Commercial Tours

The visitor center was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in the 1930's.

NPS image

Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permits are required to conduct business at Bandelier National Monument
Commercial entities conducting business inside Bandelier without a valid CUA permit will be served with a “Notice of Non-Permitted Entry” and may be subject to fines and/or refused entry to the park.

CUA permits issued at Bandelier most often are for:

1. Road Based Commercial Tours (RBCT) - issued to commercial entities offering transportation only; Currently no application fee

(Example: Company XYZ sells a tour package that includes a 2 hour stop at Bandelier. The group arrives at the park, clients are dropped off at the Visitor Center and informed they have 2 hours until they need to be back on the bus. Clients are on their own to explore, no XYZ staff (or subcontracted tour guides) provide guided hikes/walks)

2. Guided Services - issued to commercial entities that provided guided hikes/walks in the frontcountry or backcountry. These include guided services that a company hires a subcontractor to provide.

(Example: Company LMN sells a tour package that includes a 2 hour stop at Bandelier. The group arrives and an LMN staff member (or subcontracted guide) accompanies the clients and provides a guided tour of the Main Loop Trail.)
CUA permit holders are subject to park entrance fees which are charged based upon permit type:
Road-based Commercial Tours
Based on vehicle’s capacity. America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes may not be used

Sedan (1-5 passengers) - $25 + $15/client
Van (1-15 passengers) - $50
Mini-bus (16-25 passengers) - $60
Motorcoach (26+ passengers) - $150

Guided Services
Based on number of clients. America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes may be used

$15 per client 16 years and older

 

blooming cholla cactus

photo by Sally King

Applications for 2021 CUA permits are being accepted via email until August 1, 2021.
CUA permits must be obtained prior to commercial groups conducting business at Bandelier. There is a 4-6 week processing period for CUA permit applications. Once completed application packages are received, Bandelier will begin processing the CUA permit.
CUA permit application packages are only accepted electronically via email.
When all application materials have been completed, submit all items via email (in a single file if possible) to:

Dave Graveline
CUA Permit Coordinator
[e-mail]

For more information about Commercial Use Authorization permits in the National Park Service please visit:
https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/commercial-use-authorizations.htm

Bandelier CUA Permit Application Materials Checklist

Document 1 – 2020 Annual Report : If you held a CUA permit with Bandelier in 2020, the annual permit must be completed and submitted to Bandelier by February 1, 2021. Annual reporting is required even if the CUA was not used and outlined in the CUA permit conditions. Failure to submit an annual report will result in no permit being issued for 2021.

Document 2 – CUA Permit Application & Instructions : This is the application requesting a CUA permit with Bandelier. Carefully read all instructions as incomplete applications will not be processed. Pay special attention to:

• #1 – Circle the type of permit being requested (if wanting to conduct business other than guided tours or RBCT, contact park)
• #6, #7, #8, and #10 – ensure all are completely filled out; check appropriate boxes
• #9 – Entities requesting CUA permits are required by law to submit current, valid proof of insurance for general liability and auto (if transporting clients by vehicles that are owned or operated by the entity requesting the CUA permit)
  • Insured amounts must meet required amounts
  • The United States of America must be listed as an additional insured party
  • Best’s Financial Size Category and AM Rating must be included. See Appendix B.
• #15 – sign and date

Document 3 – CUA Permit : This is the actual CUA Permit. Complete item #2 and sign item #8 as the authorization holder. Once the application has been processed, the permit will be approved and returned to the requestor with an NPS official’s signature authorizing the permit.

No application fee required. In light of ongoing hardships cause by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bandelier is waiving the $100 application fee for 2021 Guided Services CUA permits in support of our commercial tour operator partners.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact:

Dave Graveline
CUA Coordinator
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Road
Los Alamos, NM 87544
505.672.3861, x. 1519
[e-mail]

 

Long House is a series of archeological sites located on the Main (Pueblo) Loop Trail.

Photo by Sally King