Private Lands in U.S. National Parks: What You Need to Know

 

HOMEBUYERS, RURAL REAL ESTATE, FUN FACTS

Private Lands in U.S. National Parks: What You Need to Know

Believe it or not, there are over four million acres of private land in U.S. national parks, about three percent of total public lands. Grandfathered in are homesteads established generations ago by the Homestead Act of 1862 when the country was young and settlers were willing to cross the country enduring numerous perils to claim farm and ranch land. As national parks were established, homesteaders were allowed to keep their lands, or they could sell their properties back to the government. Private properties within national park boundaries are called inholdings, and their owners have the same rights as all private property owners, including the right to sell their homes to whomever they wish. Homeowners may be subject to Federal agency regulations“regarding access to their homes and use of their lands by their Federal agency neighbors.” Under the Eastern Wilderness Act, public agencies are allowed to seize wilderness inholdings if the homeowners don’t manage the land to the standards of the Federal agency. They are also mandated to provide access to roads to inholders. The Boondockersbible.com cautions that RVers, hikers and campers may not be aware of private property boundaries—even though Federal regulations prevent park visitors from crossing into privately held land, trespassing still occurs. Inholdings are highly coveted and expensive because of their rarity and stunningly beautiful locations. Chances are that homebuyers seeking in inholding would be bidding against non-profit land conservation trust funds that intend to purchase the land and then donate it back to the government.