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Grand Canyon National Park Commercial Tour Buses at Bright Angel Lodge
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Grand Canyon National Park
Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA)
 
NOTE: Fees for Backpacking, Day Hiking, Bicycle Tours, Equipment Rental and Delivery, and Tuweep CUAs will be $350 for permits beginning January 1, 2012.
The CUA fees are determined by a cost analysis in compliance with the 2005 Interim Guidelines for CUAs. This guidance authorizes the National Park Service to recover, at a minimum, associated management and administrative costs associated with CUAs.
 
A Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) is a permit that authorizes suitable commercial services for park visitors within Grand Canyon National Park. The term of a CUA may not exceed 2 years and no preferential right of renewal or similar provisions for renewal may be provided. Grand Canyon National Park authorizes a variety of commercial services.

Information on the CUA requirements can be downloaded below as PDF files:
 

CUA Requirements (Updated October 2011)

Commercial Transportation/Tour Operators (76kb PDF File)

Commercial Bicycle Tour Operators (47kb PDF File)

Commercial Day Hiking Operators
(52kb PDF File)

Commercial Overnight Backpacking Operators
(53kb PDF File)

Commercial Equipment Rental & Delivery (38kb PDF File)


 

CUA Application

Processing time for CUA permits can take four or more weeks depending on the time of year so please plan accordingly. All applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. Please submit all required documents in one application packet. Any incomplete applications will be placed on hold until all required documents are received. The following information must be submitted in an application packet:

  • A complete CUA Application Form.
    Commercial Use Application Form (42kb PDF File - Rev. Oct 10, 2011)

  • A Certificate of Insurance that meets both General and Automobile Liability Insurance requirements.

  • Day hiking, backpacking, and bicycling CUA applications will require the staff registration form for each guide and a copy of their Wilderness First Responder Certification (backpacking and day hiking) or 40 hour First Aid (bicycling) and CPR training.

  • Payment for the $350 permit fee must be enclosed with the application (this fee is waived for Transportation CUAs). The permit fee is based on an annual cost recovery analysis. All fees go to the processing and management of each permit. Payment can be made by either check or credit card (which is the preferred method). Credit card information must include the name on the card, card number, expiry date, security code, and billing address that is associated with the card.

Mail the complete application packet to:

Grand Canyon National Park
Attn: Concessions Office,
PO Box 129 (1 Village Loop Road)
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Faxed applications will be accepted but mail is preferred.
Fax application packets to 928-638-7701.

For questions regarding CUAs please contact The Concessions Management Office
at 928-638-7707 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time,
Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays or contact us by email.


 

Additional Forms for Commercial Users

Entrance Station Form: Commercial Tour Passenger Certification Form

In addition to the CUA, commercial operators must submit a Commercial Tour Passenger Certification Form upon entry to the park. This is NOT the permit, however, it is required upon entering the park, and at the time the entrance fee is paid. This form is signed by the driver or guide, who verifies that the entrance fee being paid is the correct fee for the vehicle size and number of seats or passengers on board. Failure to have this form completely filled out upon arrival at the Entrance Station could delay your access into the park.

Please print out the form, fill in all the blanks that will remain static, and reproduce the form as many times as necessary for your planned trips to the park. Do not return this form with your application.

Commercial Tour Passenger Certification Form (82kb PDF File)

 

 
Pre Authorized Debit Sign Up Form (PAD)

Companies that enter the park on a frequent basis, defined as four or more times per month averaged over twelve months, are required to sign up with the National Park Service for the Preauthorized Debit (PAD) Program and use exclusively the PAD program for the payment of entrance fees. The PAD payment system is a secure and efficient method of payment. Users will realize a faster transaction at the entrance station and drivers will be free from carrying cash, checks, or credit cards.

In order to sign up on PAD, complete the Pre Authorized Debit Sign Up Form and submit it to Grand Canyon National Park’s Budget Office. You may fax the completed form to 928-638-7810, then place the original in the mail ATTN: Budget Technician, so that we will have an original signature for our files. For more information about the PAD program please contact the Budget Office at 928-638-7727

Pre Authorized Debit Sign up Form (PAD) (57kb PDF File)

If you are running low on PAD Entrance forms you should contact the Fee Management Office at 928-638-7850. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the forms to be mailed.

 

Backcountry Camping Permits for Overnight Backpacking Operators

In addition to the CUA, Backpacking CUA holders are required to obtain all necessary backcountry camping permits from the Backcountry Information Center. Find more information about Backpacking Permits at Backcountry Permits

CUA Backcountry Permit Request Form (400kb PDF File)

 



Entrance Fees
for Commercial Vehicles

Entrance fees for tour operators are based on vehicle's seating capacity as follows:

  • 26+ seats -- $300; this fee is a flat rate per vehicle and not pro-rated for passengers who may be exempt from fees. No Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access and Grand Canyon Park Passes will be accepted and No exemptions for age.

  • 1-25 seats -- $8 per person. All Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access and Grand Canyon Park Passes will be accepted and those age 16 and under will be exempt from payment of fees.

Read more...
For questions about entrance fees please contact the Fee Management Office at 928-638-7604



 
 

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HIKERS IN GRAND CANYON

Did You Know?
Mental attitude, adequate water and food consumption are absolutely essential to the success of any Grand Canyon hike. The day hiker and the overnight backpacker must be prepared for the lack of water, extreme heat and cold, and the isolation characteristic of the Grand Canyon.
more...

Last Updated: October 13, 2011 at 13:00 MST