Commercial Use Authorizations: Certifications, Insurance, and Resources

 

Required Certifications

CUA applications must include specific documents, and once approved, CUA holders must keep their records up to date with the CUA office.

All guides need Basic First Aid, CPR certifications. Additional certifications are required for each permit type. Review the stipulations for details.

 

Guide List Templates

Please use these templates when submitting a list of guide certifications with your CUA application or updating certifications with the CUA office.

• Guide & Vehicle List Template
• Mountaineering Guide List Template

Insurance Requirements

Liability insurance is required of all CUA holders. The minimum commercial general liability insurance is $500,000 per occurrence.

Commercial Auto Liability insurance is required if a CUA holder transports passengers or uses owned/lease/rented vehicles in the performance of the service in the park. The minimum Commercial Auto Liability insurance is $1,500,000 per occurrence for 15 or fewer passengers and $5,000,000 for 16 or more passengers.
The minimum Aircraft Liability insurance is $150,000 per passenger seat.

A certificate of insurance (COI) must be provided on the CUA application and updated with the CUA office when insurance is renewed. The COI must list the United States of America as additionally insured. For Denali CUA applications, you may use the following address on the COI:
United States of America, Denali National Park and Preserve
Attn: Commercial Services
P.O. Box 9
Denali National Park, AK 99755

Mountaineering Documents

Guided mountaineering CUA's need to submit the Supplemental Application (also called the Operations Plan) with their CUA application. Prior to each trip they must submit a Guided Backcountry Registration form.

 

Important Dates

Item	Dates
Certificate of Insurance	Due with the CUA application and as it is updated/renewed
Guide Certifications	Due with the CUA application, updates are due by May 1st or prior to operating (whichever is earlier)
Activity Reports	Due January 31st for the prior calendar year
Annual Reports	2025 reports are due February 28th, 2026. Reports will open in February.
Applications	Applications are accepted November 1st- April 30th. Please allow 3-6 weeks for processing. You cannot operate until the application is approved.

 

Printable Stipulations

The stipulations for each service type and the stipulations applicable to all CUA's are accessible from the Denali CUA Home Page. You can also downloaded a PDF of each set of stipulations.

National and Interior Region 11 (Alaska) Stipulations Common to All CUAs
Denali National Park Stipulations Common to All CUAs
Hiking/ Walking - Frontcountry
Hiking/ Walking - Wonder Lake and Kantishna
Air Taxi and Incidental Hunt Transport
Group Camping at Savage River Campground
Day Hiking - Backcountry
Camping - Backcountry
Guided Winter Activities
Climbing/ Mountaineering

CUA holders are required to meet Common to All Stipulations for National, Interior Region 11, and Denali National Park as well as Activity Specific Stipulations. Please note, all Stipulations are provided and agreed upon during the application process. Please take the time to review the Stipulations and be certain guides understand operating expectations before guiding trips in Denali National Park.

 

Maps

Map of Authorized Areas for CUAs
Map of Authorized Frontcountry Guided Hiking Trails
Map of Authorized Trails- Guided Winter Activties
Map of Kantishna and Wonder Lake Guided Hiking Areas of Operation
Map of Visitor Use Areas for Activity Reporting

More Information

Denali CUA Insurance Information
Wildlife Safety Information
Leave No Trace Messaging
Leave No Trace 101 Course
Revocation Policy

 

Resources for Education and Interpretation

Tools for guides to learn about the park and educate and inspire visitors.

 

 

More Information About CUAs

• 

  CUA Fees

  CUA holders pay an application fee and a market price annual fee.

• 

  Apply for a CUA

  Information on how to access the CUA Online Application System and submit an application.

• 

  Commercial Use Authorizations in Denali

  Review the CUAs available in Denali and the stipulations for each service type.

 

Contact the CUA Office

We're here to help!
907-683-9553

Send us an email