NOTE: 2020 Changes to CUA Requirements and Fees for Road-based Commercial Tour Operators have been post-poned. 2020 Activity-based Tour application fees will remain at $250 until further notice. $20 per person Activity-based Tour fees are currently in effect.
What is a CUA?
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. CUAs are granted for services that:
- (a) will have minimal impact on the park area's resources and values;
- (b) are consistent with the purposes for which the park area was established; and
- (c) are consistent with all applicable park management plans, policies and regulations.
Additionally, CUAs must abide by the following four criteria:
- (1) there are no fixed commercial facilities within the national park area;
- (2) the commercial activity originates and terminates outside the park;
- (3) no money changes hands on park lands; and
- (4) no commercial solicitation occurs on park lands.
Certain liability insurance and first aid requirements must be met before a permit can be issued. (See Attachments A and B of application for explanations of required documentation).
Authorized Services at Bryce Canyon National Park
- Bicycle Tours: This commercial service allows groups of bicyclists accompanied by a leader to ride through designated portions of Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Commercial Interpretive Tours: This commercial service is defined as natural or cultural resource information provided by a designated leader to a specified group of people.
- Motorcycle Tours: This commercial service allows groups of motorcycles accompanied by a leader to ride through designated portions of Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Photography or Painting Workshops: These workshops are allowed to give technical and artistic instructions on composition of photographs and paintings related to the unique resources protected in Bryce Canyon National Park.
- Taxi & Recreational Shuttle Services: Commercial shuttle service is authorized for the point-to-point and drop-off of passengers in Bryce Canyon National Park at designated parking areas, pullouts, and developed areas.
- New: Effective January 1st, 2020 all Road-based Commercial Tours (i.e. tour busses) will be required to obtain a CUA.
How much does a CUA cost?
Effective October 1st, 2019 the annual fee for each national park area listed in the application will increase from $250 to $300.
Currently, CUA applicants pay an annual $250 non-refundable CUA application fee for each submitted CUA application. CUAs cannot be purchased at the park; applications must be submitted in advance by e-mail to brca_cua@nps.gov (preferred) or mail to the Point of Contact below. The park recommends 14 days for processing time.
100% of collected CUA application fees stay within the collecting park and are used to recover CUA administrative costs.
Do CUA holders have to pay an entrance fee?
Yes. Fees depend on the type of service you offer.
Road-based Commercial Tour CUA holders (effective January 1st 2020):
Pay a $20 per-person entrance fee upon entrance to the park; America the Beautiful Interagency Passes (Annual Passes) will not be honored. No charge for drivers/guides and anyone under 16 at time of entrance. CUA holders will report all visitors under 16 as a part of their annual report and will be charged a $5 per-person fee for all visitors under 16 at that time.
Activity-based Tours:
Pay a $15 per-person entrance fee upon entrance to the park (increases to $20 per-person on October 1st, 2019); clients may use valid entrance fee receipts or annual and lifetime passes.
How To Apply
Download and complete the 2020 CUA Application and Instructions
This is a fillable Word file that can be filled in, printed, scanned, and submitted via e-mail to brca_cua@nps.gov (the preferred method) or by regular mail or fax to the Point of Contact below.
Required documents to be submitted include the Application and all required documentation (as explained in Attachments A and B of the application).
The CUA Annual Report is a required year-end report that must be submitted by the end of February for the previous year's commercial business activity.
How long does it take to get a CUA?
Please allow 14 days to process a CUA application.
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 [631k Word document]
Sample Acknowledgement of Risk Form
The CUA-holder is permitted to request or require a client to sign a form or statement acknowledging risk and/or indicating that certain prerequisite skills may be needed to participate in the commercial activity. You can download a sample.
Changes for the 2020 Season
Currently, Road-based Commercial Tours (i.e. tour busses) that do not operate with a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) are charged a flat entrance fee, regardless of passenger count. Fees and procedures vary from park to park. A new, standardized process will require these Road-based Commercial Tours to obtain a CUA, and pay a $20 per client fee upon entrance to the park. This change will begin to take effect for current CUA holders on October 1st, 2019 and will require all Road-based Commercial Tours at Bryce Canyon to obtain a CUA by January 1st, 2020.
The Change – Road-based Commercial Tours (RBT)
The National Park Service (NPS) is standardizing Road-based Commercial Tour CUA requirements and fees agency-wide. The new standard process will begin at Bryce Canyon for Road-based Commercial Tour operations on January 1st, 2020 (while other parks may begin implementation October 1st, 2019).
At Bryce Canyon, Road-based Commercial Tour operators will be required to:
- Obtain a CUA to operate in Bryce Canyon National Park
- Pay a $20 per client fee upon entrance to the park; America the Beautiful Interagency Passes (Annual Passes) will not be honored. No charge for drivers/guides and anyone under 16*
- Submit mandatory annual CUA reports after each CUA operating season
*RBT CUA holders will report visitors under 16 in their annual report and be charged $5 per visitor under 16 at that time
The Change – Activity-Based Tours (i.e. Current CUA Holders)
Beginning October 1st, 2019 the following changes will go into effect:
- New CUA application fees will increase from $250 to $300. This fee is good for the calendar year.
- Entrance fees for CUA tours will increase from $15 per client to $20 per client (no charge for paid drivers/guides, and anyone under 16), payable upon entrance to the park
- America the Beautiful Interagency Passes (Annual Passes) will continue to be honored for Activity-based Tours (e.g. guided hikes, workshops, cycling, motorcycling; waives entrance fees for the pass-holder and up to 3 additional adults in same vehicle), but not for Road-based Tours.
Point of Contact
Kim Barton, Fee Supervisor
Email: e-mail us
Office: (435) 834-4771
Fax: (435) 834-4707
Mailing Address: Bryce Canyon National Park, P.O. Box 640201, Bryce, UT 84764-0201