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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.

2022 COVID-19 CUA Guidance:

• Public Health Information for Park Partners
• Park Alerts & Conditions

 

Authorized Services

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

Road-based Commercial Tours

• Tours
  Conditions [776k, accessible PDF]
• Taxi & Trail Shuttle
  Conditions [476k, accessible PDF]

Non-road-based Commercial Activities

• Guided Interpretive Day Hikes
  Conditions [566k, accessible PDF]
• Still Photography & Art Instruction
  Conditions [655k, accessible PDF]

 

How much does a CUA cost?

The annual fee is $300 per CUA for each national park area listed in the application. Payment must be processed through Pay.gov.

The National Park Service is authorized to recover, associated management and administrative costs associated with CUAs. The CUA fee covers the costs of processing and administering your application as well as 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.

Tour 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

Taxi & Trail Shuttle, Still Photography & Art Instruction, Guided Interpretive Day Hiking 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:

• $15 per person

 

How do I apply for a CUA?

Step 1

• Download and complete the CUA application [316k, accessible PDF]
• You can use one application to request CUA(s) for: 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 in each park you operate in.

• Applicants will submit payments via Pay.gov only. Do not send checks. To make a payment:
  • Enter "SEUG" in the Pay.gov search window.
  • Find Southeast Utah Group – National Parks Commercial Use Authorization Fees – click “continue."
  • Fill all applicable fields on the payment form.
  • 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.

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 30 working days to process a CUA application. Guided Backpacking CUAs may take up to 60 days to process. We review applications in the order they are received.

 

What are the reporting requirements?

CUA holders are required to submit an annual report each year. Renewal CUA applications cannot be processed until your annual report is received. It is strongly encouraged to file the report as early as possible. The report is due at the end of your operating season, with a deadline of January 31.

The report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts. Please complete an annual report for each park your business operated in.

Download Form 10-660 - CUA Annual Report [322k fillable, accessible PDF]

 

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. [40k Word doc]

For more questions, contact the Southeast Utah Parks CUA program manager at 435-719-2123.