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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.
Road-Based Commercial Tours (RBCT)
An RBCT is 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. 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, wayside exhibits, etc.). At the discretion of the area superintendent, CUAs issued for RBCTs may cover minor additional services such as guided day hiking
- Motorcoach operators providing chartered transportation services only are not required to apply for and secure a RBCT CUA. The tour provider must obtain the RBCT CUA.
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Transportation-only services such as charter bus companies, taxis, shuttles, and on demand ridesharing services do not meet the definition of RBCTs unless those services are sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes.
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The business entity who assumes the responsibility and liability of the clients travelling in the park is responsible. This entity is most commonly the tour company who accompanies paying clients to the NPS unit(s). It may also be the tour packager who develops and packages the RBCT and sells the RBCT to a third-party (e.g., international tour operator), but does not accompany the clients to the NPS unit(s). In this case, the RBCT CUA conditions require the CUA holder (the tour packager) to assume responsibility for the third-party while that third-party is operating in the NPS unit(s) under the RBCT CUA.
NEW CUA Coming in 2026 for Guided Interpretive Tours
This CUA is for a guided tour, the main purpose of which is transporting clients throughout the park and allows stops at facilities, services, boardwalks, and developed areas. Guided interpretive tours may not exceed a manufactured capacity of 15 passengers. These activities take visitors through the park's road system and developed areas open to the public and may use established trails to conduct short walks (no more than two miles roundtrip) with a focus on interpreting the park history, landscapes, and wildlife. Guided interpretive tours allow for photography opportunities that do not include instruction.
- No management fee is required until 2027 season.
Transportation (Point to Point)
This CUA is for when a transportation company provides, at the client's request, service to and from the park. These services are not sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. Passengers must only be picked up or dropped off at established trailheads, parking areas, pullouts, and developed areas.
CUA holders operating vehicles over 21 feet in length must use designated passenger loading/unloading zones and bus parking areas.
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For charter companies that in previous years obtained a road-based commercial tour CUA, and who strictly intend to drop off and/or pick up at a predetermined location and the sole purpose of the trip is transportation, a transportation CUA is required.
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If a transportation company is hired by a tour operator and the tour operator has a road-based commercial tour CUA, it is not necessary to have a transportation CUA as well.
- If a charter bus is dropping clients in the park, the group must have a prearranged means to exit the park.
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:
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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.
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Chain Sales: Authorizes the operator to sell Caltrans-approved tire chains at the point of need along park roadways or within parking lots.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Motorcycle Tours: Authorizes guided motorcycle tours traveling on paved roadways.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
CONDITIONS OF THIS AUTHORIZATION
THESE CONDITIONS ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES OR AREAS LISTED ON THIS AUTHORIZATION.
Updated 5/23/2025
- False Information: The holder is prohibited from knowingly giving false information. To do so will be considered a breach of conditions and be grounds for revocation: [RE: 36 CFR 2.32(a) (3)].
- Legal Compliance: The holder shall exercise this privilege subject to the supervision of the area Superintendent. The holder shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the area and terms and conditions of the authorization. The holder must acquire all permits or licenses of State or local government, as applicable, necessary to provide the services described above, and, must operate in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including, without limitation, all applicable park area policies, procedures and regulations. All vehicles/vessels/aircraft are required to be registered and the operators are required to have the proper licenses to operate them commercially, as required by law or regulation.
- Employee Conduct: The holder must ensure that its employees are hospitable and exercise courtesy and consideration in their relations with the public. The holder must establish appropriate screening, hiring, training, safety, employment, termination and other policies and procedures. The holder must review the conduct of any of its employees whose action or activities are considered by the holder or the Director to be inconsistent with the proper administration of the Area and enjoyment and protection of visitors and must take such actions as are necessary to correct the situation. The holder must maintain, to the greatest extent possible, a drug free work environment.
- Rates: The holder shall provide commercial services under this authorization to visitors at reasonable rates satisfactory to the area Superintendent.
- Operating Conditions: The holder shall provide the authorized commercial services to visitors under operating conditions satisfactory to the area Superintendent.
