The carboxylation of alpha- and beta-naphthols with sodium ethyl carbonate was studied. Conditions for the regioselective carboxylation of alpha-naphthol in the 2- and 4-positions and beta-naphthol in the 3-position were found. Simple and convenient methods for the preparation of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic, 1-hydroxy-4-naphthoic, and 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acids were developed.