2025 CUA Applications
Watch this informational video before applying for CUA.
All 2025 CUA applications will be processed through the new online CUA Application and Reporting System beginning October 01, 2024.
- Road Based Commercial Tours CUA application will begin November 06, 2024
*This will be a one-year CUA expiring December 31, 2025.**
The application window closes 11:59pm (AZ time) on March 31, 2025. CUA applications will not be accepted after March 31, 2025..
We will continue to process CUA applications through April 30, 2025. Applications that have not been completed by April 30, 2025 will not be issued a CUA.
Access the online CUA Application and Reporting System to beging setting up your account.
**Grand Canyon National Park will not be available in the System until October 1, 2024**
- Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.
- We require up to 45 days to process a complete application.
Application Fees
- Application fees are NON-REFUNDABLE
- Existing Road Based Commercial Tours CUA fees will not change for the 2025 calendar year. Road Based Commercial Tours, Motorcycle Tours, and Transport (Non-Tour) activities were previously covered in our Road Based Tour/Transportation CUA; therefore, the CUA application fees for these 3 activities will remain at $300 for 2025.
Application fees are paid directly through the CUA Application and Reporting System.
Table: Application Fees
Activity | Application Fee |
Backcountry Hiking | $350; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
Bicycle Tours | $350; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
Motorcycle Tours | $300; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
Photography & Art Workshops | $350; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
River Equipment Rental & Delivery | $350; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
Road Based Commercial Tours | $300; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
Transport (Non-Tour) | $300; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
Tuweep Tours | $350; $250 for subsequent applications received in the same park for the same CUA season for other types of services. |
Required Documents
The following documents (if applicable) must be uploaded onto the online CUA Application and Reporting System:
- Insurance Certification naming the United States as Additional Insured.
- Required for all CUA applicants.
- Operating Plan - Click to fill out form
- Required for all CUA applicants.
- Guide Registration Form - Click to download
- Required for Backcountry Hiking, Bicycle Tours, and Tuweep Tours
- Applicable documents used to address client risk
- Note: 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.
Insurance
Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance
Liability insurance is required for all CUA holders under the terms of the authorization. Such insurance should be of sufficient scope to cover all potential risks and in an amount to cover claims that can reasonably be expected in the event of serious injury or death. The minimum commercial general liability insurance is $1,000,000 per occurrence. Liability insurance policies must name the United States of America as additional insured. The business or person that is providing the service must be the named insured (policy holder).
NOTE: Companies that provide transportation only are not required to have Commercial General Liability as long as the passengers do not disembark.
Commercial Auto Liability Insurance
Commercial Auto Liability Insurance is required if a CUA holder transports passengers or uses owned/leased/rented vehicles in the performance of the service in the park.
NOTE: If a CUA holder charters the vehicle and those chartered vehicles are owned and operated by another company, the CUA holder is not required to have Commercial Automobile Liability insurance.
If the CUA applicant or holder will use rented or leased vehicles in performance of the authorized service, the applicant or holder must secure appropriate insurance for that rented or leased vehicle in the amount required by the CUA application. Proof of insurance secured directly from the rental or lease company may not be available upon application submission, but applicants are required to provide proof of insurance coverage after application submission upon NPS request.
The minimum Commercial Auto Liability Insurance for interstate passenger transport is:
Table: Auto Insurance Coverage
| Commercial Vehicle Insurance – Passenger Transport (bodily injury and property damage) Vehicle Passenger Capacity | Minimum per Occurrence Liability Limits |
|---|---|
15 or fewer passengers | $1,500,000 Minimum per Occurrence Liability |
16 or more passengers | $5,000,000 |
Authorized Activities
NOTE: The names of our CUA types are slightly different in the online application system.
Authorized Activity | Activity in On-Line System | Activity Defined |
Backcountry Hiking | Hiking-backcountry | Authorizes guided day hiking and overnight backpacking trips below the rim. A separate backcountry camping permit is required for overnight backpacking. |
Bicycle Tours | Bicycle Tours | Authorizes road-based guided bicycle tours. The use of Class 1 e-bikes is authorized with this CUA. |
| Motorcycle Tours | Motorcycle/Scooter Tour | Authorizes guided motorcycle tours on paved roadways on an itinerary sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. This CUA does NOT authorize Scooter Tours. |
Photography and Art Workshops | Photography Instruction | Authorizes road-based above the rim instructional workshops that focus on the scenic, cultural, and/or natural resources of Grand Canyon to create an instructional based experience designed to improve a photographer's or artist's skills and/or techniques. |
River Equipment Rental & Delivery | Equipment Rental | Authorizes delivery service of river rental equipment to Lee’s Ferry and pick up of same at Pearce Ferry for authorized private, non-commercial river permit holders. Transportation of clients to and from put-in/take-out trailheads for passenger exchanges is permitted with this CUA. |
Road Based Commercial Tours | Road-based Commercial Tours - bus, van, auto, etc. | Authorizes one or more persons traveling within a single vehicle on an improved roadway on a guided interpretive or scenic tour sold for leisure/recreational/educational purposes. Road Based Commercial Tours (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.). |
| Transport (Non-Tour) | Transport (non-tour) - road, air, water based | Authorizes frequent and scheduled transportation services to and from the park, such as shuttle services; and/or, shuttle services within the park (such as rim-to-rim shuttles) to drop off and pick up passengers at trailheads, parking areas, pullouts, and developed areas. |
Tuweep Tours | Other | Authorizes road-based day and overnight guided interpretive tours on the Toroweap Road by motor vehicle. A separate backcountry camping permit is required for overnight use at Tuweep Campground. |
