Doing Business With The Park

Commercial Shuttle and Water Taxi Services

Katmai National Park and Preserve intends to issue a competitive Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) application process for shuttle and water taxi services between Lake Camp and Brooks Camp. The Park will issue up to one (1) shuttle and water taxi CUA, valid from May 15, 2026, through December 31, 2027. The National Park Service is conducting this competitive application process in accordance with 54 U.S.C. § 101925 (PL 105-391 Sec 418(2 (A)), and RM 48B.

Applicants must review all sections of the application package to determine the full scope of a future operator’s responsibilities under the permit. The shuttle and water taxi service between Lake Camp and Brooks Camp CUA will be awarded through a competitive process. Interested parties must submit a completed application package before the deadline to be considered. Applications will be accepted between March 19, 2026 and April 19, 2026; applications received after 5:00 P.M. AKST on April 19th will not be accepted.

The following documents are used for applications, including how to submit a proposal:
Limited CUA for Shuttle and Water Taxi Services Business Opportunity
Instructions for Submitting a Proposal
Proposal Package

 

Commercial visitor services, filming and still photography are authorized in Katmai National Park and Preserve when it is consistent with the protection and public enjoyment of park resources. NPS policy requires that primary consideration be given to safety, potential resource damage, and anticipated disruption of normal visitor use. Applicable regulations can be found on Katmai’s laws and policies page.

What is a Commercial Use Authorization?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or entity to provide commercial visitor services within a national park area. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of Katmai;
• will have minimal impact on Katmai’s resources and values; and
• are consistent with Katmai’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

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

• take place at least in part in areas managed by Katmai,
• use park resources, and
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you.

Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the stipulations of the CUA. Learn more about CUAs on the Alaska Regional CUA information page.

CUA Applications, Authorization Costs, and Reporting

To apply for a CUA, please see the Commercial Use Authorization page for the Alaska Region.

For costs and reporting, please visit the Alaska Region's Do Business With Us page.

 

Helpful links for commercial users:

• Commercial Use Authorization Stipulations
  Read up on requirements for businesses that wish to provide commercial services in national parks in Alaska. Some stipulations are common to all parks across Alaska, and other stipulations are specific to certain parks.

Helpful links for visitors:

• Directory of Commercial Visitor Service Providers
  Find out which commercial operators provide visitor services under a CUA at Katmai National Park and Preserve.

To assure protection of the parks’ cultural, historic, and natural resources, film and still photography on NPS lands may need to be approved through a permitting process. Please visit the filming and photography page for more information.