What is a CUA?
- 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 Olympic National Park;
- will have minimal impact on Olympic’s resources and values; and
- are consistent with Olympic’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 Olympic,
- 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.
Federal regulations prohibit engaging in or soliciting any business in park areas, except in accordance with the provisions of a permit, contract, or other written agreement with the National Park Service.
2025 CUA Application Process
In 2025 Olympic will begin accepting CUA applications using the new NPS online CUA application and reporting system.
CUA applications will only be accepted from January 1, 2025 to May 1, 2025. This is a four month window to submit your application. Applications will not be accepted after 8 AM PST on May 1, 2025. Applications must be submitted a minimum of three weeks in advance of the CUA applicant's first scheduled trip. Applications are processed in the order they are received. Incomplete applications get moved to the back of the list.
For 2025, the non-refundable CUA application fee will be $350, which is the NPS standardized application fee. $50 goes to NPS to maintain the online system. $300 stays in Olympic National Park to cover staff time to process and issue the CUA.
Do CUA holders have to pay park entrance fees?
- Yes. Road-based commercial tour operator/bus and van tours whose service is transporting clients between areas of interest in the park and consist of one or more persons traveling by vehicle on an improved roadway, on an itinerary that someone has packaged and sold for leisure/recreational purposes, do not need a CUA and instead pay the commercial tour entrance fee each time they enter the park, based on the park’s length of stay. Tour leaders with these groups must not accompany clients on walks, hikes or other activities while stopped at these locations in the park. These tours must also not provide shuttle services to clients. Fees & Passes
- Other types of CUA holders pay the park’s per person entrance fee; passes are accepted. Fees & Passes
Commercial Use Authorizations
Olympic National Park issues Commercial Use Authorizations and Non-Profit Special Use Permits to provide for business opportunities in several types of visitor services:
- Bicycle Tours
- Hiking/Walking – Front country
- Hiking – Backcountry
- Climbing/Mountaineering – overnight
- Firewood Sales
- Fishing- spin or fly
- Horseback/Mule/Other livestock
- Photography Instruction
- Skiing/Snowshoeing Tours
- Transport (non-tour) – road
- Outdoor Skills Education
- Boat Tours – non-motorized
- Environmental Education
How do I apply for a CUA?
Olympic National Park will be using the NPS online system for 2025. Follow this link to apply: Home - Commercial Use Authorization (nps.gov).
You must include the following information for your application to be processed:
- Completed 2024 application form
- Current certificate of insurance with appropriate insurance minimums
- Insurance company rating letter
- Receipts of payment for: Application and Management fees
- List of guides and expiration dates of all certificates
- Do not send copies of certificates
- Itineraries for all trips into the park
- Risk management plan
- VAR form (visitors acknowledgment of risk)
Important Links
Other forms needed by Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) or Non-Profit Special use Permit (SUP) applicants and holders as mentioned in the application can be found at the following links. Once you have downloaded a form, select the "View" menu and choose "Edit Document" to enter your data:
CUA Suspension, Revocation, or Denial
CUA holders and their employees are required to meet the conditions of the CUA while operating within Olympic National Park. Failure to meet these conditions may result in CUA suspension, restriction, revocation or application denial. Review the Olympic National Park Commercial Use Authorization Revocation Policy.
Concessions
In Olympic National Park, concessions contracts have been issued to provide certain visitor services. These services include overnight accommodations, food and beverage, retail sales, recreational equipment rental (bikes, boats, skis, and snowshoes), therapeutic hot mineral spring pools, a swimming pool, and campground sites. No other businesses are currently authorized to provide these services in Olympic National Park.
For information about services available at Kalaloch Lodge please visit: http://www.thekalalochlodge.com
For information about services available at Lake Crescent Lodge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Log Cabin Resort please visit: http://www.olympicnationalparks.com
Commercial Filming and Photography Permits
Those interested in commercial filming activities on land managed by the National Park Service are encouraged to contact the park directly for more information about filming in the park and to discuss how to minimize potential impacts to visitors and sensitive park resources.
For more information about photography and filming, please check out Permits & Reservations, email olym_permits@nps.gov, or write to Olympic National Park, attn: Fee Program, 600 East Park Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Federal Contracting
Olympic National Park annually solicits for businesses to assist with a variety of supply, service and construction needs. The park uses the Federal Business Opportunities (https://www.fbo.gov) website to advertise most competitive contracting solicitations. For additional information about contracting with Olympic National Park, please call 360-565-3024.
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding the CUA Application process or requirements, please email e-mail us
