Commercial Use Authorizations

For CUA Operators...

What are Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area.

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 take place at least in part in Denali National Park and Preserve, use park resources, and result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit. 

Activities that Do Not Require a Permit

Commercial operators may bring clients to the park’s frontcountry areas (up to mile 1.5 of the Park Road), including the Visitor Center, Bus Depot, Riley Creek day-use area, and the Mercantile without a CUA. Clients are welcome to explore these areas independently; however, guiding is not allowed. If operators accompany clients on frontcountry trails a CUA is required. Operators may accompany clients beyond the Visitor Center area (mile 1.5) on buses but must conduct themselves as a visitor. 
 

What Activities and Services are Permitted Through a CUA?

Denali National Park and Preserve currently issues CUAs for the following activities and services. Please select a service type to learn more and review the rules and stipulations.

 
Hiking/ Walking Frontcountry
Two hikers and one guide near a creek with a mountain in the background, stopped to look at a pictur
Guided day hiking on specified trails in the entrance area or in the Kantishna and Wonder Lake area.
Winter Activities- Guided
Two people walk down a snowy road with snowy trees in the snow
Guided hiking, snowshoeing, and park road access September 24- May 10.
Hiking- Backcountry
Three people pausing on a hike on a hillside
Guided day hiking in specified areas of the backcountry.
Camping- Backcountry
Two tents and gear on a hillside
Camping and backpacking in specified areas of the backcountry.
Climbing/ Mountaineering
Glaciers check their ropes and skin their way up-glacier
Guided mountaineering, ski mountaineering, and climbing in New Park additions and Preserve.
Camping Frontcountry
The entrance to Savage River Campground.
Group camping at the Savage River Campground.
Air Taxi
A small, red and white, two seater, propeller plane parked on a gravel strip.
Air transport (non-tour), includes incidental hunt transportation.
2026 Dog Sledding
A dog team pulls a sled across snow
Guided dog sled passenger expeditions and guided sled supported ski trips.
Rules Applicable to All CUA Holders
Denali National Park entrance sign in the snow
Review the stipulations applicable to all CUA holders.
 

 

Information for CUA Holders

CUA holders must be knowledgeable of and adhere to all stipulations, maintain up to date records with the Denali CUA office, pay application and annual fees, and complete activity reports and annual financial reports.
 
Certifications, Insurance, and Resources
crowd of people around a park ranger, next to a table full of clipboards
Information on insurance, certifications, maps, stipulations, and required documents.
CUA Reports
Three hikers on a grassy slope with clouds behind them
CUA holders must submit two reports; Activity Reports and Annual Financial reports.
CUA Fees
A park ranger greeting winter visitors at the Murie Science & Learning Center
CUA holders pay an application fee and a market price annual fee.
 

Activities that Do Not Require a Permit

Commercial operators may bring clients to the park’s frontcountry areas (up to mile 1.5 of the Park Road), including the Visitor Center, Bus Depot, Riley Creek day-use area, and the Mercantile without a CUA. Clients are welcome to explore these areas independently; however, guiding is not allowed. If operators accompany clients on frontcountry trails a CUA is required. Operators may accompany clients beyond the Visitor Center area (mile 1.5) on buses but must conduct themselves as a visitor.

Unauthorized Activities and Revocation Policy

Unauthorized activities in Denali National Park include providing commercial services or guiding without a valid Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) or conducting operations outside of the permit stipulations. Violations can result in penalties, fines, or permit revocation.

Activities that Require a Different Kind of Permit

Activities such as photography, weddings, and backpacking require permits. Riding a bus, campgrounds, and certain ranger programs require reservations.
 

Contact the CUA Office

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907-683-9553

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755

Phone:

907 683-9532
A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.

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