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Commercial Use Authorizations

What is a Commercial Use Authorization?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service. It authorizes you to conduct commercial activities and to provide specific visitor services within a national park. We will only issue CUAs for activities that:

• are an appropriate use of national park areas;
• will have minimal impact on park resources and values; and
• are consistent with the park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

You must have a CUA if you or your organization provide services that:

• take place at least in part in the national park area,
• use park resources, and
• result in monetary gain.

You may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the CUA. You must carry a complete copy of your Commercial Use Authorization with you at all times while operating in the park. Show the CUA at the entrance station fee booth.

Changes for 2018

• New Commercial Use Authorization conditions
• New 2018 application form
• Entrance fees may change on a national level.
• For questions or comments, call 435-719-2123 or email us.

 

Authorized Services

Arches National Park authorizes the following commercial services with an approved Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)

Road-based Commercial Tours

• Tours and Transportation
  Conditions [347k PDF]

Non-road-based Commercial Activities

• Guided Interpretive Day Hikes
  Conditions [363k PDF]
• Still Photography Instruction
  Conditions [329k PDF]

 

How much does a CUA cost?

The National Park Service is authorized to recover, at a minimum, associated management and administrative costs associated with CUAs.

The annual fee is $300 per each CUA for each national park area listed in the application. For example, if you apply for a Tours & Transportation CUA for Arches National Park and a Tours & Transportation CUA for Canyonlands National Park , you will need to submit proof of a $600 payment with your application. Payment is done through pay.gov only. The CUA fee includes a $100 non-refundable application processing fee, so please read the conditions (use links above) for the commercial service(s) you intend to offer before submitting your application package.

The CUA fee covers the costs of processing and administering your CUA. These include overseeing the operational, safety, and environmental requirements stipulated in the permit.

 

Do CUA holders have to pay an entrance fee?

Yes. Fees depend on the type of service you offer.

Tours & Transportation CUA holders:
Pay the commercial tour entrance fee each time you enter the park. Annual and lifetime passes do not apply.

Current entrance fees (per vehicle) based on vehicle size:

• Vehicle capacity of 1 to 6 passengers: $25 + $10 per person, not to exceed $40
• Vehicle capacity of 7 to 25: $40
• Vehicle capacity of 26+: $100

Guided Interpretive Day Hike CUA holders and Still Photography Instruction CUA holders:
Pay the park’s per-person entrance fee for your clients; participants may use valid entrance fee receipts or annual and lifetime passes.

Current entrance fees:

• $10 per person

 

How do I apply for a CUA?

Applications must be received by March 15, 2018.
Due to the high volume of applicants, we are still processing applications.

Step 1

• Download and complete the CUA application [659k Word document.]
• You can use one application to request CUA(s) for these parks: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument

Step 2

• Pay a non-refundable fee of $300 for each type of commercial service you are providing.

• Applicants will submit payments via pay.gov only. Do not send checks; they will be returned. To make a payment:
  • Enter "SEUG" in the pay.gov search window.
  • Payment will be made at: Canyonlands and Arches National Park Commercial Use Authorizations – click on “continue to the form."
  • Do not enter a permit number (not applicable).
  • Enter a total dollar amount of $300 for each commercial service in each park you are applying for.
  • Save your payment confirmation; you will submit this with your application.
  • For more information view payment instructions [731k PDF]

Step 3

Submit the following to the commercial services email address listed in the application document. If you have questions, please call 435-719-2123.

1. Your completed CUA application
2. Payment confirmation. Include the pay.gov confirmation of payment.
3. A current General Liability Certificate of Insurance documenting adequate General Liability coverage for the type of activity you will be conducting. The minimum coverage for commercial use is $1,000,000. The insurance certificate must name the United States of America as an additional insured as well as specify that the service authorized by the permit is covered by the insurance policy.
4. Current Automobile liability insurance that complies with the minimum coverage required by Utah state law. The insurance certificate must name the United States Government as additional insured. See CUA conditions listed above for minimums.
5. Copies of CPR/First cards for guides of non-road-based CUA activities.
   At least one guide in each day-use, non-road based CUA group must have a American Red Cross Standard First Aid Card or its equivalent and a current CPR card in his/her possession while in the park. Copies of those cards must be sent in with your application. Road-based tours do not need to have a guide with first aid or CPR card.

Incomplete packages cannot be processed.

 

How long does it take to get a CUA?

Please allow 20 working days to process a CUA application. We review applications in the order they are received.

 

What are the reporting requirements?

CUA holders must submit an annual report each year. This report is due at the end of season. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts.

Download Form 10-660 - CUA Annual Report [643k Word document]

 

Changes for the 2019 Season

Beginning October 1, 2019, entrance fees will change to $15 per person for all road-based commercial tour operators and all non-road-based CUA holders. The fee for all CUA applications will be $300 non-refundable.

The park is reevaluating the Tours and Transportation CUA. For the 2019 season, we may offer a Tours CUA and a Tours and Transportation CUA.

 

Sample Acknowledgement of Risk Form

CUA holders may not require clients to sign a waiver of liability statement or form, insurance disclaimer and/or indemnification agreement. They may request or require clients to sign an acknowledgement of risk statement or form prior to participation. You can download a sample. [23k PDF]