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Commercial Use Authorizations

Providing Visitor Services Through CUAs

A commercial use authorization (CUA) allows you to conduct commercial activities within areas managed by the National Park Service. A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, or services for park visitors that take place at least in park on lands managed by the NPS; use park resources; and result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you.

What is a CUA?

A commercial use authorization (CUA) allows an individual, group, company, or other for-profit entity to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park unit. The National Park Service (NPS) issues CUAs to manage a wide-range of commercial visitor services.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial does not issue CUAs for road-based commercial tours operating within the park. This policy varies throughout the National Park Service. Please check with individual park units for specific CUA requirements.

Federal law mandates the NPS issue CUAs only for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of the park,
• will have minimal impact on park resources and values, and
• are consistent with the park purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

Why does the National Park Service require CUAs?

The requirement is in 36 CFR 5.3 - It is illegal to conduct business in a park area without a permit, contract, or other written agreement. Additionally, Public Law 105-391 Section 418, passed in 1998, provides NPS the authority to issue CUAs to allow business operations and requires NPS to collect a reasonable fee for CUA administration and management.

Do I need a CUA?

You may not conduct commercial activities in a park unit without a valid CUA.

A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part on lands managed by the National Park Service,
• use park resources, and
• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

More information about the NPS providing visitor services through CUAs can be found on the National Park Service website.

How to Apply:

Mount Rushmore National Memorial began accepting CUA applications through an online system starting on January 1, 2025.

The online system includes a standard CUA application fee. For the 2025 CUA season, the standard CUA application fee across all national parks will be $350 for the first application submitted by the applicant and $250 for subsequent applications from the same applicant to the same park. Application fees will be collected through the system upon application submission.

Mount Rushmore CUA Fee Schedule (effective June 1, 2021)

For any additional questions or comments, please contact the parks CUA Coordindator via email.