Guided Environmental Education Tours CUA

 

Overview

This CUA authorizes interpretive road-based tours, day hiking, and non-instructional photography tours, and allows guides to act as a step-on guide on park roads with visits to facilities and services.

Please Note: Tour groups with over 15 participants and/or motorcoaches with a manufactured capacity of 26 passengers or more do not qualify for this CUA and must enter the park by paying the commercial tour fee at the entrance station. For more information on the commercial tour fee program, please visit Fees & Passes.

General Provisions

1. The Environmental Education Tour CUA includes the following activities:
   1. Road-based tours in which certified guides lead groups in educational and interpretive tours throughout the park, including stops at services, pullouts, developed areas, and boardwalks. Road-based tours allow for incidental photography. Workshops designed as facilitated and instructional photography and painting opportunities must apply for a Painting and Photography Workshop CUA. Portrait photography is not covered under this CUA and requires a Portrait Services CUA.
   2. Day hiking tours include guided and interpretive backcountry hiking tours where participants hike more than ½ mile beyond the road or trailhead. CUA holders are encouraged to stay on designated trails. Specific areas may be closed to off-trail travel. The guide for any day hiking trip within the park must have a basic knowledge of map reading and have a topographic map for the area of their hike. It is recommended that the guide have a compass and knowledge of compass use. Each guide must carry one can of bear spray at all times and be trained in its use. Bear spray for clients is highly recommended.
   3. Step-on guide service is defined as a guide who rides in a visitor’s vehicle, tour bus, or other commercial vehicle and acts as a guide for sightseeing tours. It is the CUA holder’s responsibility to check the clients’ proof of auto liability insurance before the trip.

Operational Requirements

2. Day hiking tours, road-based interpretive tours, and non-instructional photography tours are limited to a maximum group size of 15 participants, including guides.
   1. There is no maximum group size for step-on guide service.
   2. To minimize impacts on natural resources, CUA holders conducting day hiking tours are limited to no more than three separate groups in the backcountry per day, with no group exceeding 15 participants, including guides.
   3. There is no limitation to the number of groups a CUA holder can take for road-based tours as long as the group size of no more than 15 participants per group is adhered to.
   4. Separate groups must be dispersed and may not congregate on boardwalks, pullouts, trails, or trailheads.
3. Guides are encouraged to stay on designated trails, avoid using social trails, and avoid creating new social trails to reduce impacts to resources.
4. Day hiking groups will immediately report any evacuations, hazardous trail conditions, or observed resource impacts to the Central Backcountry Office, (307-344-2160 or e-mail us) and Commercial Services Office as soon as possible or following trip conclusion.
5. Parking spaces are available on a first-come first-served basis and may not be blocked or saved.
6. Impeding traffic or causing unnecessary delays in traffic is prohibited.
   1. Slow moving vehicles must use roadside pullouts and parking areas to allow free flow of other traffic. Vehicles must be entirely over the white line when stopping on the side of the road.
   2. Vehicles must not stop in the roadway to allow clients to take pictures or load and unload passengers.
7. Vehicles shall not be left idling in parking areas or park across multiple parking spaces. Loading zones must not be occupied longer than necessary to load and unload passengers.

Staff Requirements

8. Guides must meet the following requirements:
   1. Attend one Resource Education Training given by Yellowstone National Park in the spring, watch a recording of the most recent Resource Education Training, or provide an outline of your Yellowstone specific training given to employees, and
   2. Complete and pass a test regarding Yellowstone National Park’s natural and cultural resources, as well as park regulations. All answers can be found in the Yellowstone National Park Resource and Issues Handbook. The test is available at: Yellowstone Environmental Education Guide Test.

 

How to Apply for This Activity

1. Apply for a 2025 CUA through the CUA Online Application and Reporting System (COARS).
2. To view tutorials on how to apply for a CUA using COARS please visit: How to Apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Permit.
3. 2024 permit holders, please visit Annual Reports and Management Fees to complete and submit reports and pay fees (due by January 31, 2025).
4. For proposed commercial operations taking place prior to December 31, 2024, please contact the Commercial Services Office at [e-mail] for application materials.

 

Resources

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)
Main CUA page Apply for a CUA FAQs CUA Annual Reports Guide Info Registration and Park Entry Protocol	CUA Law and Policy CUA Denial and Revocation Policy Special Use Permits Backcountry Permits Special Park Conditions
Plan Your Tour	Learn About the Park
Park roads Accessibility Bear Management Areas Fishing Regulations Boating Regulations	Superintendent's Compendium Vital Signs Reports Resources for Commercial Guides Resources and Issues Handbook Foundation Document