Commercial Use Authorization Specific Conditions – Guided Off-Road Vehicle Tour Service (Designated Routes Only)

The Permittee and their employees registered under this Permit will only provide Land Based ORV Tour Services over designated paved/unpaved roads as shown on current ORV Map, available at Off-Road Vehicles - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

General Provisions:

1. When conducting business within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA), the Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Holder and/or employees must carry either a paper or digital copy of the fully executed CUA. 

2. The CUA must be shown to any National Park Service (NPS) personnel, upon request.

3. Visitors/Clients are required to pay the Recreation Entrance Fee and applicable use fees when entering GLCA through an entrance fee station, or an automated fee machine or online via Recreation.gov.

4. A CUA does not authorize the permittee to advertise, solicit business, collect any fees, or sell any goods or services on park lands.

5. Use of a CUA permit to gain access to the recreation area for recreation purposes is a violation of the CUA conditions. 

6. Use of a recreation pass or recreation entry receipt for the purpose of entering the recreation area to conduct business is prohibited.

Specific Conditions:

1. The Permittee, or registered employee(s), trip leader(s), guide(s), operator(s), or representative(s) of the business will maintain the required continuous presence with the visitors/clients from the moment of entering the boundaries of the recreation area until the moment of exiting the boundaries of the recreation area.

2. All land tour services are to be conducted using only registered and street legal passenger carrying vehicle(s) such as all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility terrain vehicles (UTV) and ORVs.

3. The Permittee and their employees registered under this Permit will only provide Land Based ORV Tour Services in the park only on NPS designated ORV routes and areas as shown on current ORV route maps.

4. Tours are limited to a maximum of twelve (12) ORV’s, including a support vehicle.

5. Overnight tours are authorized as specified below.

6. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended on backcountry roads.

7. This permit is for Guided ORV vehicle Tours only. Hiking beyond 1 mile from any designated open road requires a Guided Hiking Tour CUA permit.

8. Motor vehicles must always be equipped with noise-suppression devices, including an exhaust muffler in good working order in in constant operation.

9. Street-legal ATVs are prohibited on the Lees Ferry Access Road (AZ) and other paved roads in the Lees Ferry developed area.

10. All motor vehicles operating at Lone Rock Beach Play Area must display a solid red or orange safety flag that  is a minimum of six by 12 inches in size and that is attached to either an ORV at least 8 feet above the ground or a protective headgear at least 18 inches above the top of the operator’s head.

11. The permittee must comply with the GLCA Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, 36 CFR Part 7, and 36 CFR Part 4.2

12. Travel Responsibly on land by staying on designated roads, trails and area. Go over, not around, obstacles to avoid widening the trails. Cross streams only at designated fords.  When possible, avoid wet, muddy trails.

13. Respect the rights of other including private property owners, all recreational trial users, campers and others.  Leave gates as you found them. Yield right of way to those passing you or going uphill.

14. Educate yourself prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies. Plan for your trip, take recreation skills classes and know how to operate your equipment safely.

15. Avoid sensitive areas on land such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams.  Stay on designated routes.  This protects wildlife habitats and sensitive soils from damage.  Do not disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites.

16. Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, repairing degraded areas. 

Safety Notice: Permittee shall make available to all trip participants a general safety notice addressing all aspects of ORV tour and traveling safety. Guides should remind participants that heatstroke is a real danger in the desert. Participants should be advised to drink lots of water, eat snacks, and wear hats and sunscreen to minimize sun exposure. The safety notice shall also inform trip participants of emergency plans, procedures and availability of emergency equipment. The NPS reserves the right to review safety information.

Use of Area: Subject to temporary closures, check website for most updated information about authorized off-road vehicle travel.

1. Eight areas [Blue Notch, Bullfrog North and South, Crosby Canyon, Dirty Devil, Farley Canyon, Red Canyon, Stanton Creek, and White Canyon] would be authorized for use by conventional vehicles year-round and open to street-legal ATVs March 2 through October 31. (Closed to street-legal ATVs November 1-March 1 for protection of birds.)

2. Four additional areas [Copper Canyon, Neskahi, Paiute Canyon, and Hite Boat Ramp] would be authorized for year-round access by all street- legal vehicles.

3. Two new shoreline areas (Nokai Canyon and Paiute Farms) would be opened for year-round access by all street- legal vehicles for a total of 14 accessible shorelines.

4. NPS would designate vehicle-free zones at Bullfrog North and South and Stanton Creek during high-use seasons to provide a safe camping area.

5. NPS would designate a vehicle-free zone at Lone Rock Beach during high-use seasons to provide a safe camping area.

6.  NPS designated 21 miles of currently unauthorized, social tracks as official ORV Routes. These new ORV Routes maintain connections with adjacent BLM lands. The remaining social tracks will be closed to protect resources, such as archaeological sites and threatened and endangered species.

