Leigh Lake
Alta, Wyoming
| Address: | Leigh Lake, Wyoming 83414, USA |
| GPS: |
43°47'19.1"N 110°43'50.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Wyoming |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.1-7.3 mi |
Backpack, Canoe, Hike, and Kayak
Enjoy the grandeur of Grand Teton National Park just a little ways off the beaten path. Leigh Lake rests underneath the majestic Mount Moran. The waters of Leigh Lake flow almost directly into String Lake with only a hint of river between the two. While only a mile from the String Lake parking area, Leigh Lake offers a majestic serenity easily missed on the more popular trails of the park. You can take a hike around the perimeter, never going far from the shoreline and amazing views or enjoy the waters and views from the gentle ride of a kayak or canoe. To find the trailhead, just go to the West end of the String Lake parking area near the vault toilets and begin walking north along the banks of String Lake. There are many small trails but as long as you're headed North, all the trails will come together into the main String Lake/Leigh Lake Trail. At the end of String Lake, the trails will diverge. For amazing views of Boulder Island an Mount Moran, follow the portage trail from the junction north where you'll descend down the log stairs to the waters edge. To continue all the way around the lake to the North end, just take the trail to the East. The trail stays close to shore most of the time and has a few great places to stop and enjoy the view. At the North end of the lake, you'll find another junction where you can go left (South) to the North shore of Leigh Lake, right (North) to Bearpaw Lake, or straight (West) to continue around Bearpaw Lake to Trapper Lake. Like most things in the Tetons, be bear aware and respectful and it doesn't much matter where you go. What a beautiful place to be.
If you want to kayak these waters, just put in at the String Lake parking lot, then paddle down to the portage trail at the North end of the lake. Then carry the boat 1.3 miles set it in the water and enjoy your day.
More Information
Add ResourceBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Alta, Wyoming
- Head south on Alta School Rd toward W Alta Ski Hill Rd (82 ft)
- Slight right onto W Alta Ski Hill RdEntering Idaho(0.5 mi)
- Continue onto Ski Hill Rd (3.5 mi)
- Continue onto E Little Ave (0.5 mi)
- Turn left after KeyBank (on the right)Continue to follow ID-33 EEntering Wyoming(13.9 mi)
- Continue onto WY-22 E (17.4 mi)
- Turn left onto US-191 N/
US-26 E/ US-89 N/ W Broadway (1.4 mi) - Turn left onto US-191 N/
US-26 E/ US-89 N/ N Cache St Continue to follow US-191 N/(6.9 mi)US-26 E/ US-89 N - At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and stay on US-191 N/
US-26 E/ US-89 N (5.5 mi) - Turn left onto Teton Park Rd (1.0 mi)
- Keep left to stay on Teton Park RdParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(9.8 mi)
- Turn left onto Jenny Lake Rd (1.5 mi)
- Turn right onto String Lake Rd (0.4 mi)
Other Hiking Trails, Canoeing Areas, Kayaking Areas, and Backpacking Trails Nearby
String Lake
Alta, Wyoming
0.2 miles SA shallow, warm lake connecting Jenny and Leigh Lakes at the base of the Tetons — the clear water lets you see the bottom from a kayak, wade easily with kids, and access wilder open water beyond.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 10.5-16.2 mi
Paintbrush Canyon
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
0.3 miles SEA beautiful trail along String Lake, Leigh Lake, and Lake Solitude in Grand Teton — with a short, rewarding scramble to the secluded Micah Lake perch for even fewer crowds.
Backpack, Hike 1.0-5.1 mi
Jenny Lake Trail
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
1.9 miles SWAn easy loop around Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park — visiting Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point, and abundant wildlife including marmots, moose, and occasional bears along the well-built stone-stair trail.
Hike 24.3 mi
Cascade Canyon Trail
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
2.6 miles SA wildlife-rich canyon hike past Hidden Falls and into Cascade Canyon, where waterfalls pour off glacier-fed mountains flanking the Grand Teton.
Backpack, Hike
Teewinot Mountain
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.7 miles STeewinot Mountain is a 12,325-ft Teton spire above Jenny Lake — the range's deadliest peak and a committing 4th-class East Face climb, not a hike.
Backpack, Hike
Mount Owen
Jackson, Wyoming
3.8 miles SMount Owen is the second-highest peak in the Teton Range, a striking 12,928-foot summit rising in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, just north of its famous neighbor, the Grand Teton....
Hike 13.8 mi
Middle Teton
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.8 miles SThe 12,804-ft Middle Teton rewards serious alpinists with glacier bouldering through the Southwest Couloir and panoramic views of the Grand, South, and surrounding Tetons.
Backpack, Hike, Rock Climb 3.9-14.4 mi
Grand Teton
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
3.8 miles SAt 13,770 feet, the Grand Teton towers over Western Wyoming — all popular routes require rock climbing gear and are for skilled climbers only, with 3,000 feet of exposure where a fall is fatal.
Backpack, Hike, Rock Climb
Mt. Moran
Alta, Wyoming
3.9 miles NWAt 12,610 feet, this dominant Teton peak rises 6,000 feet above Jackson Lake, with the Skillet Glacier plainly visible on its massive east face.
Hike 4.9 mi
Amphitheater Lake
Alta, Wyoming
4.8 miles SWAmphitheater Lake is one of Grand Teton National Park's most rewarding alpine destinations — a sparkling cirque lake cradled in granite high above the treeline, beneath the soaring peaks of...
Backpack, Hike 7.9 mi
Devil's Stairs
Driggs, Idaho
9.5 miles WAn 8-mile round-trip trail that starts from the Teton Canyon Trailhead, climbs 1,000 feet in switchbacks, and arrives at a stunning high meadow filled with wildflowers and framed by a towering cliff.
