The National Park Service (NPS) is reportedly working on a land exchange proposal that could involve transferring a portion of Yosemite National Park to a private developer, according to sources familiar with the discussions and agency documents. This initiative, which has been under consideration since the spring of 2025, stems from a directive from officials in the Trump administration. The proposal involves ceding a quarter-mile strip of land within Yosemite to Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a Nevada-based real estate development firm. In exchange, the NPS would receive land of equal value elsewhere in California, though the specific location has not yet been determined.
Kingsbarn Realty Capital currently owns an 83-acre parcel adjacent to Yosemite, located approximately five miles from a significant sequoia grove. The company's CEO, Jeff Pori, has expressed interest in constructing a road that would connect this property to a main thoroughfare within the park, thereby providing private access to an area that is otherwise largely surrounded by national forests. Currently, the access road to the property is over 10 miles from the nearest park entrance, making it difficult for potential visitors to reach popular sites within Yosemite Valley without a lengthy detour.
The planning process has reportedly created tension within the NPS, as the proposal has the backing of senior officials from the Interior Department. Sources indicate that there is significant political pressure to accommodate the interests of the property owner and their representatives. This situation has been described as unusual for the agency, which has historically focused on expanding national parks rather than relinquishing land.
Cicely Muldoon, a former superintendent of Yosemite and a veteran of the NPS, emphasized the importance of preserving national parks for future generations, stating that their purpose is to maintain these areas unimpaired, rather than allowing private profit to dictate their management. The proposal also contradicts commitments made by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during his confirmation hearing, where he pledged to protect every inch of national parks.
In a statement, the NPS noted that no final decisions have been made regarding the land exchange and that any proposals would adhere to federal laws and regulations, including environmental reviews and public notification processes. Kingsbarn Realty Capital did not respond to requests for comment regarding the proposal. The land in question, previously known as Hazel Green Ranch, was purchased by Kingsbarn for $4 million in 2024. The previous owner, Lewis Geyser, had attempted to develop the land for years, facing repeated rejections from the NPS and legal challenges that upheld the agency's decisions against private road construction in Yosemite.