Kaufmann Creek Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
This is active bear country — carry bear spray, make noise on blind corners, and know how to use your spray before you need it. Grizzly and black bear sightings are common in the preserve.
Creek crossings can run high and fast during spring snowmelt, typically late May through mid-June. If water is above your knees and moving quickly, turn around.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve parking lot holds only 50 cars and fills by 9:30 AM in summer — arrive before 8 AM or after 4 PM, as no overflow or roadside parking is allowed.
Loop this trail with the Lake Creek and Woodland trails for a fuller outing that hits Phelps Lake overlook — the combined route gives you forest, creek, and alpine lake views in one go.
Stop at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center before or after your hike. It's one of the most beautifully designed visitor centers in the park system, with sensory exhibits and massive picture windows framing the range.
