Business Permits and Commercial Use Authorizations

 

What is a commercial use authorization (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 Yosemite National Park;
  • will have minimal impact on Yosemite National Park’s resources and values; and
  • are consistent with Yosemite National Park’s purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.
 

 

Do I Need 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 Yosemite 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. You must be in possession of a valid CUA to conduct business in Yosemite National Park.

What services require a CUA at Yosemite National Park for 2025?

  • Chain installation
  • Chain sales
  • Fishing—spin or fly
  • Hang gliding
  • Hiking—backcountry
  • Horseback/mule/other livestock rides or services
  • Motorcycle tours
  • Photography instruction
  • Road-based commercial tours
  • Step-on interpretive guide service
  • Transport (non-tour)

How much does a CUA cost?

Annual Application Fee - 2025 (application fees are NON-REFUNDABLE)

$350 for first application, $250 for subsequent applications to same park in same calendar year. (except road-based commercial tours, which are $450)

Management Fee

In addition to the application fee, NPS must charge CUA holders a management fee that, at a minimum, recovers the costs of all CUA management after application approval. CUA management includes, but is not limited to, correspondence with the CUA holder, in-the-field monitoring, and the mitigation of resource impacts caused by the commercial activity. Yosemite National Park uses a market price calculation to assess a management fee based on the in-park gross receipts earned as a result of doing business authorized by the CUA. 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)
    • <$250,000.00 - 3% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
    • $250,000.00 to $500,000.00 - 4% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
    • >$500,000.00 - 5% of gross receipts (minus application fee)
  • Once the annual report is accepted, payment is due two-weeks after acceptance.
  • If your annual report or management fee payment is late, your current CUA will be suspended until the management fee payment is received.
  • Application and management fees are through the online CUA Application and Reporting System.

Do CUA holders have to pay park entrance fees?

Yes. Commercial tour operators must pay the appropriate entrance fee each time they enter the park with a valid debit or credit card.

How do I apply for a CUA?

Watch this video about how to use the online CUA Application and Reporting System.

How long does it take to get a CUA?

Yosemite National Park requires a minimum of 45 days to process a complete CUA application. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

What are the reporting requirements?

The holder must provide the area superintendent upon request a statement of its gross receipts from its activities under this authorization and any other specific information related to the holder’s operations that the area superintendent may request, including but not limited to, visitor use statistics, and resource impact assessments. The holder must submit annually the CUA Annual Report (NPS Form 10-660) and upon request the CUA onthly itineraries and activity report.

CUA holders must submit an annual report each year by February 28 for the previous calendar year. If your annual report is late, your current CUA will be suspended until the annual report is received. Failure to return required reports or misrepresentation of statistics or earnings may result in denial of your next CUA application or suspension of your current CUA.

Descriptions and Conditions of Activities and Services Authorized under a CUA

Yosemite National Park only issues CUAs for following authorized commercial activities:

  • Chain Installation: Authorizes the operator to install and/or remove Caltrans-approved tire chains at the point of need along roadways or within parking lots as authorized or assigned. The holder is authorized to install and remove tire traction devices on private and commercial vehicles within Yosemite National Park for a fee.

  • Chain Sales: Authorizes the operator to sell Caltrans-approved tire chains at the point of need along park roadways or within parking lots.

  • Fishing – Spin or Fly: Authorizes guided fishing. Activities in back country areas may require an additional wilderness permit. No other water activities are covered; no water vessels are authorized.

  • Hang Gliding: Authorizes hang gliding activities conducted with class 1 and class 2 non-powered hang gliders and expressly excludes class 3 (paragliders) and parachutes used in BASE-jumping activities.

  • Hiking – Backcountry: Authorizes guided day hiking and overnight backpacking trips. A separate wilderness permit is required for overnight backpacking. Winter activities are included in this CUA. Half Dome hikes require additional permits. Activities conducted in wilderness areas may require additional permits.

  • Horseback/Mule/Other Livestock Rides or Services: Authorizes guided day rides, full-service pack trips, spot pack trips, continuous hire trips, and NPS administrative trips.

  • Motorcycle Tours: Authorizes guided motorcycle tours traveling on paved roadways.

  • Photography Instruction: Authorizes photography and art instruction that focus on the scenic, cultural, and/or natural resources of Yosemite National Park to create an instructional based experience designed to improve a photographer's or artist's skills and/or techniques.

  • Road-Based Commercial Tours: Authorizes guided road-based interpretive tours. RBCTs are defined as one or more persons traveling within a single vehicle on an improved roadway on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. RBCT CUA holders provide no other services except those 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, and wayside exhibits). Guided walks are authorized in developed public areas and front country trails which include but are not limited to the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Yosemite Village, Yosemite History Center, paved public walkways and wayside vista areas). Conducting guided hikes on wilderness area trails requires a separate CUA.

  • Step-on Interpretive Guide Service: Authorizes the guide to be transported by the client in the client’s vehicle (bus, auto, private or commercial). The guide MAY NOT drive the client’s vehicle.

  • Transport (non-tour): Authorizes transportation companies, at the client’s request, to provide passengers transportation into the park and drop off at a prearranged location or pick up from a specified park location and transported back to their start point from a location inside or outside of the park. These services are not sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. Buses are not authorized under this CUA.

 

 

Additional Information

Authorized Guides

  • View a list of authorized guides.
    Please note, this is not a comprehensive list. This list only shows CUA holders that chose to be included in the directory. If you are representing a CUA holder that spots an error, please contact the CUA office.

If you have questions please email us or call 209/347-1893.

Last updated: June 13, 2025

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Contact Info

Phone:

209/372-0200

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