Last updated: August 30, 2026

Trump Administration Considers Yosemite Land Swap with Private Developer

Federal officials are weighing an unprecedented proposal to hand over a parcel of land inside Yosemite National Park to a private real estate developer seeking direct road access for a planned commercial project. The proposed transaction between the National Park Service and Nevada-based Kingsbarn Realty Capital has triggered fierce backlash from conservation groups, park employees, and lawmakers who argue the move threatens public lands protections. For millions of Americans who visit and cherish the national park system, the negotiations mark a sharp departure from more than a century of conservation policy.

The Story at a Glance

Under the proposed arrangement, the National Park Service would cede a strip of park land—measuring roughly a quarter-mile to under a mile—or grant an easement to Kingsbarn Realty Capital. In exchange, the developer would acquire and transfer a parcel of equal financial value elsewhere in California to the federal government. Kingsbarn owns an undeveloped 83-acre tract known historically as Hazel Green Ranch, located immediately along Yosemite's western border. Without a cut-through road across park property, reaching the property requires a circuitous 25-mile drive over existing public routes. The developer intends to build homes and retail facilities on the site, and the direct park connection would significantly enhance the commercial accessibility and value of the planned resort village.

How the Story Developed

The push to carve a private roadway into Yosemite has spanned more than two decades, repeatedly meeting regulatory and legal roadblocks until recent administration shifts opened fresh talks.

The property's previous owner, California developer Lewis Geyser, spent years petitioning both the Bush and Obama administrations for permission to construct an access road through park territory. After federal agencies repeatedly denied the requests, Geyser sued the government in 2007 to force an easement. Federal courts dismissed the claims, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that dismissal in 2012, ruling that the federal government was not obligated to permit a new corridor when an existing Forest Service route was already in place.

Kingsbarn purchased the property for $4 million in February 2024, marketing the project as the "Sanctuary at Yosemite." The company quickly approached the Department of the Interior to renew talks over park access. Discussions intensified in the spring of 2025 under Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, leading to regular strategy meetings between park agency staff and company representatives to structure a formal land exchange.

Key People and Details

Several prominent figures, agencies, and legal representatives are involved in the unfolding negotiations:

• Kingsbarn Realty Capital & Jeff Pori: Led by CEO Jeff Pori, the Nevada investment firm is seeking private vehicular access to develop its 83-acre holding. Campaign finance records show Pori made regular contributions to Republican fundraising committees and President Donald Trump's campaign committee between 2024 and 2025.
• Lanny Davis: An attorney representing Kingsbarn and former special counsel to President Bill Clinton, Davis has met with Interior officials. He contends the road proposal would shorten driving times and curb vehicle emissions.
• Department of the Interior & Doug Burgum: Overseeing the National Park Service, Interior leadership has directed agency personnel to explore the land exchange mechanism.
• Ray McPadden: The current superintendent of Yosemite National Park, tasked with coordinating the ongoing land appraisal and administrative review processes.
• Cicely Muldoon: Former Yosemite superintendent who retired in early 2025 after four decades with the agency, having previously rebuffed attempts to reopen the Hazel Green access issue.

Our basic purpose in the national parks is to preserve these places unimpaired for future generations, not letting go of that for the purpose of private profit.

Reaction and Response

The disclosure of the negotiations generated immediate condemnation from park staff, environmental organizations, and elected officials across California.

The union representing Yosemite staff, the Yosemite Leadership of National Federation of Federal Employees Local 465, stated that relinquishing public parkland for commercial purposes violates their core mission and expressed deep concern over the operational strain on park staff. Conservation groups, including the Sierra Club and the National Parks Conservation Association, promised immediate legal challenges if the administration executes the swap.

This is sending the signal that any piece of land in our national parks is for sale.

California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the initiative on social media, while Representative Jared Huffman, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, warned of dangerous precedents for public lands nationwide. California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff both announced strict opposition, noting that courts previously rejected developer access on the exact same parcel.

The Department of the Interior responded to the reporting by stating that no final decision has been executed. Agency spokesperson Aubrie Spady said that any proposed exchange remains subject to standard departmental regulations, formal environmental reviews, and public comment requirements under federal law.

What to Watch

Federal appraisers are evaluating the monetary value of the Yosemite parcel, a complex procedure that will dictate what land Kingsbarn must buy elsewhere to satisfy statutory requirements. Lawmakers in Congress have begun reviewing oversight mechanisms, while environmental legal coalitions prepare lawsuits challenging the agency's authority to grant rights-of-way that contradict previous federal court rulings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed Yosemite land swap?

The National Park Service is exploring a deal to trade a quarter-mile strip of park land to Kingsbarn Realty Capital for an access road, in return for developer-purchased land of equal financial value elsewhere in California.

Why does the developer want land inside Yosemite?

Kingsbarn owns the 83-acre Hazel Green Ranch property adjacent to the park and wants a direct road to shorten travel times to central Yosemite attractions for a planned housing and retail development.

Have courts ruled on this roadway before?

Yes. A previous property owner sued for access rights, and the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in 2012 that the government was not legally required to grant an easement across Yosemite.

Can the public comment on the proposal?

The Department of the Interior has stated that any formal land swap proposal must follow federal administrative procedures, including required environmental reviews and public notification periods before final approval.