Commercial Use Authorizations

The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

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

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 Saguaro National Park; 
• Will have minimal impact on Saguaro National Park’s resources and values; and 
• Are consistent with Saguaro National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations. 

A CUA may be required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part in Saguaro National Park, 
• use park resources, and 
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit. 

Who needs a CUA?

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

• take place at least in part in Saguaro National Park,
• 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.

The Following Services Require CUAs in Saguaro National Park:

• Bicycle Tours
• Backcountry Camping
• Climbing/Mountaineering
• Guided Interpretive Tours
• Frontcountry Hiking/Walking
• Horseback/Mule Rides
• Outdoor Skills Education
• Photography Instruction

Road-Based Commercial Tours as well as Transportation will be added as CUA service types for the 2027 Calendar year.

How much does a CUA cost?

• Annual Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee for CUAs is $350. This fee is due at application submission.
• Market Price Fee: Parks are required to collect a reasonable fee to recover the costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. CUA holders are subject to a market price fee calculated by gross receipts earned from park-based operations. Application fees are credited to the CUA holder upon payment of market price fee. Fees are based on the following:

Market Price Fee (% of gross receipts earned from park-based operations)

• <$250,000 – 3% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
• $250,000 to $500,000 – 4% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
• >$500,000 – 5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)

You will receive a bill of collection for the market price from the National Park Service.

Do CUA holders have to pay park entrance fees?

Yes. CUA holders (except for Road-based Commercial Tour CUA holders) pay the park's per-person entrance fee $15 for their clients, passes are accepted.

Road-based Commercial Tour CUA holder entrance fee pricing is listed below. Passes are not accepted for Road-based Commercial Tour CUA holders.

What are the reporting requirements?

You are required to submit an annual report (NPS Form 10-660) through this system by January 31 for the previous calendar year operations. This report provides the park with visitation statistics, reportable injury data, and a record of annual gross receipts.

Monthly reports, if required, are due by the 15th of each month for the previous month operations using NPS Form 10-660A.

You must return each report via email. Failure to submit required reports or misrepresentation of reported statistics or earnings will result in denial of your next CUA application.

How do I apply for a CUA?

The 2027 CUA application period will open November 15^th 2026 and will close on February 28th, 2027. For inquiries before or after those dates please send an email to [e-mail].

To apply for a CUA, go to https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cua/applying-for-a-cua.htm and follow the instructions provided.

Saguaro National Park CUA Revocation and Suspension Policy

This policy memorandum is intended to provide guidance regarding the actions taken in the event of a permittee violation (as defined in this policy). The Superintendent, at his or her discretion, may take actions other than those identified and retains the authority to immediately suspend, restrict, or revoke a CUA or deny a future CUA application for reasons not covered in this policy memorandum.

Road-based Commercial Vehicles Parking and Accessing the park:

• Red Hills Visitor Center - Tucson Mountain District - West Side:
  • Limited parking is available for tour buses at Red Hills Visitor Center. Tour buses are not permitted to drive the Bajada Loop Drive

• Rincon Mountain Visitor Center - Rincon Mountain District - East Side:
  • No parking is available for tour buses at the Visitor Center or along the Cactus Forest Loop Drive. Tour buses are permitted to drive the Cactus Forest Loop Drive without stopping. A parking lot improvement project is in progress and will affect access to the visitor center and loop drive through the end of 2026. Check the website for updates.

Entrance Fees for Road-based Commercial Vehicles

• Road-Based Commercial Tour vehicles will be charged based on vehicle capacity:
  • Vehicles with a capacity of 16-25: will be charged a flat fee of $40
  • Vehicles with a capacity of 26+: will be charged a flat fee of $100

• Road-Based Commercial Tour vehicles with a vehicle capacity of up to 15 will need to apply for the Guided Interpretation CUA.

CUA Office Contact Information

Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]