Navajo Tribal Trust Land:  The GLCA CUA permit does not authorize business operations on Navajo trust land without proper authorization from the Navajo Nation. All CUA permit holders who want to operate at Antelope Point must incorporate Navajo hiring preference (15 N.N.C. § 601 et seq.) into their business practices and must register and remain in good standing with the Navajo Nation Business Regulatory Department Corporations Office (5 N.N.C. § 3101 et seq.) (www.navajoeconomy.org or (928) 871-6714). If any operations of this business are conducted on Navajo trust land, the CUA holder must also register and file a return with the Office of the Navajo Tax Commission (24 N.N.C. § 602) (www.tax.navajo-nsn.gov or (928) 871-6681). All new CUA holders should ask staff to confirm whether their business will be performed on Navajo trust land to facilitate reporting. 

Employee Registration: The Permittee is required to submit an Employee Registration Form to register each employee working under this Permit. The Form must be uploaded to the online CUA system.

Certification/License Requirement: The Permittee and guide(s) registered under this Permit are required to possess current certifications for the following: Upload items number 1-3 to the online system.

1. Basic first aid certification and CPR certification (adult and child).

2. Wilderness First Responder and/or Wilderness First Aid and/or First Responder.

3. Food Handlers certification for each employee preparing, handling and/or providing to the visitors/clients any food items of a perishable nature. 

   1. Food service will be provided in accordance with current U.S. Public Health Service Food Code. Food service is subject to inspection by the NPS Public Health Inspector.

   2. Any food items provided by the Permittee to the visitors/clients will only originate from an approved source (i.e., supermarket, grocery store, etc.).

   3. Alcohol must not be provided.

4. If providing transportation for visitors/clients within the boundaries of the recreation area, the Permittee will ensure all employees under this Permit performing services as drivers hold a Class C commercial driver’s license as required by Arizona Department of Transportation regulations.

Vehicle/Trailer Registration:  The Permittee is required to register vehicle(s), and/or trailer to be used under the CUA. List vehicles online or upload a Vehicle/Vessel/Equipment Registration Form.  If using the Form, request a Form from the CUA office at glca_cua@nps.gov. 

1. Vehicles and trailers will display a current registered CUA sticker affixed where it is easily identified by the fee booth and/or seen by passing vehicles and/or vessels.  When facing the equipment, the decal must be visible on the bottom right side of the front windshield of a vehicle, or right front tongue of a trailer, or port side of a vessel.

2. Vehicles and Trailer will have current insurance, registration, licensing, and inspection in accordance with state law.  Equipment must be in good working order.
3. Proof of insurance is required; Vehicles/Trailers may be listed on the Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate, or upload insurance cards through the online portal.

CUA Company Identification: For authorized CUAs to be easily identified while operating within the recreation area, the company logo must be displayed as follows:

1. All permit holder(s) and employees registered under this permit will visibly wear an identifiable CUA holder’s company logo or name on a shirt, hat, etc.  The authorized company name must be the prominent logo displayed.

2. Vehicles and vessels used to provide services in the recreation area are required to be easily identifiable by signage and will comply with the established guidelines listed below:

   1. Signage may not state, imply, or refer to pricing, services, and/or products provided.

   2. Identification is limited to company name, logo, and telephone number and/or as required by state and/or federal motor carrier regulations.

   3. Minimum size of lettering:  2½ inch.

   4. Signage must be professionally applied. Use of hand applied, self-adhesive lettering such as commercially available for houses and/or mailboxes, or non-professional hand painted lettering is not acceptable.

   5. Signage should be located centered on the front door of the vehicle and centered on the side of the vessel.

   6. Signage should be limited to two signs, one per side, tastefully and professionally appropriate to the size and type of vehicle/vessel.

   7. Large (generally considered over 3 tons Gross Vehicle Weight) panel-type trucks may also have signage located centered on the side-panels, one per panel.

NOTE:  Any other Commercial notices or advertisements shall not be displayed, posted, or distributed on federally owned or controlled lands within a park area. 

Overnight Stay:  The Permittee and employees registered under this Permit are authorized overnight stays upon approval of submitted Trip Itinerary. Subject to the following restrictions:

1. A complete trip itinerary must be submitted at a minimum of two (2) business days prior to each trip. 

2. Camping is only authorized as described in the Superintendent’s Compendium for GLCA.

3. Trips are limited to 14 days.

4. Camping is prohibited on or within any archeological site.

5. Campsite stays are limited to 5 consecutive days per campsite.

6. Permanent base camps are not authorized.

7. Consecutive use of campsites between trips (i.e., back-to-back trips) is not authorized.

8. Detailed maps with campsites delineated. Upload map(s) to the online CUA system.

Operation Plan: The Permittee is required to submit an Operation Plan summarizing the operations to be conducted, routes to be taken, products used/provided, safety plan of action, and methods of operation employed to prevent pollution and to reduce waste through source reduction and recycling. The operation plan is reviewed and approved/disapproved by the NPS. The operation plan will specifically include:

1. Detailed maps with routes and campsites delineated. 

2. Safety plan of action the Permittee will implement in the event of accident or injury.

Emergency Response:  All emergency situations such as accidents, fires, and search and rescues will be reported to GLCA National Recreation Area Dispatch by phone at 9-1-1. 

