Commercial Use Authorizations

What are Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)?

A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a business permit with the National Park Service that authorizes an individual, group, company, or other entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park area.

A CUA may be 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 Denali National Park and Preserve, use park resources, and result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit. 

CUA Application Process

Commercial operators seeking a CUA should first review the authorized activities and associated stipulations (rules) for the activity, Denali National Park and Preserve, and the NPS. They should also review the responsibilities of CUA holders. Next, they should gather the necessary documents for the application. Lastly, they should watch the tutorial on completing the online application. Once prepared, they can fill out and submit the online application for review.

• All CUAs are issued for one or two years.
• 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.
• Denali accepts applications from November 1st through April 30th.

What Activities and Services are Permitted Through a CUA?

Denali National Park and Preserve currently issues CUAs for the following activities and services. Please select a service type to learn more and review the rules and stipulations.

Responsibilities of CUA Holders

CUA holders must be knowledgeable of and adhere to all stipulations, maintain up to date records with the Denali CUA office, pay application and annual fees, and complete activity reports and annual financial reports.

Activities that Do Not Require a Permit

Commercial operators may bring clients to the park’s frontcountry areas (up to mile 1.5 of the Park Road), including the Visitor Center, Bus Depot, Riley Creek day-use area and campground, and the Mercantile without a CUA. Clients are welcome to explore these areas independently; however, guiding is not allowed. If operators accompany clients on frontcountry trails a CUA is required. Operators may accompany clients beyond the Visitor Center area (mile 1.5) on buses but must conduct themselves as a visitor.

Unauthorized Activities and Revocation Policy

Unauthorized activities in Denali National Park include providing commercial services or guiding without a valid Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) or conducting operations outside of the permit stipulations. Violations can result in penalties, fines, or permit revocation.

Activities that Require a Different Kind of Permit

Activities such as photography, weddings, and backpacking require permits. Riding a bus, campgrounds, and certain ranger programs require reservations.