Important Information:2024 CUA Application Fees:
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|
Old Name |
New Name |
Activity |
|
Backcountry Hiking |
Hiking-backcountry |
No Change - Authorizes guided day hiking and overnight backpacking trips below the rim. A separate backcountry camping permit is required for overnight backpacking. |
|
Bicycle Tours |
Bicycle Tours |
No Change - Authorizes road-based guided bicycle tours. The use of Class 1 e-bikes is authorized with this CUA. |
|
Photography and Art Workshops |
Photography Instruction |
No Change - Authorizes road-based above the rim instructional workshops that focus on the scenic, cultural, and/or natural resources of Grand Canyon to create an instructional based experience designed to improve a photographer's or artist's skills and/or techniques. |
|
River Equipment Rental & Delivery |
Equipment Rental |
No Change - Authorizes delivery service of river rental equipment to Lee’s Ferry and pick up of same at Pearce Ferry for authorized private, non-commercial river permit holders. Transportation of clients to and from put-in/take-out trailheads for passenger exchanges is permitted with this CUA. |
|
Road Based Tour/Transportation |
Road-based Commercial Tours - bus, van, auto, etc. |
No Change - Authorizes guided road-based interpretive tours, recreational shuttle services, guided motorcycle tours, and motorcoach charter services. Limited guided hiking above the rim is permitted with this CUA. |
|
Tuweep Tours |
Other |
No Change - Authorizes road-based day and overnight guided interpretive tours on the Toroweap Road by motor vehicle. Day trips along the Toroweap Road with stock animals are authorized with this CUA. A separate backcountry camping permit is required for overnight use at Tuweep Campground. |
Additional Information
Backcountry Camping Permits for Overnight Backpacking Operators
In addition to the CUA, Backpacking CUA holders are required to obtain all necessary backcountry camping permits from the Backcountry Information Center. Find more information about Backpacking Permits on the Backcountry Permits page.
Commercial Entrance Fees
Find more information about Commecial Entrance Fees on the Entrance Fees - Commercial Tours page.
Frequently Asked Questions
A CUA is required if an entity provides a good, activity, service, or other function to visitors in a NPS managed area, uses park resources and results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit. Regarding laws, please review 36 CFR 5.1 and 36 CFR 5.3 and PL 105-391, Section 418
Commercial passenger-carrying motor vehicles exception (ex: taxi service): 36 CFR 1.7 section 7.4
Commercial passenger-carrying motor vehicles. The prohibition against the commercial transportation of passengers by motor vehicles to Grand Canyon National Park contained in § 5.4 of this chapter shall be subject to the following exception: Motor vehicles operated on a general, infrequent, and nonscheduled tour on which the visit to the park is an incident to such tour, carrying only round-trip passengers traveling from the point of origin of the tour, will be accorded admission to the park.
Concessioner- Different contract with the park.
Still Photography for commercial use - Still portrait or landscape photography is allowed and a CUA is not required for a professional photographer taking simple portraits (graduations, weddings, etc). The use of models and props may require a separate permit. However, you cannot advertise those services within the park. Grand Canyon does not issue CUAs for any commercial activities that originate within the park.
Travel Agent with no staff present within Grand Canyon National Park - No CUA is required if business is completely conducted outside of Grand Canyon National Park boundaries. If any company staff are present within the park, such as guiding clients to a hotel, a CUA is required.
Tour Operator chartering a Motorcoach- The Tour Operator needs a CUA and the Motorcoach Charter company needs its own separate CUA.
Wedding Planner, Officiant, Photographer for a special event: The client's Special Use Permit (SUP) covers staff hired by the client.
If you have a situation that is not covered by the answers to these questions, feel free to e-mail us with your questions. Please include company name, contact e-mail address and website (if applicable.)
Commercial passenger-carrying motor vehicles exception (ex: taxi service): 36 CFR 1.7 section 7.4
Commercial passenger-carrying motor vehicles. The prohibition against the commercial transportation of passengers by motor vehicles to Grand Canyon National Park contained in § 5.4 of this chapter shall be subject to the following exception: Motor vehicles operated on a general, infrequent, and nonscheduled tour on which the visit to the park is an incident to such tour, carrying only round-trip passengers traveling from the point of origin of the tour, will be accorded admission to the park.
Concessioner- Different contract with the park.
Still Photography for commercial use - Still portrait or landscape photography is allowed and a CUA is not required for a professional photographer taking simple portraits (graduations, weddings, etc). The use of models and props may require a separate permit. However, you cannot advertise those services within the park. Grand Canyon does not issue CUAs for any commercial activities that originate within the park.
