Commercial Use Authorization

Permit Information

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) are a permit issued by the park Superintendent to allow certain commercial activities within the park. Permits are required of all operators who provide any goods, activities, agreements, or other services to the general public which take place (at least in part) in the park, uses park resources, and are undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit to an individual, organization, or corporation. Permits are required of all individuals, organizations or businesses who lead commercial trips within the National Park, or in other ways receive monetary gain or profit from commercial activities that take place within the park.

Commercial aspects, such as advertising, negotiation of compensation, and a receipt of money/compensation must occur outside of the park. Year-round permits coincide with the calender year, starting January 1 and ending December 31. Permits may also be issued for one-time use.

Basic Requirements

• Meet all insurance requirements over duration of permit.
• Comply with all park rules and permit conditions.
• Submit accurate Annual Report within 60 days of permit expiration.

Permit Fees

Application Fee

There is a $350, non-refundable, annual fee. The same applicant will pay a $250, non-refundable, application fee for each subsequent application submitted to the same NPS unit during the same CUA season. Permits will not be renewed from previous years.

All application and management fees MUST be paid on Pay.gov through the online system. A $350 Application Fee must be submitted as part of your complete application package. This fee is cost recovery for staff time to process your application and issue your CUA. Please note that we do not issue refunds for overpayment.

Management Fee

A cost-recovery fee, to recover costs associated with the administration and management of the CUA program. Fees will be based on a percentage of revenue earned from in-park or park-based operations. Market price fees will be based on the following:

• Less than $250,000 earned from park-based operations:
  3% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
• $250,000-$500,000 earned from park-based operations:
  4% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
• More than $500,000 earned from park-based operations:
  5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)

This will be included as part of the annual report. Payment is due at time of Annual Report submission, but must be paid by February 28, 2026 and must be paid via the online system at Pay.gov.

For more information on market-based fees, please see the NPS Commercial Use Authorization Fees Page

Submitting An Application

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is excited to announce the online CUA system. The system is designed to standardize, modernize, and streamline the CUA application and reporting process. The system allows potential CUA applicants and CUA holders to view available CUA opportunities, apply for CUAs, submit required CUA reports, and pay CUA fees.

If you have any questions concerning the Commercial Use Authorization program, please contact the park CUA Coordinator via email.

What if I conduct business without a CUA?

Operating any type of commercial visitor service within Guadalupe Mountains National Park without written authorization from the United States is a violation of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. It is a citable offense. If you are in doubt, please contact the CUA Coordinator either by email or phone.