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Contact: Josh Boisvert, Commercial Services Manager, 253-392-5424
ASHFORD, Wash. – Superintendent Greg Dudgeon announced today the park will accept Commercial Use Authorization applications through the National Park Service’s online portal starting September 1, 2026 for Bicycle Tours, Camping – Backcountry (formerly Summer Backpacking), Camping – Frontcountry (formerly Drive-in Camping), Guided Motorized Tour – 15 passengers or less, Hiking – Backcountry (formerly Summer Day Hiking), Road-based Commercial Tour, and Transport (non-tour) activities.
To better assist potential commercial operators in understanding the requirements of applying for and holding a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA), Mount Rainier National Park has created a standalone CUA webpage.
As part of a larger effort to streamline and modernize the National Park Service (NPS) CUA program, the NPS has developed an online system (https://cua.nps.gov/) designed for processing CUA applications and collecting required fees and annual reports. Non-profit applications are also received, issued, and reports collected through the online system. Instructional videos for potential CUA operators are hosted at https://cua.nps.gov/help/.
The online CUA system includes a standard application fee across all national parks. The standard application fee is $350 for the first application and $250 for subsequent applications from the same applicant to the same park. Application fees must be paid through the online CUA system upon application submission. Management fees, activity specific, will be collected in arears annually through the system.
The number of CUAs issued at Mount Rainier National Park for many commercial activities will continue to be limited per the park’s Commercial Services Plan. Potential permittees will compete for the award of a CUA. Applications will be accepted until all permits have been issued. To ensure the most qualified operators are selected for CUAs, application evaluations will occur at the end of each month.
The park will accept Bicycle Tours, Camping – Backcountry, Camping – Frontcountry, and Hiking – Backcountry applications from September 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026, for the first evaluation round. If there are CUAs available after the September round, there will be a second evaluation of applications received between October 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026.
All vehicle-based activities are neither limited nor competitive. Guided Motorized Tour – 15 passengers or less, Road-based Commercial Tours, and Transport (non-tour) Commercial Use Authorizations will be open for continuous 2027 applications beginning September 1, 2026. While non-competitive, applicants must still meet all conditions prior to being awarded the associated activity’s CUA.
Special Use Permits in lieu of a Commercial Use Authorization
Any organized group in which participants exchange money and/or employees are compensated for a service within Mount Rainier National Park is required to get a permit to operate in the Park. These organized groups include, but are not limited to, non-profits, city, state, and collegiate recreational programs, government municipality and military morale, welfare, and recreation programs, or those that offer fundraising activities within the Park.The Park recommends these organizations apply for a CUA, if the organization chooses, as the total number of permits issued are capped per the Commercial Services Plan. Since CUAs are issued in two-year terms, CUAs provide greater consistency for organizations and allow for better protection and management of the Park. If requested by a qualifying organization, the Commercial Services Program will instead issue a Special Use Permit (SUP) in lieu of a Commercial Use Authorization (SUPilCUA) instead of a CUA.
SUPilCUA requests must be emailed to our office at e-mail us prior to applying through the online system. SUPilCUAs are only valid for one year and are available on a first-come, first-served basis within the qualifications and requirements as CUAs. Once limits have been reached, applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis as determined by carrying capacity per the Commercial Services Plan.
Starting September 1, 2026, the SUP in lieu of a CUA program can accept applications for:
- 2027 Bicycle Tours
- 2027 Camping – Backcountry
- 2027 Camping – Frontcountry
- 2027 Guided Motorized Tour – 15 passengers or less
- 2027 Hiking – Backcountry
- 2027 Photography Instruction
- 2027 Road-based Commercial Tour
- 2027 Transport (non-tour)
www.nps.gov
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Last updated: August 4, 2026