Doing Business With The Park

Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Annual Reports

• 2025 Annual Reports will become available through the online portal on January 1, 2026. CUA applications for the 2026 season will be posted on cua.nps.gov starting on February 1, 2026

 

 

Concession or Commercial Use Authorization?

Most businesses, including non-profit organizations, operating in the park are covered under two types of legal instruments – a commercial use authorization or a concessions contract.

• Commercial Use Authorizations are short-term agreements that allow most businesses, including non-profits, incidental use of the park.
  • Find out how to get a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) on this page.
• Concession contracts are longer-term contracts offering visitor services that, with a few exceptions, take place solely within the park.
  • Learn more about Concessions on a separate page.

 

About Commercial Use Authorizations

What is a CUA?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) allows an individual, group, company, or other non-profit entity to conduct business activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park unit. The National Park Service (NPS) issues CUAs to manage a wide-range of visitor services in addition to road-based commercial tours. For Acadia National Park, this includes transportation providers, tour operators, guided hiking, bike tours, kayak trips, summer camps, art and photography workshops, and much more.

Federal law mandates the NPS issue CUAs only for business activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of the park,
• will have minimal impact on park resources and values, and
• are consistent with the park's purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

Why does NPS require CUAs?

The requirement is in 36 CFR 5.3 - It is illegal to conduct business in a park area without a permit, contract, or other written agreement. Additionally, Public Law 105-391 Section 418, passed in 1998, provides NPS the authority to issue CUAs to allow business operations and requires NPS to collect a reasonable fee for CUA administration and management.

Application fees are to recover costs associated with managing and monitoring the CUA Program for Acadia National Park. Public Law 105-391 Section 418, passed in 1998, provides NPS the authority to issue CUAs to allow business operations and requires NPS to collect a reasonable fee for CUA administration and management. One hundred percent of the CUA application fee collected stays within the park.

Do I need a CUA?

A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part on lands managed by the National Park Service,
• use park resources, and
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

In Acadia National Park, this commonly covers:

• Tour operators
• Guide services including biking, hiking, climbing, nature tours
• Water-based activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, boating
• Photography or painting workshops; photography or painting tours.
• Motorcoach operators
• Any other service a business entity which wishes to perform the service in the park (this requires prior park approval).

Taxis and rideshare services should consult the Information for Taxi and Rideshare Services page.

 

How do I apply for a CUA?

• Applications can be submitted using the NPS online portal located at https://cua.nps.gov

 

Apply for a CUA

When to apply?

• Businesses must apply for a new CUA each year.
• Businesses must submit applications twenty-one (21) days in advance.
• Applications are accepted for the 2026 season beginning on February 1, 2026.
• CUAs are issued for one calendar year and expire on December 31st of each year.

What to submit through the CUA Portal (cua.nps.gov)

• CUA Application
• Proof of Insurance
• A Certificate of General Commercial Liability Insurance.
• A Certificate of Commercial Automobile Liability coverage when applicable.
• Your insurance must name United States of America, Acadia National Park, 20 McFarland Hill Drive, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 as an additional insurer.
• Acknowledgement of Risk (if applicable) CUA Acknowledgement of RIsk.

 

Operating under a CUA

Entrance fees are required

Road Based Commercial Tour Fees
Rate	Type of Pass
$150	26+ Capacity
$60	16-25 Capacity
Guided Motorized Tour Fees
Rate	Type of Pass
$50	7-15 Capacity
$25+	1-6 Capacity $25 plus $20 per passenger (16 and older) not to exceed $50
Commercial Activity-Based Tour Fees
Rate	Type of Pass	Details
$20	Per Person (16 and older) Visitor passes apply	No maximum limit on fee America the Beautiful passes may cover fee for pass holder plus three additional adults
ALL TOURS Valid for 1 manifest of passengers, up to 7 days CUA required In addition to the rates listed above, each non-US resident aged 16 and over will be charged a $100 non-resident fee. This is a per-person fee. America the Beautiful passes, such as Non-Resident Annual Pass, covers the non-resident fee for the pass holder and three additional non-residents aged 16 and older when they are part of a commercial group.

Carry CUA with you at all times

• Businesses and any of their representatives must have in their possession a complete copy of the CUA at all times when conducting business in the park; random monitoring of CUA holders is conducted.

Follow Special Park Conditions at all times

• Special park conditions will be sent to you with your CUA. You must follow these special park conditions at all times.

What are the CUA Reporting Requirements?

• CUA holders must submit an annual report via the online CUA system each year 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.
• 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 system or the suspension of active CUAs.

Management Fees

• Beginning in 2025, all CUAs, with the exception of Road Based Commercial Tours, will be subject to a management fee.
• The management fee is due at the end of the operating year and is based on a percentage of the operating year’s gross receipts. This fee must be paid to the park after the park has reviewed and approved the annual report after the operating year has ended.
• Management fee is based on percentage of gross receipts ($350.00/$250 application fee for the operating year acts as a credit towards the following):
  • Less than $250,000: 3% of gross receipts
  • Between $250,000 and $500,000: 4% of gross receipts in addition to the prior amount
  • Over $500,000: 5% of gross receipts in addition to the two prior amounts

 

Vehicle Reservations for CUA Holders

Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) holders will be required to have a CUA vehicle reservation to access Cadillac Summit Road from mid-May through mid-October. Visit our Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations for Commercial Use Authorization Holders page for details.

Questions?

If you need additional help or have any questions, please contact our Concessions Management Specialist or call [phone].

 

COVID 19 Safety and Health Guidance

Commercial partners seeking guidance on COVID 19 health and safety should visit the National Park Service Public Health Information for the Park Partner Community guidance.