The establishment of a park can create many business opportunities. Private businesses provide certain visitor services.

In 1998, Congress enacted the National Park Service Concessions Mangement Act of 1998, which sets forth the parameters under which the National Park Service authorizes park concession operations. It requires that development "...be limited to those that are necessary and appropriate for public use and enjoyment..." of the national park area in which they are located "... and that are consistent to the highest practicable degree with the preservation and conservation of the areas..."