Travel Agent with no staff present within Grand Canyon National Park - No CUA is required if business is completely conducted outside of Grand Canyon National Park boundaries. If any company staff are present within the park, such as guiding clients to a hotel, a CUA is required.
Tour Operator chartering a Motorcoach- The Tour Operator needs a CUA and the Motorcoach Charter company needs its own separate CUA.
Wedding Planner, Officiant, Photographer for a special event: The client's Special Use Permit (SUP) covers staff hired by the client.
If you have a situation that is not covered by the answers to these questions, feel free to e-mail us with your questions. Please include company name, contact e-mail address and website (if applicable.)
A CUA is required if an entity provides a good, activity, service, or other function to visitors in a NPS managed area, uses park resources and results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit. Regarding laws, please review 36 CFR 5.1 and 36 CFR 5.3 and PL 105-391, Section 418
If two companies are operating together, and staff from both companies are operating within Grand Canyon National Park, CUAs are needed for both companies.
For example: A tour company is chartering a bus from a different company. Both the tour company and the chartered bus company need their own CUAs.
If two companies are operating together, and staff from both companies are operating within Grand Canyon National Park, CUAs are needed for both companies.
For example: A tour company is chartering a bus from a different company. Both the tour company and the chartered bus company need their own CUAs.
Annual Application Fee: A Road Based Tour/Transportation CUA will be charged a nonrefundable application fee of $300. Effective December 1, 2023, all other CUA activities using the new online CUA Application and Reporting System will be charged a nonrefundable application fee of $350. This fee is due with the application submission.
Market Price Management Fee: In addition to the application fee, parks are required to collect a reasonable fee to recover the costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. CUA holders are subject to a market price fee calculated by gross receipts earned from park-based operations. Application fees are credited to the CUA holder upon payment of market price fee. Fees are based on the following calculations:
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Gross Receipt Amount |
Percentage Management Fee Payment |
|---|---|
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$0.01 - $250,000.00 |
3% of gross receipts |
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$250,000.01 - $500,000.00 |
4% of gross receipts in addition to the prior amount |
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Over $500,000.01 |
5% of total gross receipts in addition to the prior amounts |
- Payment is due by March 31.
- Application and Management fees are paid via Pay.gov.
NOTE: Road Based Commercial Tour/Transportation CUA holders are not charged a management fee.
You will receive an email letting you know we received your application. If you do not receive an e-mail within 5 business days confirming receipt of your application package, please leave a voicemail at (928) 638-7707 and/or e-mail us to confirm receipt.
A staff member will review your application in the next week and either place them in the queue for processing OR send you an email requesting missing information. We require up to 45 days to process a complete CUA application.
We will send you the signed CUA via email and ask you to print out a copy to keep with your tour group when you enter the park. Please read the conditions of the permit carefully before entering the park.
Note: Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. Incomplete applications are not placed in the queue until they are complete. No expedited applications; no exceptions.
We cannot accept faxed applications.
Road Based Tour/Transportation CUA applicants
We highly recommend that you email your complete application packet. This reduces wait time and allows us to better track your application. We recommend you submit your complete application by November 10 if you plan on operating in the park in early January. We require up to 45 days to process a complete application package. Applications will not be expedited. There are no exceptions.
Email your complete application to: grca_permits_mail@nps.gov
You may mail the complete application packet (which takes more time to process) to:
Grand Canyon National Park
Attn: Commercial Services
PO Box 129 (USPS)
3 Camper Services (UPS, FedEx, etc.)
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
Non-Road Based CUA applicants
Applications for all other CUA activities must be submitted using the online CUA Application and Reporting System
Grand Canyon National Park CUA Revocation and Suspension Policy
This policy memorandum is intended to provide guidance regarding the actions taken in the event of a permittee violation (as defined in this policy). The Superintendent, at his or her discretion, may take actions other than those identified and retains the authority to immediately suspend, restrict or revoke a CUA or deny a future CUA application for reasons not covered in this policy memorandum.
PDF Display or Printing Issues?
Using a web browser to view and print our PDF forms and publications? You may experience issues where the PDF does not display or print correctly. Some web browsers do not automatically open PDFs using the Acrobat Reader application.
Things to try (1) Select the Acrobat Reader plug-in for your browser's default application for viewing/ printing PDFs. or (2) You can right click and save the PDF document to your desktop and then open it with the Adobe Reader application, and print from there. Get the newest version of free Adobe Reader.
Scanning documents: You can scan your application with your phone. Search for "Adobe Scan" on your phone's app store.
Last updated: April 2, 2024