As development pressures increase, we find more and more private landowners blocking access to public trails. In many cases, the trails are publicly dedicated, and activists can sue or threaten to sue to open up easements for the public across private property to access them.

We have developed a short handbook for activists entitled "California Road, Trail and Beach Access Law."This summary is very specific to California, but the basic principles of dedication are similar in other states.

Please contact me with any errors you find in the summary, or suggestions for its improvement.