Commercial Use Authorizations

 

What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?

A commercial use authorization (CUA) is a permit to operate commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway (JODR). Public Law 105-391, Section 418, which was signed in 1998, provides for the issuance of Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) to a private person, corporation, or other entity to provide suitable commercial services for park area visitors. Commercial activities are generally prohibited in National Parks unless authorized by a CUA, concessions contract, or commercial fee entrance pass. GTNP issues CUAs to manage a range of commercial visitor services.

Who needs a CUA?

A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for park visitors that:

  • take place, at least in part, within the boundaries of GTNP and/or the JODR,
  • use park resources, and
  • result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you.

Looking for a list of all current CUA holders? Click here.

What is a commercial activity or service?

A commercial visitor service activity is defined as any or all goods, activities, services, agreements or anything offered to park visitors and/or the general public for recreational purposes, which uses the park resources, is undertaken for or results in compensation, monetary gain, benefit or profit to an individual, organization or corporation, whether or not such entity is organized for purposes recognized as non-profit under Local, State, or Federal law. Commercial activities or operations not authorized under a CUA, concession contract, lease, Special Use Permit, or through the use of the Commercial Entrance Fee, are generally prohibited in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The links below include information to get you started if you want to apply for a CUA as well as tools to help current CUA holders.

 
 

What are the Terms and Conditions of Commercially Operating in Grand Teton National Park?

 

COVID-19

All commercial operators are independently responsible for understanding and complying with the most current applicable laws, regulations, orders, ordinances and other requirements and for conducting their operations in a manner that is safe and protects the health of employees, customers and the public.

This guidance could change if COVID-19 conditions become less favorable. Operators are responsible for staying up-to-date on the latest guidance.

 

What Activities and Services are Authorized under a CUA?

Road based tour participants watch a mule deer A Guided Vehicle Tour (includes Step on Guide service) is a single vehicle tour, traveling on an itinerary which has been packaged, priced, or sold as an interpretive tour. Vehicle size for Guided Vehicle Tours may not exceed a manufactured capacity of 15 passengers. These activities take visitors through the park’s road system with a focus on interpreting the parks features and wildlife. Step on Guides provide the same services from a visitor’s personal vehicle or from the vehicle of another commercial operator. There is no maximum group size for step-on guide services. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.

A photographer looks at the Tetons over a lake. A Photography/Videography Workshop is and instructional opportunity for 1-10 visitors using and itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold as a guided photography/videography instructional session designed to improve a photographer’s skills and/or photography techniques. A Painting Workshop is an instructional opportunity for 1-10 visitors using an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold as a guided painting and related art instructional session. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.

Bicyclists tour Grand Teton
A Guided Bicycle Tour is a bike tour consisting of guides/tour leaders, participants, and may include one support vehicle for up to 10 total participants on approved routes and roads using human pedaled, non-motorized vehicles and two- or three-wheeled vehicles with fully operational pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.). Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.

A youth looks at the Tetons over the lake.

Guided Youth Day Hiking is an instructional and supervised non-overnight hiking activity provided to youths under the age of 21. Day hike groups are limited to no more than 10 participants and two guides per group. These services must provide information about the area and its resources, instill conservation ethics, and increase environmental awareness in participants. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.



Towing and Automotive Service assists, repairs or removes a disabled or damaged vehicle from Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) or the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway (JODR). Automotive Services includes tire repair or replacement, RV/Auto repair, RV appliance repair, battery jumps and locksmith services to aid park visitors with vehicle repair needs while in Grand Teton National Park. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.

An Auto-Shuttle Service is the point-to-point ground transportation of vehicles by at least two employees of an authorized operator to specifically authorized parking areas or turnouts. Transportation of people is not permitted. Activities supported by this category include private backcountry hiking, commercial/private fly fishing, and commercial/private float trip. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.

Dude Ranch Amenities accommodates visitors of all-inclusive dude ranches, owned by the operator, and directly adjacent to park lands of Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) or the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway (JODR). Activities must be conducted as part of a traditional dude ranch operation and meeting dude ranch industry standards. Please contact the Business Resources Office at e-mail us for an application. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.

Hunt Outfitter assists in providing support services such as guiding, outfitting, and retrieval and/or harvesting for the elk reduction program in Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) and hunting in John D Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway (JODR). Hunting activities occur within the JODR September through December. Specific dates, laws, and limits on hunted animals are specified in annual information released by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Hunting activities associated with the legislatively permitted elk reduction program within GRTE occur from October-December only for identified species; no regular hunting is permitted. Commercial operators may only provide services for visitors who have already obtained the appropriate state and park permits/licenses. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.

Transit Service is a system for the picking-up and dropping-off of visitors to specifically authorized points along a regular route with a pre-announced schedule. Services and stops are continuous and specifically authorized and allows visitors to utilize public transportation for convenience. Click here to view the terms and conditions of this activity.
 

What activities and services are not authorized under a CUA?

The park does not accept applications for activities not listed above such as lodging, campgrounds, food and beverage, retail, marina and boating services, scenic float trips, in-park equipment rentals, guided youth backpacking, climbing, fishing, guided kayak tours, climbing, backcountry skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc. These activities are deemed both appropriate and necessary, therefore they are only authorized under competitive concession contracts, which are generally put out for bid every 10 to 20 years.

Hunt-Outfitter Information


CUAs for Commercial Tour Buses

Implementation of the National Park Service (NPS) standardized Road-based Commercial Tour (RBCT) Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Park Service wide program and changes to commercial tour entrance fees has been delayed. For additional information and status updates, please visit the National CUA web page for the National Park Service.

Last updated: March 1, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 170
Moose, WY 83012

Phone:

307-739-3399
Talk to a Ranger? To speak to a Grand Teton National Park ranger call 307–739–3399 for visitor information Monday-Friday during business hours.

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