Commercial Use Authorization Program Overview

More Information

• How to Apply for a CUA
• CUA Fees, Insurance, and Required Reporting
• CUA Conditions
• Superintendent's Compendium

 

Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Program Updates

 

Standardization of the National Road Based Commercial Tour CUA Program

Road-Based Commercial Tour (RBCT) CUA Defined

Starting for the 2026 CUA season, RBCT will be defined as:

One or more persons traveling within a single 16+ passenger capacity vehicle on an improved roadway on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. RBCT CUA holders provide no other services except those that are incidental to road-based travel in an area unit of the National Park System (on-board interpretation and incidental stops at visitor centers, restaurants, wayside exhibits, etc.). At the discretion of the area superintendent, CUAs issued for RBCTs may cover minor additional services such as guided day hiking.

It is important to note that the new definition of a RBCT CUA includes a size restriction of 16+ passengers. The Smokies has created a new CUA category, Guided Interpretive Tours, to manage those commercial operations that carry 15 or fewer passengers.

Transportation-only services such as taxis, shuttles, and on demand ridesharing services do not meet the definition of RBCTs unless those services are sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes.

Entity Responsible for Securing the CUA

The NPS understands the business model for RBCT operators can make it difficult to determine which entity is responsible for securing the CUA. Ultimately, the business entity who assumes the responsibility and liability of the clients travelling in the park is responsible. This entity is most commonly the tour company who accompanies paying clients to the NPS unit(s). It may also be the tour packager who develops and packages the RBCT and sells the RBCT to a third-party (e.g., international tour operator), but does not accompany the clients to the NPS unit(s). In this case, the RBCT CUA conditions require the CUA holder (the tour packager) to assume responsibility for the third-party while that third-party is operating in the NPS unit(s) under the RBCT CUA.

Motorcoach operators who are providing chartered transportation services only are not required to apply for and secure a RBCT CUA, as it is the responsibility of the tour provider to obtain the RBCT CUA. RBCT CUAs provide for the use of owned, rented, leased, or chartered motorcoaches. In some cases, however, parks may require motorcoach operators providing transportation services only and not working under a tour provider's RBCT CUA, to secure a Transportation CUA to avoid unacceptable impacts resulting from the motorcoach operations. Parks will not require a RBCT CUA and a Transportation CUA for a single trip. However, if a single operator is providing transportation and RBCT services on different trips, they may be required to have both a Transportation CUA and a RBCT CUA.

Insurance Requirements

RBCT CUA holders must have a commercial general liability insurance policy in the amount of $500,000 per occurrence and must provide proof of insurance upon application submission through the online CUA system. The general commercial liability insurance policy must list the United States of America or National Park Service as additional insured.

Applicable commercial automobile insurance, as required by the Department of Transportation, is also required for all RBCT operations. RBCT applicants must provide proof of commercial automobile insurance coverage upon application submission for owned tour vehicles. The NPS understands that requiring proof of commercial auto insurance for tour vehicles at the time of application submission is difficult when those vehicles are leased or rented or chartered. Accordingly, the NPS has built into the online CUA system the functionality necessary to accommodate such arrangement. When a RBCT CUA applicant indicates they will use leased or rented vehicles, the online CUA application and reporting system only requires the applicant provide vehicle size because the NPS understands that an applicant may not know additional vehicle information at the time of application. The application conditions, however, include the following language to which an applicant must agree:

If the CUA applicant or holder will use rented or leased vehicles in performance of the authorized service, the applicant or holder must secure appropriate insurance for that rented or leased vehicle in the amount required by the CUA application. If proof of insurance secured directly from the rental or lease company is not available upon application submission, applicants must provide proof of insurance coverage after application submission upon NPS request.

If the CUA applicant or holder will use the services of a chartered transportation company, the CUA conditions will require the applicant to ensure the chartered transportation company meets the Federal and State commercial vehicle insurance requirements but does not require proof of this insurance at any time.

RBCT CUA Fees

The NPS will standardize the RBCT CUA application fee for applications received to operate in 2026 and beyond. A $350 CUA application fee will be due to each park in which a RBCT operator desires to conduct business. A reduced application fee of $250 will be charged for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. The NPS recognizes that some RBCT companies provide other types of services in parks that are not incidental to the road-based travel and the discounted application fee will be applied to those other services. The NPS will periodically review the application fee to ensure cost recovery collection and reserves the right to adjust these fees in the future.

