Commercial Use Authorizations

What do I need to know before applying?

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 Shenandoah; will have minimal impact on Shenandoah’s resources and values; and are consistent with Shenandoah’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

When is a CUA required?

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 Shenandoah,
• 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.

What are the approved CUA service types?

 

CUA Service Type	Included Activities	Requirements*	Group Size Limit**
Camping – backcountry	The Camping – backcountry CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided overnight hiking/backpacking services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Backcountry Permit – required for each trip. Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101 Course  Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Hiking – backcountry	The Hiking-backcountry CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided hiking services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.   See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101  Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Fishing – spin or fly	The Fishing – spin or fly CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided spin or fly fishing services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking and fishing in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.  See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101 Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Climbing/ Mountaineering – day trip	The Climbing/Mountaineering – day trip CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided rock climbing services for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking and climbing in the front country and backcountry. This CUA does not authorize camping or overnight use.  See additional information below regarding Designated Wilderness use.	Wilderness First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101  Old Rag Ticket – only required if hiking Old Rag between March 1 and November 30.	10
Bicycle Tours	The Bicycle Tour CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided electric or non-motorized bicycle tour services on paved roads for private individuals, groups, or organizations.	First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101	10
Photography Instruction	The Photography Instruction CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided photography tours, instruction and workshops of landscapes for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA authorizes hiking in non-wilderness areas only. This CUA does not authorize use of models, sets or props or activity in Wilderness.	First Aid/CPR  Leave No Trace 101	10

*Backcountry permits are required for each overnight trip. Old Rag day-use tickets are required for each trip to the Old Rag area between March 1 and November 30. One trip guide/leader per trip must be certified in the above listed First Aid/CPR and Leave No Trace courses. Proof of certifications is not required with the application but must be made available upon request.

**Group size limit includes clients, trip leaders, guides, and any other employees. For Bicycle Tours only: drivers and passengers on support vehicles, who will not be cycling at all during the trip, do not count towards group size. 

Can I conduct commercial services in Designated Wilderness?

Nearly 40% of land at Shenandoah National Park is Designated Wilderness. In order to preserve wilderness character, the number of CUAs issued that authorize activity in wilderness will be limited to the following:

• Camping – backcountry: 6
• Hiking – backcountry: 6
• Fishing – spin or fly: 3
• Climbing/ Mountaineering – Day Trip: 3
• Bicycle Tours: prohibited in Wilderness
• Photography Instruction: prohibited in Wilderness

If you would like to conduct commercial services in Designated Wilderness (interactive map with Wilderness boundary), make sure that you are applying for the correct CUA type with “Wilderness and non-wilderness” under “Specific Location”. It is the responsibility of the applicant to know where Shenandoah Wilderness boundaries are, to apply for the correct CUA, and to incorporate this into your trip planning. 

There are no limits to the numbers of CUAs issued for non-wilderness areas.

These limits are currently under review and may be updated in the future.

Additional resources for understanding Designated Wilderness:

• Wilderness.net
• NPS Wilderness Site

Can I conduct commercial services on the Appalachian Trail?

The Shenandoah National Park Commercial Services Office will not issue any CUA allowing a CUA Holder to conduct commercial services on the Appalachian Trail  (AT80). Any use of the AT80 (emergencies not withstanding) is a violation of the CUA Special Conditions and is grounds for immediate revocation. The Appalachian Trail Management Plan, an agreement between Director, National Park Service and Chief, National Forest Service for the management of the AT on federal lands, specifically calls out commercial activity as contrary to the idea and intent of the simple footpath.

 

How do I apply for a CUA?

Starting in 2025, all CUA applications will go through the online CUA system. Search by park or by service type to apply.

For frequently asked questions relating to the new online system, visit the NPS CUA Help page.

Step 1: Know when to apply.

Interested parties can an apply any time during the year for the current year’s CUA and beginning November 1 for next year’s CUA. CUA’s are issued for one calendar year, expiring on December 31, regardless of when you apply.

Please note that Shenandoah requires at least 30 days to process a CUA application and applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

Step 2: Apply.

For a complete list of requirements and to apply, visit the online CUA system.

Application packages may vary by service type but generally require the following items:

1. Application – includes company and contact information.
2. Application Fee – the nonrefundable application fee for CUAs is $350 for the first service type. The application fee for subsequent service types at the same park from the same applicant is $250.
3. Insurance – commercial general liability is required for all CUA types. Commercial auto liability may also be required.
4. Operating Plan – upload a plan for this year’s operation including intended dates/locations, sample itineraries/packages, guide/employee information, safety information, group sizes, and other relevant information.

Required items that do not need to be submitted with the application, but must be made available to the NPS upon request:

1. Copy of safety information provided to clients
2. Employee list
3. Vehicle list
4. Required certifications – listed above by service type

Step 3: Visit the park.

Entrance Fees: CUA holders are required to pay applicable park commercial entrance fees for each group entering the park according to activity type or vehicle size. Entrance fees may be paid on site at park entrance stations or ahead of time on recreation.gov.

Required Documentation: While in the park, the CUA holder or guide must have a printed or downloaded digital copy of the CUA and all conditions pages with them at all times. This must be presented to NPS staff, including but not limited to entrance station staff, law enforcement officers, and commercial services staff, when requested. It is the holders responsibility to know and follow all conditions of the authorization, park regulations, and federal law.

Step 4: Complete reporting and pay management fees.

Annual Reports: You are required to submit an annual report through the online system by January 31 for the previous calendar year operations. Failure to submit an annual report may lead to suspension or denial of future CUAs.

Camping, hiking, climbing, and fishing CUA holders are also required to submit the supplemental activity report spreadsheet, due at the time of the annual report. 

Management Fees: In addition to the application fee, CUA holders must pay a management fee to allow Shenandoah to recover costs associated with administering and managing the CUA program. The required management fee for each CUA service type and additional details can be found under “CUA Fees” for that service on the CUA online system. The management fee must be paid annually no later than January 31, for the prior year, based on the information that you provide in your annual report.

Failure to submit your annual report and pay the corresponding management fee will prevent you from being issued a future CUA.

 

Contact Information

For questions about commercial use authorizations or applying please contact the Commercial Services Office at [e-mail].