- Liabilities and Claims: This authorization is issued upon the express condition that the United States, its agents and employees shall be free from all liabilities and claims for damages and/or suits for or by reason of any injury, injuries, or death to any person or persons or property of any kind whatsoever, whether to the person or property of the holder, its agents or employees, or third parties, from any cause or causes whatsoever while in or upon said premises or any part thereof during the term of this authorization or occasioned by any occupancy or use of said premises or any activity carried on by the holder in connection herewith, and the holder hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless the United States, its agents, and employees from all liabilities, charges, expenses and costs on account of or by reason of any such injuries, deaths, liabilities, claims, suits or losses however occurring or damages growing out of the same.
- Insurance: Holder agrees to carry general liability insurance against claims occasioned by the action or omissions of the holder, its agents and employees in carrying out activities and operations under this authorization. The policy shall name the United States of America as additional insured. Holder agrees to have on file with the park copies of the above insurance with the proper endorsements.
- CUA Fees: At a minimum, the holder shall reimburse the park for all costs incurred by the park as a result of accepting and processing the application and managing and monitoring the authorized activity. Administrative costs for the application process must be paid when the application is submitted. Monitoring fees and any additional costs incurred by the park to support the commercial activity will be paid annually or on a more frequent basis as determined by mutual agreement between the Holder and the area Superintendent.
- Benefit: No member of, or delegate to, Congress, or Resident Commissioner shall be admitted to any share or part of this authorization or to any benefit that may arise from this authorization. This restriction shall not be construed to extend to this Contract if made with a corporation or company for its general benefit.
- Transfer: This authorization may not be transferred or assigned without the written consent of the area Superintendent.
- Termination: This authorization may be terminated upon breach of any of the conditions herein or at the discretion of the area Superintendent.
- Preference or Exclusivity: The holder is not entitled to any preference to renewal of this authorization except to the extent otherwise expressly provided by law. This authorization is not exclusive and is not a concession contract.
- Construction: The holder shall not construct any structures, fixtures or improvements in the park area. The holder shall not engage in any groundbreaking activities without the express, written approval of the area Superintendent.
- Reporting: The holder must submit annually the CUA Annual Report (NPS Form 10-660) by January 31 for the prior CUA season and also must submit upon request the CUA Monthly Report (NPS Form 10-660A). The holder is to provide the area Superintendent upon request 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.
- Accounting: The holder is to maintain an accounting system under which its accounts can be readily identified within its system of accounts classification. This accounting system must be capable of providing the information required by this authorization. The holder grants the United States of America access to its books and records at any time for the purpose of determining compliance with the terms and conditions of this authorization.
- Minimum Wage: The holder must comply with all provisions of Executive Order 14026 of April 27, 2021, (Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors) and its implementing regulations, including the applicable contract clause, codified at 29 C.F.R. part 23, all of which are incorporated by reference into this authorization as if fully set forth in this authorization.
- Visitor Acknowledgment of Risks (VAR): The holder is not permitted to require clients sign a waiver of liability statement or form, insurance disclaimer, and/or indemnification agreement waiving the client’s right to hold the CUA holder responsible for accidents or injury occurring on NPS property. The holder is permitted to request or require a client to sign a form or statement acknowledging risk and/or indicating that certain prerequisite skills may be needed to participate in the commercial activity. The holder must provide the park with the current copy of all forms and/or statements used for this purpose and obtain written approval by the park to use the form and/or statement. A sample Acknowledgment of Risk form may be obtained by contacting the CUA office at e-mail us or by going to the park CUA webpage.
- Intellectual Property of the National Park Service: Except with the written authorization of the Director of the National Park Service, the Holder shall not assert any legal claim that the Holder or any related entity holds a trademark, tradename, servicemark or other ownership interest in the words "National Park Service", the initials "NPS", or official name of any unit or part thereof, including but not limited to any facility, logo, distinctive natural, archaeological, cultural, or historic site, within the National Park System, or any colorable likeness thereof, or the likeness of a National Park Service official uniform, badge, logo, or insignia.
- Nondiscrimination: The holder must comply with Applicable Laws relating to nondiscrimination in providing visitor services to the public and with all equal employment opportunity provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended.
- Notification of Employee Rights: The holder must comply with all provisions of Executive Order 13496 of January 30, 2009, (Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws) and its implementing regulations, including the applicable contract clause, codified at 29 CFR part 471, appendix A to subpart A, all of which are incorporated by reference into this authorization as if fully set forth in this authorization.
Additional Information
Authorized Guides
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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.
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