The Opportunity Board — Edition 6 (June 17, 2026)
Your bi-weekly roundup of concession bids, RFPs, permits, jobs, and certifications for outdoor recreation business operators. Published by Adventure Business Pro.
Deadline Alert
Seven active opportunities with deadlines in the next 90 days — three closing within two weeks. If you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time.
Channel Islands National Park — Guided Water Tours, Retail & Snorkel Rentals (CHIS004-27)
Location: Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, CA
Contract: 10-year concession for guided kayak tours, limited retail (sunscreen, etc.), and snorkel equipment rentals. Optional snorkeling instruction and guide service.
Projected Revenue: $3.03M–$3.35M in Year 1
Investment Required: $715,000 (personal property, working capital, start-up costs, inventory)
Franchise Fee: Minimum 15.6% of gross revenues
Full Proposal Due: June 25, 2026, by 12:00 p.m. PT — 8 DAYS
Details: NPS Concessions — CHIS004-27
NEW — Ozark National Scenic Riverways — Canoe & Tube Rental with Shuttle (OZAR012-27)
Location: Akers Ferry District, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, MO
Contract: 10-year NPS concession for canoe and tube rental with shuttle service, camp store, and firewood sales
Note: A preferred offeror has been identified for this contract. If you believe you can offer superior service or terms, you can still submit a proposal.
Proposal Due: June 26, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. CDT — 9 DAYS
Contact: Eric Nikkel, NPS Commercial Services, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, NE 68102
Details: NPS Concessions — Prospectus Releases
Sarasota County — Turtle Beach Glamping Concession
Location: Turtle Beach Park, Siesta Key, Sarasota County, FL
Contract: Glamping concession opportunity at one of Sarasota County’s premier beach parks
Proposal Due: June 29, 2026 — 12 DAYS
Details: OpenGov Procurement — Sarasota County
NEW — Olympic National Forest — Request for Expressed Interest (RFEI)
Location: Olympic National Forest, WA
Scope: Historic cabin rental sites (Hamma Hamma, Interrorem, Louella Guard Station) and Quinault area campgrounds/facilities
What This Is: The Forest Service is gauging operator interest before issuing a full prospectus. Submitting an RFEI response doesn’t commit you to anything — it gets you on the radar and signals demand, which helps the FS decide whether to move forward.
Response Due: July 1, 2026 — 14 DAYS
Details: USFS Special Uses
California — San Clemente State Beach Restaurant & Catering (20-Year Contract)
Location: Lower Calafia area, San Clemente State Beach, CA
Contract: 20-year concession for restaurant and catering services
Proposals Due: July 2, 2026, by 2:00 p.m. — 15 DAYS
Submit To: California Department of Parks and Recreation, 715 P Street, 13th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
RFP Available: Cal eProcure
Details: CA State Parks News Release
California — Sonoma State Historic Park Event Space & Lodging (50-Year Contract)
Location: Blue Wing Inn, Sonoma State Historic Park, Sonoma, CA
Contract: 50-year concession for the operation and development of historic-style event space and lodging services
Proposals Due: September 15, 2026, by 2:00 p.m.
Submit To: California State Parks, 715 P Street, 13th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact: Sasha Tokas, Concession Program Manager — [email protected]
Details: CA State Parks News Release
NEW — California — Folsom Lake SRA Food Service & Beach Equipment Rentals (10-Year Contract)
Location: Beals Point, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, CA
Contract: 10-year concession for food service and beach equipment rentals
Mandatory Facility Tour: July 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Beals Point Concession Facility, followed by mandatory pre-proposal meeting at Granite Bay Activity Center (8000 Douglas Blvd, Granite Bay, CA 95746)
Proposals Due: September 16, 2026, by 2:00 p.m.
Submit To: Department of Parks and Recreation, 715 P Street, 13th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
Contact: Frances De Guzman, Concession Project Manager — [email protected]
Details: CA State Parks News Release
Closed Since Edition 5
These opportunities from the last edition have closed:
- Connecticut — Lake Waramaug State Park — Proposals closed May 22, 2026
- California — Old Town San Diego State Historic Park — Proposals closed June 5, 2026
Regulatory Updates
BLM Streamlines Special Recreation Permits Under EXPLORE Act
Effective February 2, 2026, the Bureau of Land Management rolled out updated Special Recreation Permit (SRP) categories under Title III of the EXPLORE Act. The changes reduce administrative barriers and streamline permit processing for outfitters, guides, campground operators, and glamping businesses on federal lands. Applications are now processed through the RAPTOR system.
More info: BLM Special Recreation Permits | BLM Blog Post
Oregon Waterway Access Permit — Now Required for All Non-Motorized Boats
As of 2026, Oregon requires a Waterway Access Permit for all non-motorized boats — including SUPs, kayaks, rafts, and inflatable versions. Cost: $20/year or $35/2-year. Outfitters and guides operating on federally designated stretches with BLM/USFS permits may be exempt, but all rented boats must display the business name.
Details: Oregon State Marine Board
NPS Contract Extensions — Watch List
The National Park Service has announced intent to extend existing concession contracts at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (TN/KY) and Fire Island National Seashore (NY). Extensions prevent interruption of visitor services while new contracts are developed — which means upcoming prospectus releases at both parks. Keep an eye on the NPS Prospectus Releases page.
