Commercial Use Authorizations

2025 Changes to Shenandoah's Commercial Use Authorization Program

Summary of Changes

The National Park Service CUA program has initiated a long-term planning strategy that has resulted in administrative changes across the Service. Beginning in calendar year 2025, Shenandoah National Park will implement these changes. We appreciate your adherence to and cooperation with all current and upcoming CUA requirements.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact the Commercial Services Office at [e-mail].

For frequently asked questions relating to the new online system, visit the NPS CUA Help page.

The changes to the Commercial Use Authorization process will result in three main changes:

1. Implementation of an online CUA system.
2. Standardization of commercial service types.
3. Standardization of management fees based on market pricing.

2025 Changes

1. Online CUA Application and Reporting System

As part of a larger effort to streamline and modernize the National Park Service (NPS) Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) application and reporting process, the NPS began using an online system to process applications and collect required CUA reports for some parks beginning December 1, 2023, for the 2024 CUA season. All parks must utilize the online system beginning for the 2025 CUA season, including Shenandoah. NPS collected public comments on its implementation of the online CUA system in August and September 2023.

The online CUA system standardizes CUA application fees across the service. For the 2025 CUA season, Shenandoah National Park will implement these standard CUA application fees. The CUA application fee will be $350 for the first application submitted by the applicant to Shenandoah National Park and $250 for any subsequent applications submitted from the same applicant.

The online system will begin accepting 2025 applications after Jan 1, 2025.

In addition, starting in 2025, all authorizations will expire at the end of the year in which the authorization was issued. Interested parties can an apply any time during the year for the current year’s CUA and beginning November 1 for next year’s CUA.

2. CUA Service Types

Shenandoah National Park will amend the number and titles of commercial activities authorized by CUA (hereafter referred to as CUA Service Types) for the 2025 season. The online CUA system requires you to apply for individual CUA Service Types and pay the standard application fees explained above. 

CUA Service Type	Included Activities	Application Fee*	Management Fee
Camping – backcountry	The Camping – backcountry CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided overnight hiking/backpacking services for private individuals, groups, or organizations.	$350	Market Price
Hiking – backcountry	The Hiking – backcountry CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided hiking services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.	$350	Market Price
Fishing – spin or fly	The Fishing – spin or fly CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided spin or fly fishing services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking and fishing in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.	$350	Market Price
Climbing/ Mountaineering – day trip	The Climbing/Mountaineering – day trip CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided rock climbing services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking and climbing in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.	$350	Market Price
Bicycle Tours	The Bicycle Tour CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided electric or non-motorized bicycle tour services on paved roads for private individuals, groups, or organizations.	$350	Market Price
Photography Instruction	The Photography Instruction CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided photography tours, instruction and workshops of landscapes for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking in non-wilderness areas only. This CUA does not authorize use of models, sets or props or activity in Wilderness.	$350	Market Price

*There is a $250 application fee for any subsequent applications submitted from the same applicant.

If you are interested in providing a service type not listed here, contact of the Office of Commercial Services at [e-mail].

3. Management Fees

The National Park Service (NPS) is required by law to collect a fee for CUAs at an amount at least sufficient to recover the NPS’s costs to administer and manage the CUAs. The NPS requires CUA applicants to pay an application fee and CUA holders to pay a separate management fee. Management fees allow the NPS to recover the costs to the park for supporting and monitoring the commercial use and for any cleanup or restoration of the site after the use has occurred. Paying CUA fees does not eliminate the requirement that you pay applicable entrance fees.

For the 2025 season, Shenandoah will implement a standard market price management fee. This fee will be due at the end of the 2025 season based on the data submitted in your 2025 annual report. The management fee must be paid no later than January 31, 2026 for the 2025 season. Failure to submit your 2025 annual report and pay the corresponding management fee will prevent you from being issued a future CUA.

A Market Price Management Fee is based on a percentage of your revenue earned from in-park or park-dependent operations. The fee is not based on your overall revenue or on revenue earned from services not authorized by the CUA that do not occur in-park or are park-dependent. The NPS defines park-dependent operations as those commercial activities that are packaged and sold, marketed to include, or coincidentally include, entry into the park boundaries for part or all of the activity duration.

The market price fee calculation is:

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

The market price fee is a tiered fee best explained by example. Suppose a CUA holder earns $750,000 in gross revenue by providing the service authorized by the CUA. The NPS will charge 3% of gross receipts for the first $250,000 earned, 4% for the next $250,000, and 5% for the remaining $250,000, for a total CUA management fee of $30,000, minus the application fee.

 

What do I need to know before applying?

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 Shenandoah; will have minimal impact on Shenandoah’s resources and values; and are consistent with Shenandoah’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

When is a CUA required?

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 Shenandoah,
• 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.

What are the approved CUA service types?

 

CUA Service Type	Included Activities	Requirements*	Group Size Limit**
Camping – backcountry	The Camping – backcountry CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided overnight hiking/backpacking services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Backcountry Permit – required for each trip. Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101 Course  Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Hiking – backcountry	The Hiking-backcountry CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided hiking services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.   See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101  Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Fishing – spin or fly	The Fishing – spin or fly CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided spin or fly fishing services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking and fishing in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.  See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101 Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Climbing/ Mountaineering – day trip	The Climbing/Mountaineering – day trip CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided rock climbing services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking and climbing in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.  See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101  Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Bicycle Tours	The Bicycle Tour CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided electric or non-motorized bicycle tour services on paved roads for private individuals, groups, or organizations.	First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101	10
Photography Instruction	The Photography Instruction CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided photography tours, instruction and workshops of landscapes for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking in non-wilderness areas only. This CUA does not authorize use of models, sets or props or activity in Wilderness.	First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101	10

*Backcountry permits are required for each overnight trip. Old Rag day-use tickets are required for each trip to the Old Rag area between March 1 and November 30. One trip guide/leader per trip must be certified in the above listed First Aid/CPR and Leave No Trace courses. Proof of certifications is not required with the application but must be made available upon request.

