apply for a waiver of park entrance fees, provided that their visit is for educational or scientific purposes. Learn more about academic fee waivers here.