An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .gov A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A
lock (
) or https:// means you've safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Starting in 2027, Road-Based Commercial Tours (RBCT) are required to have a CUA at Shenandoah.
What do I need to know before applying?
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.
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.
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
Guided Motorized Tour – 15 passengers or less
The Guided Motorized Tour (GMT) CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct tours that are defined as one or more persons traveling within a single 15 passenger-capacity or less vehicle on an improved roadway on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. This CUA authorizes services that are incidental to road-based travel in an area unit of the National Park System (on-board interpretation and incidental stops at visitor centers, restaurants, wayside exhibits, etc.). This CUA does not authorize hiking, backcountry camping, fishing, climbing, bicycle tours or other services.
First Aid/CPR
Leave No Trace 101
15
Road-Based Commercial Tours
Note: starting in 2027, RBCT's are required to have a CUA at Shenandoah.
The Road-Based Commercial Tours (RBCT) CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct tours that are defined as one or more persons traveling within a single 16+ passenger capacity vehicle on an improved roadway on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. This CUA authorizes services that are incidental to road-based travel in an area unit of the National Park System (on-board interpretation and incidental stops at visitor centers, restaurants, wayside exhibits, etc.). This CUA does not authorize hiking, backcountry camping, fishing, climbing, bicycle tours or other services.
First Aid/CPR
Leave No Trace 101
Vehicle capacity
Hiking/Walking - Frontcountry
The Hiking/Walking - Frontcountry CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct large group guided hiking services on designated frontcountry trails only for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA does not authorize backcountry camping or overnight use. See Activity-Specific conditions for a list of authorized trails.
First Aid/CPR
Leave No Trace 101
60
Fitness
The Fitness CUA authorizes the Holder to conduct guided fitness activities such as stretching and yoga for private individuals, groups, or organizations. This CUA does not authorize hiking, backcountry camping, fishing, climbing, bicycle tours or other services
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.
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 “Service Specification”. 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:
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?
For frequently asked questions relating to the new online system, visit the NPS CUA Help page.
Interested parties can an apply any time during the year for the current 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.
For a complete list of requirements and to apply, visit the online CUA system. Search by park or by service type to apply.
Application packages may vary by service type but generally require the following items:
Application – includes company and contact information.
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.
Insurance – commercial general liability is required for all CUA types. Commercial auto liability may also be required.
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:
Copy of safety information provided to clients
Employee list
Vehicle list
Required certifications – listed above by service type
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.
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 SHEN_permits@nps.gov.
Last updated: August 10, 2026
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
Shenandoah National Park
3655 U.S. Highway 211 East
Luray,
VA
22835
