Trump Administration Considers Yosemite Land Swap for Private Developer's Access Road

The Trump administration is reportedly evaluating a land exchange that could involve a portion of Yosemite National Park. The proposed deal would grant a private developer an access road to the park.

The Interior Department and legal representatives for the company, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, have confirmed discussions. According to Lanny Davis, an attorney for Kingsbarn, the Nevada-based developer is in talks with the National Park Service about a land swap to construct an access road, less than a mile long, connecting to Yosemite's entrance.

Kingsbarn owns an 83-acre property, historically known as Hazel Green Ranch, situated near Yosemite's western border. As part of the proposed transaction, Kingsbarn would acquire land of equivalent value elsewhere in California and transfer it to the park service. This information comes from documents obtained by NOTUS, which initially reported on the matter.

A spokesperson for the Interior Department stated that no definitive decision has been made. They emphasized that any land exchange or access proposal affecting National Park Service lands would undergo rigorous review, including all relevant federal laws, regulations, environmental assessments, and public notification processes.

The spokesperson assured that if the proposal moves forward, the department will adhere to established procedures to ensure transparency and public engagement in accordance with federal law.

Kingsbarn's attorney, Lanny Davis, presented the proposal as environmentally beneficial, arguing that a shorter access route would decrease driving distances and vehicle emissions.

However, environmental advocacy groups have voiced strong opposition. The Sierra Club condemned the plan as a "corrupt back-room deal" that compromises the commitment to protect Yosemite for public benefit by transferring national park land to a private entity.

The National Parks Conservation Association characterized the proposal as an attempt to "dismantle America's conservation legacy" and an "attack on the American people." They also noted that a previous court had rejected a similar road development proposal, deeming it unlawful.

The former owner of the property had previously pursued court action seeking easement rights for roads leading to Yosemite. In 2012, a federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of those claims.

While land exchanges are a common practice within the federal government, the exchange of National Park Service land for private development access is considered unusual, as noted by NOTUS, citing a former park service official. The legal basis for the Trump administration's consideration of this particular exchange remains unclear.

Records indicate that Jeff Pori, CEO of Kingsbarn, made several small-dollar donations to Donald Trump's campaign committee between 2024 and 2025. NOTUS reported that Pori had no prior history of donating to national political campaigns before October 2024. However, there is no evidence to suggest that these political contributions influenced the administration's review of the proposal.