Smokies Specific CUA Program Changes for 2026 and Beyond

Resultant of the changes to the Road Based Commercial Tour CUA, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has added two new CUA’s for those companies that do not meet the RBCT definition. CUA holders may now apply for a Guided Interpretive Tour CUA and/or a Step-On Interpretive Guide CUA.

Guided Interpretive Tour CUA

The Guided Interpretive Tour CUA is for organized groups using an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold as a guided interpretive tour occurring either by foot or by vehicle. Vehicle tours are one or more persons travelling within a passenger capacity vehicle of 15 or fewer passengers on an improved roadway on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. Guided Interpretive Tour CUA holders provide no other in-park services except those that are incidental to road-based travel (on board interpretation and stops at visitor centers, overlooks, wayside exhibits, etc.). CUAs issued for Guided Interpretive Tour CUA’s may cover minor additional services as listed in their CUA.

Step-On Interpetive Guide CUA

The Step-On Interpretive Guide CUA is for one or more guides transported by a client in the client’s vehicle (bus, auto, private or commercial) in which the guide may not drive the client’s vehicle. Step-On Interpretive Guides provide no other in-park services except those that are incidental to road-based travel (stops at visitor centers, overlooks, wayside exhibits, etc.). CUA’s issued for Step-On Interpretive Guide services may cover minor additional services as listed in their CUA.

One-Year CUA Terms

All new CUA’s issued by Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be issued for up to one year and will expire at the end of the year for which the authorization was issued. The annual application window for all CUA types will be from December 1 for next year’s CUA to October 31 of the current year’s CUA. Existing CUA’s issued with expiration dates in 2026 will not be impacted. This change is being implemented to streamline administrative processes and provide greater consistency for CUA holders operating within the park and throughout the NPS’s CUA program.

 

Description of Activities Currently Authorized Through a CUA

 

Road-Based Commercial Tours

One or more persons traveling within a single 16+ passenger capacity vehicle on an improved roadway on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. RBCT CUA holders provide no other services except those that are incidental to road-based travel in an area unit of the National Park System (on-board interpretation and incidental stops at visitor centers, restaurants, wayside exhibits, etc.). At the discretion of the area superintendent, CUAs issued for RBCTs may cover minor additional services such as guided day hiking.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Backcountry Camping

An organized group using an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold as a guided overnight backcountry camping experience. These overnight backcountry camping trips must be led by guides with extensive backcountry hiking/camping experience. Guided fishing and bicycle touring activities are not authorized under this CUA. A separate CUA must be obtained for each additional activity.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Bicycle Tour

An organized group using an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold as a guided bicycling tour experience. These guided bicycle tours must be led by guides with extensive outdoor and cycling experience.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Fishing

A guided instructional fishing experience that has been packaged, priced, or sold to an individual or group which are led by guides with extensive outdoor and fishing experience.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Hiking

This CUA allows for the CUA holder to conduct guided, front country or backcountry day hiking activities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Backcountry experiences must be led by guides with extensive backcountry hiking experience. Off-trail hiking excursions are not allowed. Overnight trips into the backcountry, guided fishing, and guided bicycle tours are not authorized under this CUA. A separate CUA must be obtained for each additional activity.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Photography Instruction

An organized group using an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold as an instructor led photography instruction workshop. Photography workshops embrace the scenic, cultural, and/or natural resources of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to create a facilitated or instructional experience designed to provide a photography opportunity and improve a photographer’s skills and/or photography techniques. Overnight trips into the backcountry are not authorized under this CUA.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Towing

A commercial company who utilizes designated towing vehicles which are equipped to provide emergency road services within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Transport (Non-tour)

These are point-to-point, transportation-only services, also known as hiker shuttle services. Mode of transportation includes vessels, automobiles, and buses. All commercial activity ends when the client exits the mode of transportation.

Visit the CUA Conditions webpage for all CUA terms and conditions.

Step-On Interpretive Guide

One or more guides transported by the client in the client’s vehicle (bus, auto, private or commercial) in which the guide may not drive the client’s vehicle.  Step-On Interpretive Guide Services provide no other services except those that are described within as approved minor out of vehicle activities and those which are incidental to road-based (incidental stops at visitor centers, wayside exhibits, overlooks, etc.) 

Guided Interpretive Tours

The Guided Interpretive Tour CUA is for one or more persons traveling within 15 or less passenger capacity vehicles on an improved roadway on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. Guided Interpretive Tour CUA holders provide no other in-park services except those that are incidental to road-based travel (stops at visitor centers, overlooks, wayside exhibits, etc.). CUA’s issued for Guided Interpretive Tour CUA’s may cover minor additional services as listed in their CUA.