Beginning October 1, 2008, the Natchez Trace Parkway will implement a new cost recovery program for the issuance of Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA).

The total cost for a CUA will be $100.00 and it will be valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. That cost will be comprised of:

Application fee (non-refundable)        $50

Commercial Use Authorization permit  $50

Section 418 of the National Park Omnibus Management Act of 1998, Public Law 105-391 (Section 418), authorizes National Parks to issue commercial use authorizations to persons (individuals, corporations, entities) to provide commercial services to park visitors in limited circumstances. CUAs, although used to authorize commercial services to park area visitors, are not concession contracts. They are intended to provide a simple means to authorize suitable commercial services to visitors in park areas in limited circumstances. CUAs require written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service in order to protect park resources and the public interest.

Commercial tours that meet the requirements of these guidelines will be authorized through CUAs (A commercial tour consists of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure/recreational purposes and no other services, except for incidental services such as on-board interpretation and box lunches, are provided). These tours must originate and terminate outside of the park.

Proof of liability insurance, naming the U.S. Government as co-insured, may be required.

For more information, please contact the park permit program coordinators at (662) 680-4014.