**Group size limit includes clients, trip leaders, guides, and any other employees.

Can I conduct commercial services in Designated Wilderness?

Nearly 40% of land at Shenandoah National Park is Designated Wilderness. In order to preserve wilderness character, the number of CUAs issued that authorize activity in wilderness will be limited to the following:

• Camping – backcountry: 6
• Hiking – backcountry: 6
• Fishing – spin or fly: 3
• Climbing/ Mountaineering – Day Trip: 3
• Bicycle Tours: prohibited in Wilderness
• Photography Instruction: prohibited in Wilderness

If you would like to conduct commercial services in Designated Wilderness (map), make sure that you are applying for the correct CUA type with “Wilderness and non-wilderness” under “Specific Location”.

There are no limits to the numbers of CUAs issued for non-wilderness areas.

These limits are currently under review and may be updated in the future.

Additional resources for understanding Designated Wilderness:

• Wilderness.net
• NPS Wilderness Site

Can I conduct commercial services on the Appalachian Trail?

The Shenandoah National Park Commercial Services Office will not issue any CUA allowing a CUA Holder to conduct commercial services on the Appalachian Trail  (AT80). Any use of the AT80 (emergencies not withstanding) is a violation of the CUA Special Conditions and is grounds for immediate revocation. The Appalachian Trail Management Plan, an agreement between Director, National Park Service and Chief, National Forest Service for the management of the AT on federal lands, specifically calls out commercial activity as contrary to the idea and intent of the simple footpath.

 

How do I apply for a CUA?

Starting in 2025, all CUA applications will go through the online CUA system. Search by park or by service type to apply.

For frequently asked questions relating to the new online system, visit the NPS CUA Help page.

Step 1: Know when to apply.

Interested parties can an apply any time during the year for the current year’s CUA and beginning November 1 for next year’s CUA. CUA’s are issued for one calendar year, expiring on December 31, regardless of when you apply.

The online system will begin accepting 2025 applications after Jan 1, 2025.

Please note that Shenandoah requires at least 30 days to process a CUA application and applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

Step 2: Apply.

For a complete list of requirements and to apply, visit the online CUA system.

Application packages may vary by service type but generally require the following items:

1. Application – includes company and contact information.
2. Application Fee – the nonrefundable application fee for CUAs is $350 for the first service type. The application fee for subsequent service types at the same park from the same applicant is $250.
3. Insurance – commercial general liability is required for all CUA types. Commercial auto liability may also be required.
4. Operating Plan – upload a plan for this year’s operation including intended dates/locations, sample itineraries/packages, guide/employee information, safety information, group sizes, and other relevant information.
5. *See note below about use of a Visitor Acknowledgement of Risk.

Required items that do not need to be submitted with the application, but must be made available to the NPS upon request:

1. Copy of safety information provided to clients
2. Employee list
3. Vehicle list
4. Required certifications – listed above by service type

*Visitor Acknowledgment of Risk (VAR) –

The holder is not permitted to require clients sign a waiver of liability statement or form, insurance disclaimer, and/or indemnification agreement waiving the client’s right to hold the CUA holder responsible for accidents or injury occurring on NPS property.  The holder is permitted to request or require a client to sign a form or statement acknowledging risk and/or indicating that certain prerequisite skills may be needed to participate in the commercial activity. 

If choosing to use a VAR, the applicant must provide the park with the current copy of all forms and/or statements used for this purpose and obtain written approval by the park to use the form and/or statement. Use of the sample VAR form only requires approval from the commercial services office. Any other VAR, or substantial changes to the sample text, may require NPS solicitor review and approval.

Step 3: Visit the park.

Entrance Fees: CUA holders are required to pay applicable park commercial entrance fees for each group entering the park according to activity type or vehicle size. Entrance fees may be paid on site at park entrance stations or ahead of time on recreation.gov.

Required Documentation: While in the park, the CUA holder or guide must have a printed or downloaded digital copy of the CUA and all conditions pages with them at all times. This must be presented to NPS staff, including but not limited to entrance station staff, law enforcement officers, and commercial services staff, when requested. It is the holders responsibility to know and follow all conditions of the authorization, park regulations, and federal law.

Step 4: Complete reporting and pay management fees.

Annual Reports: You are required to submit an annual report through the online system by January 31 for the previous calendar year operations. Failure to submit an annual report may lead to suspension or denial of future CUAs.

Camping, hiking, climbing, and fishing CUA holders are also required to submit the supplemental activity report spreadsheet, due at the time of the annual report. 

Management Fees: In addition to the application fee, CUA holders must pay a management fee to allow Shenandoah to recover costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. The required management fee for each CUA service type and additional details can be found under “CUA Fees” for that service on the CUA online system. The management fee must be paid annually no later than January 31, for the prior year, based on the information that you provide in your annual report.

Failure to submit your annual report and pay the corresponding management fee will prevent you from being issued a future CUA.

 

Contact Information

For questions about commercial use authorizations or applying please contact the Commercial Services Office at [e-mail].