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 , publ