Commercial Use Authorizations

COVID Updates

There is currently no restrictions on commercial tours or guided tours in Bryce Canyon National Park. Commercial operators are expected to follow all federal and CDC guidelines. For information on federal public health guidelines please check out the guidance related to federal mask mandate, multi-day RBT tours, transportation systems and additional information is available on the Public Health Info NPS Partners webpage.

 

Currently Accepting 2021 Applications

We are currently accepting CUA applications for 2021 operating season (through Dec 31, 2021).

For 2022 - Check back Oct. 1, 2021 for updated application and process.

 

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Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) are limited authorizations to provide specific visitor services within the boundaries of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park accepts CUA applications for the following commercial activities:

• 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 transportation and drop-off of passengers in Bryce Canyon National Park at designated parking areas, pullouts, and developed areas.

If you are interested in providing a commercial service that is not currently authorized, please contact our commercial services office.

 

How to apply for 2021

Complete applications must be submitted a minimum 30 days in advance of first trip for processing. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, incomplete applications are moved to the bottom of the list and may take longer than 30 days till fully executed.

The application period opens on October 15th each year.

Step 1:

Download and complete the 2021 CUA Application (662kb, Word file), a single application form may be submitted for multiple activities. Please refer to Step 3 for application checklist.
Download, read, initial and sign Park Specific Conditions (294kb, pdf)
Download, read, initial and sign Park Specific Provisions (161kb, pdf)

Step 2:

Pay a non-refundable fee of $250 for each type of commercial service you plan to provide. Application packages will not be reviewed without payment received.

The fee must be paid via check mailed to (mail tracking recommended):
For USPS:
Bryce Canyon National Park
Attn: CUA Coordinator
P.O. Box 640201
Bryce, UT 84764-0201

For UPS/FedEx:
NPS Bryce Canyon National Park
Attn: CUA Coordinator
3000 S. Highway 63, Bldg. #1
Bryce Canyon, UT 84764

We hope to accept pay.gov payments in the future but are not able to at this time.

Step 3:

The following must be submitted electronically to our commercial services office via email to [e-mail]. Non-electronic submissions must be approved in advance and will be handled on a case by case basis. If you have questions, please call 435-834-4730. Download an application checklist (662kb, word) for use offline.

• Your completed CUA application.
• Scanned copies of signed Park Conditions and Provisions.
• 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, Bryce Canyon National Park" as an additional insured.
• Current Automobile Liability Insurance that complies with the minimum coverage required by Utah state law. The insurance certificate must name the "United States of America, Bryce Canyon National Park" as additional insured. See CUA application for minimums.
• A list of all company vehicles. Including vehicle year, make/model, license number, state issued, passenger capacity, and whether owned, leased or rented.
• List designating guides and drivers with additional required information. Please use attached guide template (12kb, excel) to provide that information.
• Copy of company 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. Download a sample Acknowledgement of Risk.
• Detailed itinerary including dates in the park and locations (viewpoint and/or trails) in the park that will be visited. (Excel preferred)
• Copy of safety information delivered to guests on trip with information specific to Bryce Canyon National Park, including but not limited to Leave No Trace, altitude, lightning, and importance of hydration.
• Copy of 2020 CUA Annual Report (Form 10-660) (634kb, word), if applicable.
• Copy of your COVID-19 Mitigation Plan (189kb, pdf) describing in detail what changes you are implementing to protect your employees, clients and other visitors from COVID-19. What sanitation practices you are implementing. What procedures are in place if someone gets sick on a trip or after having been on a trip and who are the contacts. And any other additional information.

Step 4:

Add [e-mail] to your contacts list so emails won't go to Junk or bounced back.

Check your email about two weeks after submission for correspondence from our Commercial Services office. We will reach out with questions or when we are ready to get your signature on the CUA before getting the superintendent's signature.

 

How much does a CUA cost?

CUA applicants pay an annual $250 non-refundable CUA fee for each requested activity. CUAs cannot be purchased at the park; applications must be submitted in advance by e-mail to [e-mail]. The park requires 30 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. There is a $20 per-person entrance fee upon entrance to the park; clients may use valid entrance fee receipts or annual and lifetime passes.

 

What are the reporting requirements?

CUA holders must submit an annual report each year. This report is due January 31 each year. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts.
Download Form 10-660 - 2020 CUA Annual Report [631k Word document]

The 2020 Annual Report is due prior to receiving a 2021 CUA, and no later than January 31st, 2021. If a 2020 Annual Report is not submitted by January 31st, a 2021 CUA may not be issued.

 

Road-based Commercial Tour Information

The definition of a "Road-based Commercial Tour" is one or more persons traveling by vehicle on an improved roadway:

• On an itinerary that someone has packaged and sold for leisure/recreational purposes, and which,
• Provides no other services except those incidental to road-based travel in an area unit of the National Park System (on-board interpretation and incidental stops at visitor centers, restaurants, wayside exhibits, etc.).

If guides or staff get off the vehicle with clients and provide information or lead walks - a Commercial Interpretative Tour CUA is required.

Note: Transportation-only services such as taxis and shuttles do not meet the definition of Road-based Commercial Tours because those services are not prepackaged.

The implementation of standardized Road-based Commercial Tour CUAs is DELAYED until further notice. Road-based Commercial Tour companies may continue to enter the park by paying the commercial tour fee at the entrance station. If you are a Road-based Commercial Tour operator and would like to receive communication from the park regarding operational changes, please submit a Road Based Tours Contact Form or email us with your business name, contact name, address, phone number, and email address.

 

Point of Contact

Bryce Canyon Commercial Services Office
CUA Coordinator
Email: e-mail us
Office: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Mailing Address: Bryce Canyon National Park, Attn: CUA Coordinator, P.O. Box 640201, Bryce, UT 84764-0201