1. Helicopter evacuation or other emergency or special operation will be arranged and directed by the NPS.

2. The financial responsibility for emergency or special operations will be either the permittee, or visitor/client depending on the situation.

Change of Business Status:  The Permittee is required to notify the NPS, in writing of any change in business status (i.e., dissolution, changes in partnership, business name, address, telephone number, mailing address, type of corporation, etc.) as far in advance as possible, but no more than 15 days after any change.  The notification must be submitted to glca_cua@nps.gov. 

NPS Arrowhead or Authorized Concessioner Mark: CUA Holders are not authorized to use the NPS arrowhead or authorized Concessioner Mark. 

Share and Educate: Ensure that all who are registered under this Permit are aware of the following unauthorized activities:

1. Operating a motor vehicle that emits more than 96 decibels of sound.

2. Operating a motor vehicle within a posted “vehicle-free” zone.

3. Operating an ORV under the age of 18 without a helmet.

4. Operating within a designated off-road motor vehicle area during quiet hours.

5. Operating a generator or audio device, within a designated off-road motor vehicle area during quiet hours.

6. Creating or sustaining unreasonable noise.

7. Operating a motor vehicle in excess of 15 mph (unless otherwise posted) at the following off-road motor vehicle locations-Lone Rock Beach, Blue Notch, Bullfrog North and South, Copper Canyon, Crosby Canyon Dirty Devil, Farley Canyon, Hite Boat Ramp, Neshahi, Mokai Canyon, Paiute Canyon, Paiute Farms, Red Canyon, Stanton Creek, and White Canyon.

8. Operating a motor vehicle in excess of 25 mph (unless otherwise posted) on unpaved GMP roads and on off-road motor vehicle routes in Ferry Swale, Middle Moody Canyon Trailhead, East Gypsum Canyon Overlook, Imperial Valley, and Gunsight Springs Trailhead.

9. Moving or re-arranging surface rocks or rock formations.

10. Marking trails by flagging or by  use of marking paint of any kind, by any means.

11. Attaching anything to any NPS facility, structure, rock, or vegetation, or  cover or remove signs, fences, posts, etc. Permittee shall not dig, scrape, or remove natural features.

12. Pets of any kind on guided tours.

13. Filming and Still Photography by the Permittee, client, or visitor for commercial purposes. This may require a Special Use Permit (SUP), contact the SUP Coordinator or at glca_sup@nps.gov for more information.

14. Any services of any kind in any other locations within the recreation area outside those services specifically authorized under this permit.

15. Storing business supplies, material, vehicles, ORVs within the recreation area.

Superintendents Compendium - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 54 United States Code, Section 100751, the following regulatory provisions are established for the proper management, protection, and public use of those portions of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA) and Rainbow Bridge National Monument (NM) under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS). This document is the written compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions imposed under the discretionary authority of the Superintendent, as required by 36 CFR 1.7(b). Violating any provision in this Compendium may result in criminal penalties under 36 CFR 1.3.

NON-COMPLIANCE:  In the Event of a Permittee Violation, the Superintendent, at his or her discretion, may take actions to immediately suspend, restrict or revoke a CUA or deny a future CUA application, as defined in the GLCA COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATION SUSPENSION, RESTRICTION, REVOCATION AND APPLICATION DENIAL POLICY. 

Commercial General Liability Insurance

Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance: List on COI Certificate or upload insurance cards.

Operation Plan

Employee Registration Form

Guide Certifications:  1st Aid, CPR and one of the following, Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and/or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and/or First Responder

Trip Itinerary, if providing overnight trips

Food Handler's Permit, if preparing hot meals

The management fee for this CUA is a market price fee based on a percentage of your revenue earned from in-park or park-dependent operations. The fee is not based on your overall revenue or on revenue earned from services not authorized by the CUA that do not occur in-park or are park-dependent. The NPS defines park-dependent operations as those commercial activities that are packaged and sold, marketed to include, or coincidentally include, entry into the park boundaries for part or all of the activity duration.

• Less than $250,000 earned from park-based operations - 3% of gross receipts (minus application fee).  

• $250,000 to $500,000 earned from park-based operations - 4% of gross receipts.  

• More than $500,000 earned from park-based operations - 5% of gross receipts.