For much of its length, the Boulder Creek Trail travels along the braided streambeds of Boulder Creek. Accessed primarily from the Purinton Creek Trail, Boulder Creek Trail features many stream crossings and is open to ATV traffic for much of its 21 mile length, though the upper section approaching Chitna Pass is for foot traffic only and requires skilled routefinding and steady legs.

This area is a popular hunting destination in the fall.

The upper half of Boulder Creek Trail is part of the 40 mile Chitna Pass backpacking loop as described in 55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska. Beginning on the Hick's Creek Trail, the challenging route heads up Caribou Creek to Chitna Pass before descending Boulder Creek.