Commercial Use Permit

Commercial recreation providers are those businesses that conduct their recreational business activities on or through state park lands. Washington State Parks has a variety of commercial recreation providers including: tour groups, kayak adventures, bicycle tours, mountain climbing expeditions, day camps and more. In addition, those businesses that deliver recreational rentals are also considered commercial use. Each business is required to register and possess a Commercial Use Permit in order to engage in commercial recreational use of state parks.

Registration for Commercial Use Permit requires completion of the application, proof of insurance, and paying the appropriate fees. For more information or questions that are not shown on this page, call (360) 902-8593 or email the permit office.

APPLICATION AND USAGE FEES

$50 annual application fee is required for all businesses (non-refundable).

For profit businesses pay a use fee of $2 per person/per day/per park. Non-profit businesses pay $1 per person/per day/per park. This also applies to your staff. Usage fees are paid at the end of your season. In the fall, you will be sent a reminder to pay your usage fees and provide a usage report. To keep track of your use throughout the season, here is a link to the Usage Report.

APPLYING FOR THE PERMIT

To apply and receive a commercial use permit for Washington State Parks:

  1. Fill out, print, sign and date the Registration/Permit Application (PDF).
  2. Include itineraries, schedules and maps of the locations you plan to use. 
  3. Non-profit groups, must send in proof of non-profit status
  4. Include your certificate of insurance (COI) which lists Washington State Parks as the certificate holder. We require $1,000,000 in liability with a general aggregate of $2,000,000.  
  5. Return the application, supporting documents, COI, and application fee to: Washington State Parks, P.O. Box 42650 Olympia, WA 98504-2650.
  6. Please allow up to 30 days for processing. If your application submission is missing any of the required documents, processing will take longer than 30 days.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

  • A Discover Pass is required for all vehicles parking within park property. The CUP does not cover your parking.
  • Other permits may be required, depending on your activity such as the boat launch permit or Sno-Park permit.
  • The Commercial Use Permit is good for for one calendar year (January 1 - December 31).