Yosemite land swap proposal could give private developer road access through the national park

The National Park Service is examining whether a land exchange can be carried out under federal law A Nevada-based developer is seeking a land exchange that could allow a private road to be built through Yosemite National Park, giving access to an 83-acre property just outside the park. The Trump administration is considering the proposal, according to documents and people familiar with discussions KQED reported.The property is owned through limited-liability companies operated by Kingsbarn Realty Capital. The company bought the undeveloped 83-acre plot for $4 million in 2024. The land, historically known as Hazel Green Ranch, is located outside Yosemite’s western boundary, about five miles from one of the park’s giant sequoia groves.Kingsbarn CEO Jeff Pori wants to build a short road linking the property to a road inside Yosemite. The proposed route would cross a roughly quarter-mile strip of National Park Service land. In exchange, the Park Service would receive land of equal value elsewhere in California, according to the proposal.The plan has brought back a dispute that has continued for more than two decades. A previous owner of the property had also sought permission to build...