What Is a CUA?A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:
A CUA may be required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:
Permitted ActivitiesAt Capitol Reef National Park, the following business activities will be considered for permits:
We look forward to working with you. What are the Reporting Requirements? CUA holders must submit an annual report via the online CUA system each year by January 31 for the operations that occurred during the preceding year. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts. Updates for the 2025 CUA SeasonAs part of a larger effort to streamline and modernize the National Park Service (NPS) commercial use authorization (CUA) program, the NPS has developed on online system designed to process CUA applications and collect required CUA reports. NPS hosted a public comment period from July 26, 2023, through September 20, 2023, to solicit comments about the online system. Thank you to all who provided comments.NPS began using the online CUA system in 52 parks for the 2024 CUA season. That initial launch was very successful and provided NPS with the information needed to identify and implement system changes leading to an even better user experience. NPS will initiate its online system in all parks for the 2025 CUA season. For the 2025 CUA season, the standard CUA application fee for all CUAs except road-based commercial tour CUAs will be $350 for the first application submitted by the applicant and $250 for subsequent applications from the same applicant to the same park. Capitol Reef does not require road-based commercial tours to have a CUA for 2025. Road-based commercial tours must pay the commercial entrance fee (based on seating capacity of vehicle). Capitol Reef National Park will begin accepting applications for the 2025 CUA season (calendar year 2025) in the fall of 2024. The deadline to apply for the 2025 CUA season is April 15, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after that date. Paper and email applications will not be accepted for the 2025 CUA season. See the table below for updated CUA service categories:
To Apply for a 2025 CUA
Links to required documents:
Additional Information:Watch a video on how to use the new CUA online system. Questions?Email us through care_commercialservices@nps.gov. Entrance FeesCUA Fees During VisitGuided CUA activities are charged the per person entrance fee of $10.00 per client, excluding the trip leader or guide. If a client has an America the Beautiful pass (annual, senior, access, etc.) it covers 4 people in the group. Road-based Commercial ToursSubject to the Commercial Tour Fee. Road-based tours may or may not need a CUA. Restriction on Idling:Commercial vehicles (buses, vans, school buses, etc.) are only allowed to idle while actively (passengers are physically getting on or off) loading and unloading passengers. All operators must turn off vehicle engines when parked or when not actively loading or unloading. This restriction does not apply to vehicles stopped on roadways in obedience to traffic control devices or orders, or as needed in response to legitimate traffic safety concerns.Determination:Commercial tour bus operators have a tendency to idle their engines while parked. The primary reason is that tour operators like to keep their buses cool with air conditioning while their clients are away from the bus. Idling occurs in the visitor center parking lot and in other parking areas where large numbers of visitors congregate. Idling engines produce noise pollution and exhaust that impacts clean air. This limitation will minimize the impacts to natural resources and visitors. (Superintendent’s Compendium). |
Last updated: December 5, 2024