NPS Photo/Fiona Ritter-Davis
Section 418 of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998, Public Law 105-391, authorizes the National Park Service to issue Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) to persons (referring to individuals, corporations, and other entities) to provide commercial services to park area visitors in limited circumstances. CUAs provide a means to authorize suitable commercial services to visitors in park areas. The CUA is used to provide for incidental use of park area resources by operators who provide commercial services originating and terminating outside of the park area (Out-of-Park-Services). The term of a CUA may not exceed two years and no preferential right of renewal or similar provisions for renewal may be provided.
CUA Program Updates & Fee Changes
Visit CUA Program Updates for park-specific program announcements, updates, and fee changes.
CUA Reporting
Each permit year, CUA holders are required to submit two types of reports, the Annual Report (Form 10-660) and Activity Reports for each park unit in which the holder was authorized to operate. Beginning with the 2023 season, CUA holders in Alaska will use the online Visitor Use Reporting system (VURn) to submit Activity Report information as required by CUA permit conditions.
Visit the CUA Reporting webpage to access the online system, user guides, visitor use area maps, and more.
How to Apply for a CUA
- CUA applications will be accepted through the new CUA Online Application System beginning November 2024 until April 30, 2025. Online applicants must complete their application in the system by April 30.
- Businesses may apply for multiple CUA activities but must complete separate applications for each service type (see activity - service type table below).
- Click here to apply or visit https://cua.nps.gov/.
- Watch this instructional video about how to apply for a Commercial Use Authorization using the online system.
- Stipulations for Operating Under a CUA - Commercial Use Authorizations are subject to permit conditions/stipulations. Review the National, Regional, and Park-specific conditions for operating under a CUA.
- Please submit applications a minimum of six weeks prior to the proposed start of operations in the park. This does not guarantee a detmination within that timeframe.
CUA Application Fees and Service Types
- Other than the exceptions listed below, the CUA Online Application System requires a separate application for each service type in each park unit. Use the tables below to identify which park CUA activities align with the online system service types.
- A $350 non-refundable application fee is charged on the first CUA application (service) for a one- or two-year CUA at a park unit. Each subsequent CUA application (for additional services) at the same park is $250 for a one- or two-year CUA.
Exceptions: Alagnak Wild River, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and the Western Arctic Parklands (Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve).
- An application to provide any service type other than Guided Mountaineering and/or Camping-Frontcountry applies to the selected service type in both Katmai National Park and Preserve and Alagnak Wild River. Guided Mountaineering and Camping-Frontcountry require applications specific to Katmai National Park and Preserve.
- An application for some service types may apply to more than one park unit in the Western Arctic Parklands (Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve). Review the tables below and the service type description in the online system for details.
Alagnak Wild River
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Boating Trips |
Boat Tours - motorized |
| Boat Tours - non-motorized | |
| Guided Kayaking | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Bear Viewing | Wildlife Viewing |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
Note: With application approval, unless otherwise restricted, a CUA for a service in Alagnak Wild River is also valid for that service in Katmai National Park and Preserve.
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Boating Trips |
Boat Tours - motorized |
| Boat Tours - non-motorized | |
| Guided Kayaking | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Bear Viewing | Wildlife Viewing |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry |
| Guided Mountaineering | Guided Mountaineering |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Guided Backcountry Camping | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Backpacking | |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry |
Cape Krusenstern National Monument
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type | Western Arctic Parklands Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | ||
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based | CAKR, KOVA, NOAT |
| Guided Activities | ||
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry | CAKR, KOVA, NOAT |
| Guided Kayaking | Boat Tours - non-motorized | CAKR Only |
Note: An application for some service types may apply to more than one park unit in the Western Arctic Parklands (Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), Kobuk Valley National Park (KOVA), Noatak National Preserve (NOAT)).
Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Boating Trips, Guided Kayaking | Boat Tours - motorized |
| Boat Tours - non-motorized | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry |
| Guided Mountaineering | Guided Mountaineering |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Dog Sledding) | Dog Sledding |
Katmai National Park & Preserve
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Boating Trips |
Boat Tours - motorized |
| Boat Tours - non-motorized | |
| Guided Kayaking | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Camping - frontcountry | |
| Guided Bear Viewing | Wildlife Viewing |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry |
| Guided Mountaineering | Guided Mountaineering |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
Note: With application approval, unless otherwise restricted, a CUA for a service other than Guided Mountaineering and/or Camping-Frontcountry in Katmai National Park and Preserve is also valid for that service in Alagnak Wild River. Guided Mountaineering and Camping-Frontcountry require applications specific to Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Kenai Fjords National Park
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Bicycle Tours (roadways only) | Bicycle Tours |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking/Walking - frontcountry |
| Hiking - backcountry | |
| Guided Kayaking | Boat Tours - non-motorized |
| Guided Paddleboarding | |
| Guided Mountaineering | Guided Mountaineering |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Dog Sledding) | Dog Sledding |
| Snowcoach Tours | Snowmobile/Snowcat Tours |
| Snowmachine Tours (Roadways Only) | |
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Guided Activities | |
| Guided Backpacking (US side only) | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Bicycle Tours | Bicycle Tours |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking/Walking - frontcountry |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
Kobuk Valley National Park
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type | Western Arctic Parklands Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | ||
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based | CAKR, KOVA, NOAT |
| Guided Activities | ||
| Boating Trips | Boat Tours - motorized | KOVA, NOAT Only |
| Boat Tours - non-motorized | ||
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry | CAKR, KOVA, NOAT |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry | KOVA, NOAT Only |
Note: An application for some service types may apply to more than one park unit in the Western Arctic Parklands (Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), Kobuk Valley National Park (KOVA), Noatak National Preserve (NOAT)).
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Water Taxi (freshwater) | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Boating Trips | Boat Tours - motorized |
| Multi-day Boating Trips (On Vessel) | |
| Boating Trips | Boat Tours - non-motorized |
| Guided Kayaking | |
| Guided Paddleboarding | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Bear Viewing | Wildlife Viewing |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry |
| Guided Mountaineering | Guided Mountaineering |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
Noatak National Preserve
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type | Western Arctic Parklands Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | ||
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based | CAKR, KOVA, NOAT |
| Air Taxi and Incidental Hunt Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based | NOAT Only |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based | |
| Guided Activities | ||
| Boating Trips | Boat Tours - motorized | KOVA, NOAT Only |
| Boat Tours - non-motorized | ||
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry | CAKR, KOVA, NOAT |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry | KOVA, NOAT Only |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction | NOAT Only |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly | NOAT Only |
Note: An application for some service types may apply to more than one park unit in the Western Arctic Parklands (Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), Kobuk Valley National Park (KOVA), Noatak National Preserve (NOAT)).
Sitka National Historical Park
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Shuttle Service | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Taxi Service | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking/Walking - frontcountry |
Wrangell- St. Elias National Park & Preserve
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Shuttle Service | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Visitor Experience (Unguided) | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Boating Trips | Boat Tours - non-motorized |
| Guided Kayaking | |
| Guided Paddleboarding (Front Country Only) | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking/Walking - frontcountry |
| Hiking - backcountry | |
| Guided Horse Packing, Guided Horse Rides | Horseback/Mule Rides or Services - daytrip |
| Horseback/Mule Rides or Services - overnight | |
| Guided Mountaineering | Guided Mountaineering |
| Guided Photography | Photography Instruction |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
| Visitor Experience (Guided) | Guided Interpretive Tours |
Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve
| Park CUA Activity (VURn Reporting) | Online System Service Type |
|---|---|
| Unguided Trip Types | |
| Air Taxi | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Incidental Hunt Transport | |
| Big Game Transport | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based |
| Guided Activities | |
| Boating Trips | Boat Tours - motorized |
| Boat Tours - non-motorized | |
| Guided Backpacking | Camping - backcountry |
| Guided Hiking | Hiking - backcountry |
| Guided Sportfishing | Fishing - spin or fly |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Skiing) | Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Snowshoeing) | |
| Guided Winter Backcountry Trips (Dog Sledding) | Dog Sledding |
Laws, Regulations, Policies
Doing Business with the Parks
Please visit the individual park websites below for more information about operating in the National Parks.
Last updated: November 4, 2024