Road-Based Commercial Tours

Apply online for your

Commercial Use Authorization

 

 

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of Joshua Tree National Park;
• will have minimal impact on Joshua Tree National Park’s resources and values;
• and are consistent with Joshua Tree National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

A CUA is 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 in Joshua Tree National Park,
• use park resources, and
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the CUA.

You must be in possession of a valid CUA to conduct business in Joshua Tree National Park.

 

How to Apply

Visit the online Commercial Use Authorization online portal.
Additional required documents that will need to be submitted with your application:

• Current Certificate of Liability Insurance
• Copy of current pricing
• List of all vehicles that may operate inside the park. This must include the vin number and license plate numbers. This can be in an excel format.
• Most recent safety inspection from the CHP and/or DOT. Can’t be more than 12 months old.

Road-based CUA permit holders are required to submit an annual report of their commercial activities in the national park by January 31.

 

Commercial Vehicle Insurance Coverage requirements for Interstate Transport

Commercial Vehicle InsuranceInterstate Passenger Transport	Minimum per Occurrence Liability Limits
Up to 6 passengers	$1,000,000
7-15 passengers	$1,500,000
16-25 passengers	$3,000,000
26+ passengers	$5,000,000

 

Required Certificate of Liability Insurance

CUA applicants must provide proof of required liability insurance coverage upon application submittal, and CUA holders must provide proof of renewed coverage through the CUA term. Typically, that proof is provided through an Acord 25 Certificate of Liability Insurance although NPS may accept other insurance certificates provided they contain the information included on the Acord 25 certificate. The insurance certificate must:

• Be written in English with monetary amounts reflected in U.S. dollars ($) Show the current policy period
• Name as insured the business or person applying for the CUA
• Name the United States of America as additional insured3
• Name as additional insured any third-party doing business under the CUA
• Reflect at a minimum the coverage amount required in the CUA application
• Show any additionally required insurances in the amount required

 

CUA Fees

Application Fee: $300.00 for Road-based Commercial Tours.

Commercial Tour Group Entrance Fees

• 1-6 Passenger Capacity $40.00
• 7-15 Passenger Capacity $50.00
• 16-25 Passenger Capacity $60.00
• 26 + Passenger Capacity $150.00

Passes are not authorized to be used to enter the park while on a road-based tour.
*Travel agencies that organize and book tour groups that will enter the park as part of business operations require a Commercial Use Authorization Permit. Find out more about Commercial Use Authorizations and permits.

 

Approved locations for Road-based Commercial Use Authorizations

• Quail Springs Picnic Area
• Hidden Valley Picnic Area
• Intersection Rock Parking Lot
• Barker Dam
• Cap Rock Picnic Area
• Twin Tanks Parking Lot
• Cottonwood Visitor Center
• Oasis of Mara – Located at park headquarters
• VC29 – New visitor center located in the town of 29 palms

Locations not approved for large buses:

• Joshua Tree Visitor Center
• Skull Rock
• Live Oak Picnic Area
• Split Rock Picnic Area
• Campgrounds
• Keys View Road
• Dirt Roads

 

Violation of CUA Terms and Conditions

First Offense – Permit Office will review the offense and if determined to be a minor offense an interview will be set up and a letter of caution could be issued pending the outcome.

Second Offense – Permit Office will review the offense and submit the review to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for an interview with eh CUA holder and a letter of warning could be issued pending the outcome.

Third Offense – Permit Office will review the offense and submit a review to the Superintendent. An interview will be conducted, and a meeting could be set up if needed. Depending on the outcome of the meeting a 30-day suspension from operating in the park could be implemented.

Forth Offense – Permit Office will review the offense and set up an interview between the CUA holder, Permit Coordinator, Chief Law Enforcement Officer, and Superintendent. Pending the outcome of that interview the CUA holder could have their CUA revoked for the remainer of the year. The Regional Office will be notified that the CUA has been revoked and future CUA could be in jeopardy if you want to renew.

Major Offenses and threat to visitor safety will result in the immediate loss of the CUA and may impact future CUA approval.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the general criteria for the issuance of a CUA?

The authorization is issued to an operator to permit the provision of suitable commercial services to park area visitors. The superintendent determines if an operator has the ability to satisfactorily provide visitor services and carry out the terms of the CUA.

The superintendent determines that the commercial services are “suitable”; that is they (a) will have minimal impact on park area’s resources and values; (b) are consistent with the purposes for which the park area was established; and, (c) are consistent with all applicable park area management plans, policies, and regulations.

The holder must agree to comply with all of the general and specific conditions described in the CUA conditions and operating plans. You should familiarize yourself with these documents before applying for a CUA.

For what length of time is an activity- or service-based CUA issued?

All activity- and service-based CUAs are issued for up to one year. The CUA operating year is from January 1 to December 31.

When is the application period?

Applications will be accepted from October through February. Please submit complete application packets 60 days before your first trip in the park.

Why does the park charge a fee for a CUA?

National Park Service Policy requires the Superintendent to charge a reasonable fee for CUAs. The park retains such fees to help pay for the cost of the CUA program, including administration, evaluations, monitoring, and training.

When are Annual Financial Reports and fees due?

Annual Financial Reports and Management Fee Calculation Forms, which cover the operating year and require reporting of gross receipts and visitors served for each month of that year, are due by January 31st following the end of the operating year. A separate Financial Report and Management Fee Calculation forms are required for each activity a CUA holder has a CUA for. Annual Financial Report and Management Fee Calculation forms will be available by October 1st of each operating year. The Concessions Management Office will review all Annual Report and Management Fee Calculation Fee Forms for accuracy and inform the CUA holder when payment of management fees can be made.

How are CUA fees processed?

Commercial Use Authorization applicants and holders must make all payments for application fees and management fees through pay.gov.

 

Permit Office

The permit office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm (PST). Closed on federal holidays.

Contact us

Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Address:
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
*We are located in office building 101.