Commercial Use Authorization Permits

Bikes at Craggy Gardens

NPS Photo

Doing Business With The Park

What is a Commercial Use Authorization?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service (NPS) that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service issues CUAs to manage a wide-range of visitor services. Find out more about CUAs in national parks.

Federal law mandates the NPS issue CUAs only for business 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.

Do I need a CUA?

A CUA may be required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part on the Blue Ridge Parkway,

• use park resources, and

• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

36 CFR 5.3 prohibits conducting business in a park area without a permit, contract, or other written agreement. CUA applicants should not book or advertise for business in the park until they are in possession of the authorization.

What activities and services are authorized through a CUA?

The following categories are eligible for authorization on the Blue Ridge Parkway:

Bicycling Tours

Climbing/Mountaineering

Environmental Education

Firewood Sales (at select campgrounds)

Fitness

Guided Interpretive Tours

Hiking/Walking—Front Country

Horseback/Mule/Other Livestock Rides or Services

Horse Drawn Tours (Moses H. Cone Memorial Park)

Photography Instruction

Approved CUA categories may have limits and restrictions at the park’s discretion. Activities and services not included on the list above are currently not approved for CUAs. New CUA categories may be considered in the future, but new category approval requires a thorough and lengthy review process.

CUA Restrictions at the Blue Ridge Parkway

Time of Year Restrictions: NO commercial activity may occur in the month of OCTOBER, on federal holidays, or on weekends containing a federal holiday, including Friday and Monday.

Location Restrictions: The following areas are closed to the issuance of any Commercial Use Authorizations based on inherent sensitive resource protection issues and consistently high levels of concentrated visitor use:

MP=Milepost

Inside any federal building, historic or otherwise

MP 176.2 - Mabry Mill historic area

MP 294.0 – Moses H. Cone Memorial Park parking areas

MP 294.6 – Bass Lake Loop Trail

MP 302.8 – Rough Ridge Overlook and boardwalk

MP 305.2 – Beacon Heights left fork trail

MP 316.4 – Linville Falls

MP 339.5 – Crabtree Falls

MP 364.1 – Craggy Gardens Pinnacle Trail, Pinnacle Scenic View, and Craggy Dome Parking Area

MP 418.8 – Graveyard Fields

MP 422.4 – Devil’s Courthouse

MP 451.2 – Waterrock Knob

How do I apply for a CUA? 

All CUA applications now go through the online CUA system. Search by park or by service type to apply.

For frequently asked questions relating to the online system, visit the NPS CUA Help page.

Applications are accepted year-round. All Parkway CUAs are valid from the date of issue until December 31 of the following calendar year (generally for two seasons).

If you are a CUA holder who provides multiple services in the park—for example, your company provides both bicycling tours and hiking trips—you will be required to get two CUAs to cover both services. Please email us with any questions.

For a complete list of requirements and to apply, visit the online CUA system. Application packages may vary by service type, but generally require the following items:

1. Application—includes company and contact information. Be sure to include specific information about the service for which you are applying (Parkway locations, estimated number of participants, trips, and vehicles, etc.) to avoid delays.

2. Application Fee—the nonrefundable application fee for CUAs is $350 for the first service type. The application fee for subsequent service types at the same park from the same applicant is $250.

3. Insurance—commercial general liability is required for all CUA types. Commercial auto liability may also be required.

4. Annual Report—CUA holders are required to complete an annual report via the online CUA system each year by January 31. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts. If you have held a CUA in the past with the Parkway, your new application will not be processed until you have submitted your Annual Report.

Management Fee

In addition to the application fee, CUA holders must pay a management fee that allows the park to recover costs associated with managing and monitoring CUAs. The Blue Ridge Parkway charges a management fee of $300 per CUA. The management fee will be charged after receipt of the annual report (after the first year of operation).

CUA Suspension, Revocation or Denial

CUA holders and their employees are required to meet the conditions of the CUA while operating within the Blue Ridge Parkway. Failure to meet these conditions may result in CUA suspension, restriction, revocation or application denial. Review the Parkway’s CUA Suspension, Restriction, Revocation and Application Denial Policy.

If you have any questions, please e-mail us.

We look forward to working with you!