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The National Park Service requires specific authorizations for commercial businesses to operate in national parks, usually in the form of a Commercial Use Authorization. What is a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA)?Public Law 105-391, Section 418, which was signed in 1998, provides for the issuance of Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs) to a private person, corporation, or other entity to provide suitable commercial services for park area visitors. Commercial activities are generally prohibited in National Parks unless authorized by a CUA or concessions contract. What Activities and Services are Authorized Through a CUA?Yellowstone National Park currently issues activity-based CUAs for the following activities. Please select an activity-based CUA for a detailed operating plan. All activity-based CUAs are issued for up to one year. The CUA operating year is from January 1 to December 31. For each application there is a $350 application fee for the first application submitted during a CUA season. That same applicant will pay a $250 application fee for each subsequent application submitted to the same park during the same CUA season. 
Authorizes road-based bicycle trips and front-country hiking on boardwalk areas and trails less than ½-mile from the road.
Authorizes interpretive road-based tours, geyser basin touring, and non-instructional photography tours.
Authorizes interpretive nordic skiing, telemark skiing, or snowshoeing trips.
Authorizes overnight backcountry camping with an appropriate backcountry permit.
Authorizes road-based photography and painting workshops which include photography and/or painting instruction or facilitation.
Authorizes guided touring using non-motorized boats in Yellowstone, Lewis, or Shoshone Lakes.
Authorizes guided walk and wade fishing trips in park streams and lakes. Float tube use in lakes is permitted with this CUA.
Authorizes guided touring or fishing trips in motorized boats on Yellowstone Lake and/or Lewis Lake.
Yellowstone National Park currently issues service-based CUAs for the following activities. Please select a service-based CUA for a detailed operating plan. All service-based CUAs are issued for up to a two-year period. The CUA operating year is from January 1 to December 31. All service-based CUA activities require a $350 non-refundable application fee. 
Authorizes CUA holders to provide towing, tire repair, locksmith, and RV and RV appliance repair services.
Authorizes commercial access to Yellowstone River by traveling through NPS property for the purpose of providing guided tours and trips.
Services Not PermittedThese types of commercial services are prohibited in Yellowstone National Park. These services are not allowed through the Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Program or authorized under any other permit in Yellowstone National Park:
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe authorization is issued to an operator to permit the provision of suitable commercial services to park area visitors. The superintendent determines if an operator has the ability to satisfactorily provide visitor services and carry out the terms of the CUA. The superintendent determines that the commercial services are “suitable”; that is they (a) will have minimal impact on park area’s resources and values; (b) are consistent with the purposes for which the park area was established; and, (c) are consistent with all applicable park area management plans, policies, and regulations. The holder must agree to comply with all of the general and specific conditions described in the CUA conditions and operating plans. You should familiarize yourself with these documents before applying for a CUA.
All activity- and service-based CUAs are issued for up to one year. The CUA operating year is from January 1 to December 31.
For more information on applying and seasonal deadlines please visit Application Process and Required Documents.
For the first application submitted during a CUA season, the applicant will pay a $350 application fee. That same applicant will pay a $250 application fee for each subsequent application submitted to the same NPS unit during the same CUA season. This fee is not refundable. The application fee for each activity will be credited toward the management fee paid at the end of that operating year. The management fee is due at the end of the operating year and is based on a percentage of the operating year’s gross receipts. This fee must be paid to the park after the park has reviewed and approved the annual report, which is submitted by January 31st, after the operating year has ended. Management fee is based on percentage of gross receipts ($350.00/$250 application fee for the operating year acts as a credit towards the following):
“Gross receipts” means the total of all revenues received from services a CUA holder is authorized to provide within Yellowstone National Park. The CUA holder is responsible for maintaining accounting records that demonstrate evidence of gross receipts and required fee payment. NPS may audit CUA holder financial reports at any time. All service-based CUA activities require a $350 non-refundable application fee. The CUA holder is responsible for maintaining accounting records that demonstrate evidence of gross receipts and required fee payment. NPS may audit CUA holder financial reports at any time.
National Park Service Policy requires the Superintendent to charge a reasonable fee for CUAs. The park retains such fees to help pay for the cost of the CUA program, including administration, evaluations, monitoring, and training.
Annual Reports, which cover the operating year and require reporting of gross receipts, trips, and visitors served for each month of that year, are due by January 31st following the end of the operating year. A separate Annual Report is required for each activity a CUA holder has a CUA for. Annual Reports will be hosted on the CUA Online Application and Reporting System (COARS).
Commercial Use Authorization applicants and holders must make all payments for application fees and management fees through CUA Online Application and Reporting System (COARS).
The commercial use authorization holder will abide by the applicable YELL activity-specific operating plans and Special Park Conditions. Failure to operate in a manner satisfactory to the area Superintendent may result in the suspension, revocation, or denial of the current or future CUA.
Resources
Download or review resources for anyone who may routinely work with visitors to Yellowstone National Park.
A permit is required for filming, photography, and audio recording.
Contact UsIf you have any questions regarding the CUA application process or requirements, please email the Business and Commercial Services Office: yell_cua_admins@nps.gov. |
Last updated: September 30, 2026