Land swap option on the table for Yosemite access road

The Yosemite land swap has become a closely watched case involving the use of U.S. public land and project financing. The National Park Service has confirmed it is discussing the possibility of a land swap with Nevada-based Kingsbarn Realty Capital for an access road that would connect to the entrance of Yosemite National Park.

According to the company’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, the planned road would provide access to the park entrance and would be less than a mile long. Kingsbarn owns an 83-acre parcel near Yosemite’s western boundary known as the historic Hazel Green Ranch.

How would the financial structure and permitting process work?

Under the model being discussed, Kingsbarn would buy another piece of land in California of equivalent value and transfer it to the National Park Service. Because the structure relies on swapping assets rather than making a direct cash payment, the economic side of the deal raises questions about land valuation and the protection of public assets.

What stands out in the proposed swap model?

  • The company wants a new road to access its parcel near Yosemite.
  • In return, it plans to acquire land of the same value in California to transfer to the park service.
  • The U.S. Department of the Interior says no final decision has been made.

According to the department, any possible swap or access proposal will be reviewed under federal laws, regulations and agency policy. That means environmental review, public notice and transparency steps would come into play. The company, meanwhile, argues that a shorter route would reduce vehicle use and emissions.

How could legal risks and opposition affect the project?

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups. Sierra Club and the National Parks Conservation Association have opposed the use of national park land to serve the access needs of a private developer. Both groups say the proposal conflicts with the public interest and conservation principles.

The legal backdrop is also notable. The property’s former owner previously went to court seeking an easement over roads leading to Yosemite, but a federal appeals court upheld the rejection of those claims in 2012. According to NOTUS, land swaps are common in the federal government, but exchanging National Park Service land for access tied to private development is seen as unusual, and the legal basis for the move is not yet clear.

Meanwhile, Kingsbarn CEO Jeff Pori reportedly made mostly small recurring donations to Donald Trump’s campaign committee during the 2024-2025 period. CNBC said it found no evidence that those donations influenced the administration’s consideration of the proposal.