The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:
- are determined to be an appropriate use of Saguaro National Park;
- will have minimal impact on Saguaro National Park’s resources and values; and
- are consistent with Saguaro National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.
Who needs a CUA?
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 Saguaro 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.
How much does a CUA cost?
- Annual Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee for CUAs is $350. This fee is due at application submission.
- Market Price Fee: Parks are required to collect a reasonable fee to recover the costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. CUA holders are subject to a market price fee calculated by gross receipts earned from park-based operations. Application fees are credited to the CUA holder upon payment of market price fee. Fees are based on the following:
Market Price Fee (% of gross receipts earned from park-based operations)
- <$250,000 – 3% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
- $250,000 to $500,000 – 4% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
- >$500,000 – 5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
You will receive a bill of collection for the market price from the National Park Service.
Do CUA holders have to pay park entrance fees?
Yes. CUA holders pay the park's per-person entrance fee ($15) for their clients; passes are accepted.
Road-based commercial tour operators pay the commercial tour entrance fee each time they enter the park, based on the length of stay.
What are the reporting requirements?
You are required to submit an annual report (NPS Form 10-660) through this system by January 31 for the previous calendar year operations. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts.
Monthly reports, if required, are due by the 15th of each month for the previous month operations using NPS Form 10-660A.
You must return each report via email. Failure to submit required reports or misrepresentation of reported statistics or earnings will result in denial of your next CUA application.
How do I apply for a CUA?
The 2025 CUA application period will open November 1st, 2024 and will close January 31st, 2025.
To apply for a CUA, go to https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cua/applying-for-a-cua.htm and follow the instructions provided.
Saguaro National Park CUA Revocation and Suspension Policy
This policy memorandum is intended to provide guidance regarding the actions taken in the event of a permittee violation (as defined in this policy). The Superintendent, at his or her discretion, may take actions other than those identified and retains the authority to immediately suspend, restrict, or revoke a CUA or deny a future CUA application for reasons not covered in this policy memorandum.
Entrance Fees for Road-based Commercial Vehicles
- Based on vehicle capacity (not the actual occupancy) for all tour groups and bus companies. Taxis are classified as commercial tours as they do not have regularly scheduled service.
Vehicles with capacity of 1-6: will be charged a Flat Fee of $25.00.
Vehicles with capacity of 7-25: will be charged a Flat Fee of $40.00.
Vehicles with capacity of 26+: will be charged a Flat Fee of $100.00.
- No per person fees are charged as long as passengers are traveling with the original road-based commercial vehicle. Tour passengers who re-enter the park by other means are subject to per person fees. Entrance Fees are NOT refundable and/or transferable. The permit is valid for up to 7 days for the same tour group only.
