Commercial Use Authorization

 

What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?

A 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 Zion National Park; 
  • Will have minimal impact on Zion National Park’s resources and values; and 
  • Are consistent with Zion National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations. 
A CUA may be 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 Zion National Park, 
  • use park resources, and 
  • result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit. 

The following are the only CUAs offered in Zion National Park:

  • Hiking/Walking – frontcountry: Commercially Guided Interpretive Hiking Tours Level II (Large Groups - 16-50 people)
  • Hiking/Walking – frontcountry: Commercially Guided Interpretive Hiking Tours Level III (Small Groups - 1-15 people)
  • Bicycle Tours: Commercially Guided Bicycle Tours
  • Photography Instruction: Commercially Guided Photography and Painting Instruction Workshops
  • Transport (non-tour): Commercial Shuttle Service
  • Motorcycle/Scooter Tour: Commercially Guided Motorcycle Tours
  • RV Delivery/Setup: Commercial Camper Trailer and RV Delivery


The CUA application window is now open to apply for 2025 Zion National Park CUAs. The application window to apply for a CUA will close on April 1, 2025. No applications will be accepted after April 1, 2025.

How do I apply for a CUA?
Zion National Park will be using the new Online CUA Application and Reporting System starting January 1, 2025. This system is designed to standardize, modernize, and streamline the CUA application and reporting process for National Park Service (NPS) staff and CUA applicants. The system allows potential CUA applicants and CUA holders to view available CUA opportunities, apply for CUAs, submit required CUA reports, and pay CUA fees.

CUA Application Fee:
The system will use a standardized CUA application fee that will be the same across all NPS units. For the first application submitted during a CUA season, the applicant will pay a $350 application fee. That same applicant will pay a $250 application fee for each subsequent application submitted to the same NPS unit during the same CUA season.

CUA Management Fee:
Also, for the 2025 CUA operating season, Zion National Park will implement the NPS market price management fee. The market price fee that will be implemented is a fee based on a percentage of your revenue earned from in-park or park-based operations. You are required to report this information each year when you submit the mandatory CUA annual report. The percentage of revenue market price fee is based on the following:

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 (minus application fee)
More than $500,000 earned from park-based operations - 5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)

The percentage of revenue market price fee is a tiered fee best explained by example. Suppose a CUA holder earns $750,000 in gross revenue as a result of doing business 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.

Online CUA Application and Reporting System

CUA Application Instructional Help Video and read the FAQs on "How to Apply for a CUA Permit":

CUA Application Required Supporting Documents Help File and Checklist:

 
 

CUA Permit Conditions Acknowledgement Form

Must be filled out before entering Zion National Park acknowledging the 2025 conditions of your company’s specific permit.

CUA Commercial Use Form:

Guides: Must be filled out before every trip entering Zion National Park for Guided Interpretive Hiking Level II, Level III, Guided Photography/Painting Instruction Workshops and Guided Bicycle Tours.

What are the CUA Reporting Requirements?

  • CUA holders must submit an annual report each year by January 31 for the operations that occurred during the preceding year. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts.
  • 2025 Annual Reports must be submitted through the Online CUA Application and Reporting System by January 31, 2026. Annual reports must be submitted for each CUA held (CUA holders that hold multiple CUAs must submit a separate annual report for each CUA). If a CUA was issued, but no business occurred, an annual report must still be submitted documenting zero trips and zero revenue.
  • CUA holders that held CUAs in 2024 must ensure the park has received a copy of your 2024 Annual Report. The 2024 Annual Report must be submitted to zion_commercialservices@nps.gov by January 31, 2025. Download: 2024 Annual Report Form.
  • Failure to submit the required reports or misrepresentation of statistics or earnings may result in the inability to submit subsequent CUA applications via the Online CUA Application and Reporting System or the suspension of active CUAs.

Angels Landing Permit Pilot Program

Important Dates: 1st release of 2025 Angels Landing Commercial Use Permits will be on Dec. 15, 2024, at 10:00am MST to reserve permits for hiking dates on Jan. 1 through Jun.30, 2025. For more information on the 2nd release of permits, read the FAQs below.

FAQs Help:

Recreation.gov Commercial Account Form:

Reserve Angels Landing Permits CUA Login:

Helpful Links for Commercial Use Holders in Zion National Park

Guide Resources

Please visit the following links to learn more about the park:

Zion Rules and Regulations

Learn more about the Zion's laws and policies

Authorized Commercial Use Authorization Holders in Zion National Park

Get Park Alerts - Links to Weather - Flash Flood Information - Air Quality

Get Park Alerts

Stay up to date with road closures and other park conditions by signing up for park alerts. This service is only available to commercial users and only one form can be submitted per company.

Weather and Flash Floods:

Zion National Park's Live Air Quality Data:

Last updated: December 4, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Zion National Park
1 Zion Park Blvd.
Springdale, UT 84767

Phone:

435-772-3256
If you have questions, please email zion_park_information@nps.gov. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

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