Rolling / Ongoing Programs
- NPS Concession Prospectuses — Updated projections with releases planned through September 30, 2027. Full list
- BLM Special Recreation Permits — Apply via RAPTOR. Contact your local BLM field office for 2026 windows. Moab Field Office dates
- USFS Special Use Permits — Outfitter/guide permits for National Forest lands. Application info
- California State Parks Future Concessions — Upcoming opportunities across CA parks. Future Concession Opportunities
On the Radar
Coming Soon — Florida NPS Concession Contracts
The NPS Commercial Services Program has two Florida contracts projected for prospectus release this quarter. These haven’t been posted yet, but could drop any day — watch the NPS Prospectus Releases page.
- Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS001) — Passenger Ferry, Food & Beverage, and Equipment Rental services. 2024 gross receipts: $2.5M. Located in Pensacola, FL and Ocean Springs, MS. Projected Q2 2026 release.
- Everglades National Park (EVER004) — Tram Tours, Bicycle Rental, Retail, Vending, and Bicycle/Hiker Pickup Service. 2024 gross receipts: $3.25M. Projected Q2 2026 release.
Coming Soon — Other NPS Contracts (Q3–Q4 2026)
- Glacier Bay National Park — Kayak Rental Services. Projected Q3 2026.
- Assateague Island National Seashore — Rental and Food & Beverage. 2024 gross receipts: $801K. Projected Q3 2026.
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — Marina. Projected Q3 2026.
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Retail and Food & Beverage. Projected Q3 2026.
- Bryce Canyon National Park — Lodging, Food & Beverage, Retail. 2024 gross receipts: $11.6M. Projected Q4 2026.
- Zion National Park — Guided Horseback Rides. Projected Q4 2026.
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area — Water Tubing and Retail. 2024 gross receipts: $411K. Atlanta, GA. Projected Q4 2026.
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways (OZAR015) — Overnight accommodations, Food & Beverage, Retail. A second Ozark contract. Projected Q4 2026.
Full NPS projections through 9/30/2027: Download PDF
Industry & Regulatory
- Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) 2026 — Prospective Owners Workshop for campground/glamping/RV park operators. Details
- Shenandoah National Park — New 15-year concession contract takes effect January 1, 2027. Concession fees will add $2.5M+ annually — a benchmark for operators evaluating NPS contract scale.
- ACA River Kayak Instructor Changes — Effective October 1, 2026, new instructor candidates in the River Kayak Discipline will enter at Level 3 and must complete the ACA River Kayak Skills Award before admission to an IDW or ICE. Details
Job Opportunities
- Door County Kayak Tours (Sturgeon Bay, WI) — Seasonal kayak guides, May–September. One of Wisconsin’s top paddling destinations. Apply
- Sea Quest Kayak Tours (San Juan Island, WA) — Experienced kayak guides, $250+/day. Multi-day expedition guiding in the San Juan Islands. Apply
- San Juan Kayak Expeditions (San Juan Island, WA) — Kayak guides for day and multi-day tours in the Pacific Northwest. Apply
- CoolWorks Summer 2026 — River guides, zip line guides, and horseback tour guides at Glacier National Park and more. Browse positions
- NPS Seasonal Positions — $19.52–$31.43/hr across multiple parks. Applications often cap at 200 and close fast. USAJOBS
More outdoor job boards:
Occupation Wild | Conservation Job Board | CoolWorks | Adventure Job Board
Certifications & Training
ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) — SUP & Surf Instructor Certifications
ASI is the leading global organization for surfing, SUP, and bodyboarding instructor certification. Whether you’re launching a paddleboard tour business, adding SUP lessons to your outfitter services, or building credentials for a national park concession bid, ASI certification gives you internationally recognized qualifications.
- ASI Level 1 SUP Instructor (Enclosed Flat Water) — Foundation certification for teaching and guiding paddle sessions on inland waters.
- ASI Level 2 SUP Instructor (Exposed Waters) — For coastal and open-water instruction. Requires Level 1 + SUP Wise + ASI SUP Rescue.
- ASI SUP Fitness Instructor — Certification to teach SUP fitness classes.
- ASI SUP Tour Guide — Specialized certification for guiding SUP tours.
- ASI Level 1 Surfing Instructor — Entry-level certification for teaching surfing.
Courses are offered through authorized Instructor Training Centres (ITCs) worldwide, including locations in the US, Australia, UK, and Bali.
Find upcoming courses: ASI Course Search | Learn more: How to Become an ASI SUP Instructor
ACA (American Canoe Association) — Paddlesports Instructor Certification
ACA Kayak Instructor — IDW and ICE courses offered through providers nationwide. Note: New river kayak prerequisite changes take effect October 1, 2026. Become an Instructor
NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
- August 25–26, 2026 — Hailey, ID via Idaho Rescue Training. Register
2-day hands-on course covering patient assessment, first aid treatments, and evacuation decisions. Certification valid for 2 years. Required by many outfitter/guide operations and NPS concessioners.
Find more dates: NOLS Wilderness Medicine Coursefinder
Have a tip for The Opportunity Board? Know of a concession bid, permit, or certification we should feature? Email us at [email protected].
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