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Commercial Use Authorizations

What is a CUA?

A commercial use authorization (CUA) allows an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park unit. The National Park Service (NPS) issues CUAs to manage a wide-range of commercial visitor services.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial does not issue CUAs for road-based commercial tours operating within the park. This policy varies throughout the National Park Service. Please check with individual park units for specific CUA requirements.

Federal law mandates the NPS issue CUAs only for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of the park,
• will have minimal impact on park resources and values, and
• are consistent with the park purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

Why does the National Park Service require CUAs?

The requirement is in 36 CFR 5.3 - It is illegal to conduct business in a park area without a permit, contract, or other written agreement. Additionally, Public Law 105-391 Section 418, passed in 1998, provides NPS the authority to issue CUAs to allow business operations and requires NPS to collect a reasonable fee for CUA administration and management.

Do I need a CUA?

You may not conduct commercial activities in a park unit without a valid CUA.

A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part on lands managed by the National Park Service,
• use park resources, and
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

 

How to Apply:

Download the application and follow the instructions on the form.

If you are interested in submitting an application, please contact the park via email or calling 605-574-3131.

National Park Service CUA Information

Mount Rushmore CUA Fee Schedule (effective June 1, 2021)

Mount Rushmore CUA Application NPS Form 10-550

Mount Rushmore CUA Annual Report NPS Form 10-660

Visitor Acknowledgement of Risk - Sample

Mount Rushmore National Memorial will begin accepting CUA applications through an online system starting on January 1, 2025.

The online system includes a standard CUA application fee. For the 2025 CUA season, the standard CUA application fee across all national parks will be $350 for the first application submitted by the applicant and $250 for subsequent applications from the same applicant to the same park. Application fees will be collected through the system upon application submission.