Objectives Since the promulgation of the National Park Law of the People's Republic of China, the introduction and implementation of the concept of “commercial services” (i.e., services provided by enterprises and institutions for profit-making purposes, utilizing specific venues, equipment, and tools) have drawn significant attention. As a vital component of public service functions of national parks, how to admit, evaluate and manage commercial services has become pivotal for regulating related service activities, coordinating the relationship between ecological conservation and utilization, and achieving the goals of universal public welfare and sustainable development in national parks. Therefore, this study aims to systematically construct a scientific and operational admission assessment indicator system for the entry of commercial ecotourism services in national parks, providing a basis for the admission decision-making, operational monitoring, and evaluation management.

Methods The study systematically reviewed the current policy landscape and practical explorations of concession management in China's national parks, identifying the main existing challenges and management needs. Based on the stakeholder theory, drawing on international standards for sustainable tourism destinations as well as advanced management experiences from countries such as the United States, Australia, and France, and adopting the expert scoring method, an evaluation indicator system framework was constructed covering criterion layers—institution, ecological environment, cultural, economy, and society.

Results An admission assessment indicator system for commercial ecotourism services in national parks was developed, comprising 5 criterion layers, 13 element layers, and 40 specific indicators. This system not only addressed environmental impacts of the services but also comprehensively considered their institutional compliance, operational standardization, service quality, and community sharing benefits, reflecting a whole-process and multi-dimensional management approach.

Conclusions The developed indicator system combines systematicity with specificity. It responds to the top-level design requirements for national park management while integrating internationally advanced resource management concepts. This system provides practical management and technical tools for national park authorities to conduct the admission, evaluation, and optimization of commercial services. It offers practical support for implementing relevant laws, policies, and plans, holding significant importance for advancing the modernization of China's national park governance system.