Wailaki Tribe Opposes Great Redwood Trail Project

The indigenous group cites concerns over potential public access to ancestral grave sites along the 307-mile nature path.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hiking

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy and cream showing a redwood silhouette over a river valley, representing indigenous land concerns. — The Wailaki tribe is opposing the Great Redwood Trail project, citing the potential desecration of ancestral burial grounds along the California route. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Wailaki tribe is opposing the ongoing construction of the 307-mile Great Redwood Trail, which runs from San Francisco Bay to Humboldt Bay. Members are raising alarms that the project will open ancestral burial grounds to public foot traffic.

Why it matters

The dispute centers on a tension between recreational development and indigenous land rights after the project received a legislative exemption from California environmental reviews. Supporters argue the trail will boost local economies in small towns along the route.

The Great Redwood Trail spans 307 miles along the path of the defunct Northwestern Pacific Railroad. Last year, 1 million people used the completed southern segment of the trail.

The players

Wailaki tribe

An indigenous group whose ancestral lands are located in Northern California.

Great Redwood Trail Agency

The administrative body created in 2021 to oversee the construction and maintenance of the trail.

Steve Madrone

A former Humboldt County supervisor who stepped down from his position at the trail agency earlier this year.

The details

Constructed along the Eel River, the project aims to repurpose land left vacant by the closure of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in 1998. The Great Redwood Trail Agency, established in 2021, has faced scrutiny following the resignation of Humboldt County supervisor Steve Madrone earlier this year.

The Northwestern Pacific Railroad ceased operations in 1998.
The Great Redwood Trail Agency was officially formed in 2021.
More than 1 million visitors accessed the trail's southern portion last year.
Humboldt County supervisor Steve Madrone resigned from the agency earlier this year.

Culture Shift

The project's exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act highlights a growing tension between outdoor recreation trends and the preservation of indigenous land history. This debate mirrors wider societal shifts regarding how public spaces are developed on lands with significant cultural heritage.

Residents and tourists planning to use the trail should monitor for potential closures or project delays resulting from the tribe's opposition. The dispute may change long-term access rules for specific segments of the route as discussions proceed.

The takeaway

The struggle over the Great Redwood Trail underscores the complexities of balancing public infrastructure projects with the rights of indigenous communities. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to research the cultural background of the lands they visit to foster more informed and respectful recreation.