Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument Business Services
The Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe'National Monument's Business Operations Division is responsible for the oversight of commercial visitor services throughout Colonial National Historical Park and Fort Monroe National Monument as authorized by concession contracts, commercial use authorizations (CUAs), and leases. Additionally, the division is responsible for the park’s recreational fee fee program.
A concessions operation is a way of providing commercial visitor services such as food, lodging, and retail through a third party (concessioner) within a national park. These services, provided through the use of concession contracts, must be necessary and appropriate for visitor use and enjoyment. Concession contracts are generally valid for 10 years or less but can extend for as many as 20 years. Concession contracts specify the range of facilities accommodation, and services types the concessioner agrees to offer. The rates the concessioner can charge for these services are approved by the National Park Service and must be comparable to those under similar conditions outside the park.
Commercial use authorizations are granted to private businesses to permit small-scale commercial activities. CUAs may be issued to authorize services that:
1. Are determined to be an appropriate use of the park;
2. Will have minimal impact on park resources and values; and
3. Are consistent with the purpose for which the unit was established, as well as all applicable management plans, park policies, and regulations.
Leases can be issued for NPS land or certain structures that are not subject to authorization through a concession contract for commercial use authorization. Leased property must be used for an activity and in a manner that is consistent with the purposes established by law for the park. For example, a NPS property, such as a restaurant that is more frequently visited by non-park visitors can be leased to a third party. Leases are issued for rental rates that are at least equal to the fair market value of the leased property. Leases can be issued for up to 60 years in order to provide a viable leasing opportunity in light of investment requirements and other relevant factors.
Out of the 423 units in the National Park Service (NPS), 111 parks charge an entrance fee. The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) allows the NPS to collect and retain revenue and requires that fee revenue be used to enhance the visitor experience. At least 80 percent of the money stays in the park where it is collected, and the other 20 percent is used to benefit parks that do not collect fees.
For NPS wide information, please follow the links on leasing, commercial use authorizations and fees. More park specific information and the latest updates about commercial use authorizations, leases and entrance fees can be found below. You can also ( e-mail us) the Business Operations Division with questions. If you are interested in hosting an event in the park, please follow this link to our permits and special park use page.
For more information on leasing please visit our leasing page.
Commercial Use Authorizations:
Road Based Commercial Tours will continue to pay the flat fee schedule for a Tier 2 park in the following link until May 2022.
Starting in June of 2022, Road Based Commercial Tours will only be required to pay the per person fee for each passenger according to NPS policy stated below:
9.3.3 Entrance Fees Collected at a Walk-up Location
When entrance fees are collected at a walk-up location, such as a visitor center or walk-up kiosk, parks should charge each individual in a commercial group the per-person fee. Parks should not use the Commercial Tour Fee Schedule if the entrance fee is not collected as the vehicle enters the park. Parks with special circumstances should contact their Regional Fee Manager. The driver and guide will not be charged an entrance fee. Passes are accepted for entry at per-person fee parks as stated on the back of the pass.
