Commercial Use Authorization

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:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of Lake Mead National Recreation Area;

• will have minimal impact on Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s resources and values; and

• are consistent with Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

A CUA is required if you, as an individual, orginization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other functions for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part in Lake Mead National Recreation Area,

• use park resources, and

• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the CUA.

Current CUA Directory

NPS will initiate its online CUA system on December 1, 2024 for all CUAs within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The online system includes a standard application fee of $350.00.

The application fee across all national parks will be $350 for the first application submitted by the applicant and $250 for subsequent applications from the same applicant to the same park. Application fees will be collected through the system upon application submission.

Video: How to Apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Permit

Authorized Business Services

The following service types are currently authorized within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Businesses interested in obtaining a permit for one of these types of services should request an application.

Approved Commercial Service Types for Commercial Use Authorizations

As of December 2024

• Bicycle Tours

• Boat Services - Brokering

• Boat Services - Caretaking

• Boat Services - Delivery/Launch/Retrieval/Safety Demonstrations

• Boat Services - Marine Salvage

• Boat Services - Marine Survey

• Boat Services - Raft and Boat Retrieval

• Boat Services - Towing

• Fishing Guide

• Glamping

• Horseback Riding

• Hunting Guide

• Local Shuttles

• Motorized Scenic Tours - Motorcycle

• Motorized Scenic Tours - Vehicle

• Multi-Sport Fitness Training

• Outfitters - Canoe/Kayak

• Outfitters - Canyoneering

• Outfitters - Hiking

• Outfitters - Hydro-Bike

• Outfitters - Paddleboard

• Photography Instruction

• Satellite / Cable

• Scuba Charters / Instruction

• Small Wedding Services

• Vehicle Shuttle

• Waterski/Wakeboard

If you are interested in offering a business service not listed in the above authorized business services list, please email [e-mail].

Park Management will only review in detail business services that are not in competition with concession contract required and authorized services and are appropriate services to be offered at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. New service type reviews have a minimum review time of 90 days from receipt of application with all required paperwork.

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General Requirements

• Activities must be appropriate to the mission of the National Park Service, particularly with regard to resource protection, visitor protection and interpretation.

• All commercial aspects of the business must take place outside of the recreation area, including all advertisement, soliciting business and negotiation or acceptance of any form of compensation.

• Only the actual visitor service being provided, such as fishing guide or SCUBA instruction, may occur within the recreation area.

• No temporary or permanent structures will be erected within the recreation area. No areas or structures will be exclusively assigned to the permittee.

• The services provided cannot conflict with or duplicate operations provided under any concession contract within Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

• While operating areas for a specific activity may be assigned, there is no limit placed on the number of permittees within the operating area.

• The permittee must maintain appropriate and adequate commercial liability insurance, applicable business and specialty licenses and adhere to park regulations for the specific visitor service provided.

• What if I conduct business without a CUA? Operating any type of commercial visitor service within Lake Mead National Recreation Area without written authorization from the United States is a violation of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. It is a citable offense. If you are in doubt, please contact the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Concessions Management Office either by mail, telephone, or in person.

Contact

For more information about the Commercial Use Authorization program, please contact:

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Commercial Use Authorization Office
601 Nevada Highway
Boulder City, Nevada
702-293-8869
e-mail