This CUA authorizes guided touring using dories, single or tandem kayaks, canoes, and other small non-motorized vessels in Yellowstone, Lewis, and Shoshone Lakes.
General Provisions
Watercraft Season:
Watercraft will be allowed to enter park waters during Yellowstone’s boating season, generally from 7:00 a.m. on the Saturday immediately prior to Memorial Day until 5:30 p.m. on October 31. For the most up-to-date information on boating season open and close dates, please visit Boat on a Lake.
There is a maximum limit of 15 watercraft per group, excluding the required guide(s). A ratio of one guide to 6 participants must be maintained. Groups may not exceed 25 participants. CUA holders are limited to three groups per day and launch times for each group must be scheduled 30 minutes apart.
Operators will ensure clients are within 150 yards of guide’s vessel during tours
Non-motorized boating CUA holders who run two or more trips per week may store watercraft on trailers in the parking lot as referenced in attached map during the boating season. Equipment may not be left on the ground overnight. Vehicles may not be stored overnight, and watercraft must be stored in an orderly manner. The CUA holder must notify the CUA administrators prior to storing equipment there for the season, including the number of watercraft and duration. The Commercial Services Division may request CUA holders remove some or all stored watercraft at any time. Commercial services may request watercraft be moved to ensure fair distribution of available space among non-motorized CUA holders. All watercraft and/or trailers stored in this space must have signage/graphics of CUA company name.
Required Equipment
All clients and guides must wear Coast Guard approved Type I or Type III personal flotation devices (PFDs) that are properly sized and in serviceable condition.
The CUA holder is responsible for ensuring that all clients and guides are safely equipped and properly clothed for the activity and current/projected weather conditions prior to the trip. Each group must have:
A bailing device is required in each watercraft except kayaks
A bilge pump is required for each kayak
A throwable rescue device is required in each guide watercraft (a throw-bag with a rescue rope is recommended over a Type IV PFD)
One spare paddle or oar is required for each guide’s watercraft
An accessible whistle is required in each watercraft
A United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved visual distress signal is required in one guide’s watercraft
A map of Yellowstone, Lewis Lake, Shoshone Lake, and Lewis channel when operating there
First aid kit suitable for backcountry emergencies and containing adequate supplies for all participants
At least one woolen blanket or sleeping bag sealed in a watertight container is required per group
A working flashlight is required for each watercraft if traveling during periods of reduced visibility
One spare paddle or oar is recommended for each client’s watercraft
Marine band radio or cellular phone is recommended
Guide will carry one can of bear spray and be trained in its use if the group is exiting the water for an extended period
One self-rescue device (e.g., paddle float, etc.) must be carried in a guide’s vessel in each group. Guide must be trained or experienced in its use.
Permitting
All watercrafts must have a Yellowstone boat permit and a Yellowstone Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection before launching in the park. Watercraft stored in the park overnight in the area authorized under Item 4 do not need to be reinspected for AIS. Watercraft that leave the park for any period of time must be reinspected prior to relaunching in park waters. During boating season, Permits and inspections are available seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at locations throughout the park. Current list of AIS inspection locations can be found at Boat on a Lake.
Any watercraft and associated equipment must be thoroughly inspected prior to entering any waters within the park. Prior to launching, all watercraft (and associated equipment) must be re-inspected every time they re-enter the park.
CUA operators must arrive at AIS inspections stations with all equipment requiring inspection clean, maintained, and prepared for inspection. Equipment that requires any type of cleaning will be turned away. If a watercraft does not pass the Yellowstone AIS inspection, it is not allowed to enter park waters.
To prevent the introduction of AIS, the CUA holder must ensure all equipment is cleaned and dried before entering or changing Yellowstone waters.
All park waters should be assumed to contain undetected AIS.
The following watercraft and equipment are banned from entering the waters of Yellowstone National Park:
Watercraft with evidence of dead or live quagga or zebra mussels.
Watercraft previously fouled with mussels, regardless of cleaning or dry time.
Watercraft equipped with sealed internal ballast tanks.
This permit allows guided fishing from the watercraft. All clients and guides 16 years and older who are fishing must have a Yellowstone National Park (YNP) fishing permit. All clients and guides fishing must obey park fishing regulations located at Catch a Fish.
Fish that are kept must be cleaned at a cleaning station if possible. Otherwise, all entrails should have the air bladders punctured and then be thrown into the deepest water possible where they were caught. It is prohibited to bury, burn, or leave fish entrails on shore.
If providing fishing services, guides must carry a copy of digital or paper NPS Fishing Regulations for the current year.
Staffing and Employment
One guide on each trip must be certified Wilderness First aid, Wilderness First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician, or higher-level certification. All guides must have:
Deep water rescue training (all guides)
Current CPR and First Aid certification.
ACA Level II Instructor Certification or equivalent is recommended for all non-motorized boating guides.
Operational Requirements
All guides and trip participants must adhere to all Yellowstone Boating regulations. Regulations may be found at Boat on a Lake.
All guides must have adequate training. One guide on each trip must have experience in non-motorized boating and previous experience on the lake they are guiding.
Watercraft must not drift within 25 feet (~7.5 meters) of shoreline thermal features and submerged thermal features and are not allowed to land within thermal areas or within 32 feet (~10 meters) of thermal features. CUA holders and guides are responsible for knowing the location of submerged thermal features or vacating an area where a submerged thermal feature is discovered.
All accidental swimmers must be reported to CUA office within 48 hours, detailing what happened and company’s response.
While on Yellowstone Lake, Lewis Lake, or Shoshone Lake, the CUA holder or guide shall remain with their clients for the duration of the trip.
Overnight backcountry use is not authorized under this CUA and requires a separate overnight backcountry CUA.
During boating season, non-motorized boating CUA holders who run two or more trips per week may store watercraft in the parking lot as referenced in this map and in #4 of this operating plan.
2024 permit holders, please visit Annual Reports and Management Fees to complete and submit reports and pay fees (due by January 31, 2025).
For proposed commercial operations taking place prior to December 31, 2024, please contact the Commercial Services Office at yell_cua_admins@nps.gov for application materials.