Backpack, Hike 15.0-18.4 mi
Alaska Basin
Driggs, Idaho
9.5 miles WA stunning trail through the Jedediah Wilderness into Wyoming near Grand Teton National Park, with wildflowers, rushing rivers, the Teton Range, and the serene Alaska Basin — intermediate to advanced.
Backpack, Hike, Horseback 3.8-6.4 mi
Table Rock / Table Mountain
Driggs, Idaho
9.6 miles WA big climb to 11,300 feet for arguably the finest view of the Grand Tetons — pick the steep Face or the gradual Huckleberry trail.
Camp, Hike 1.3-4.3 mi
Phelps Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
11.4 miles SA 5.5-mile loop around beautiful Phelps Lake with mountain scenery, majestic blue water, several Teton waterfalls, and lakeside campsites — plus a popular cliff jumping rock along the trail.
Backpack, Camp, Dive, Hike, Swim
Jumping Rock at Phelp's Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
11.4 miles SA solo 20-foot boulder perched above deep water at Phelps Lake, with Death Canyon looming overhead — one of the most dramatic jump spots in all of Wyoming.
Dive, Hike, Swim 4.5 mi
Sheep Bridge Trail
Driggs, Idaho
13.0 miles WAn easy 2.25-mile trail through summer wildflowers and kaleidoscopes of butterflies along Teton Creek — cross a bridge, meander east, and dip down to the creek at a midway rest spot.
Hike, Mountain Bike 6.2 mi
Darby Wind Cave
Driggs, Idaho
13.8 miles SWWaterfalls, wildflowers, creek crossings, and a wind cave high on the canyon wall — Darby's switchback trail rewards hikers with views found nowhere else in the Tetons.
Backpack, Cave, Hike, Rock Climb 4.5 mi
Aspen Trail
Alta, Wyoming
15.9 miles WFlowing singletrack along a 6,800-ft ridgeline contour connects to Darby Canyon on a mix of smooth and rocky terrain — a satisfying intermediate out-and-back or loop.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Blue Miner Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
19.1 miles SEBlue Miner Lake is a stunning backcountry alpine lake in the Gros Ventre Wilderness east of Jackson, Wyoming — a hidden gem that many locals rank among Jackson Hole's very best lakes....
Backpack, Hike 4.6 mi
Coal Creek Trail
Alta, Wyoming
23.1 miles SWA hike beyond Coal Creek Meadows to a mountain divide with dramatic views of the Mesquite Creek Valley and the peaks to the north, including Grand Teton on the horizon.
Hike, Mountain BikeNearby Campsites
Jenny Lake Campground
Jackson Hole, WY
2.6 miles STucked right at the base of the Tetons, this tent-only campground fills before 8 AM in summer for good reason — alpine beauty, quiet sites, and unbeatable Teton proximity.
Camp 3.8-6.4 mi
Table Rock / Table Mountain
Driggs, Idaho
9.6 miles WA big climb to 11,300 feet for arguably the finest view of the Grand Tetons — pick the steep Face or the gradual Huckleberry trail.
Camp, Hike
Teton Canyon Campground
Alta, Wyoming
9.7 miles WTeton Canyon Campground is the gateway to Alaska Basin, Table Rock, and the Teton Crest Trail — each site stocked with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box.
Camp
Reunion Flat Campground
Alta, Wyoming
11.2 miles WCamp near Alta, Wyoming
Camp 1.3-4.3 mi
Phelps Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
11.4 miles SA 5.5-mile loop around beautiful Phelps Lake with mountain scenery, majestic blue water, several Teton waterfalls, and lakeside campsites — plus a popular cliff jumping rock along the trail.
Backpack, Camp, Dive, Hike, Swim
Darby Canyon Camping
Alta, Wyoming
16.5 miles SWDispersed campsites with fire lays in scenic Darby Canyon — no official campground, just established spots in Wyoming wilderness. Leave No Trace and use existing rings only.
Camp
Crystal Creek Campground
Jackson, Wyoming
19.4 miles SEA small, peaceful campground along two Wild and Scenic Rivers — the Gros Ventre and Crystal Creek — with nearby options for hiking, biking, and OHV riding.
Camp
Mike Harris Campground
Victor, Idaho
23.4 miles SWA scenic mountain campground at 6,200 feet along Teton Pass just 5 miles from Victor, Idaho — a peaceful base for fishing, trail exploring, and sightseeing in the Teton region.
Camp
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
24.9 miles NWLoon Lake is a small, lively mountain lake tucked into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest just off Ashton's Fish Creek Road, in the timbered high country of eastern Idaho near the gateway to...
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Sheep Falls on Fall River
Ashton, Idaho
27.0 miles NWA local gem off Cave Falls Road where the river splits into multiple falls tumbling over each other — primitive campsites and beautiful views make it a great picnic stop.
Camp
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
27.9 miles NWA campground right on the Fall River along Yellowstone's south boundary puts you steps from legendary fishing, with fire rings and bear-proof boxes at each site.
Camp, Hike
Pine Creek Campground
Victor, Idaho
28.1 miles SWThe Pine Creek Campground has 10 single units and has restrooms.
Camp
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
31.7 miles NWA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
31.9 miles NWA backcountry hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot in Targhee National Forest, surrounded by forests, meadows, a creek, and unmarked trails — bear country, so pack and store food carefully.
Camp, Swim
Granite Hot Springs
Jackson, Wyoming
32.3 miles SEA CCC-built concrete hot springs pool fed by thermal water varying from 93°F in summer to 112°F in winter — a year-round attraction in the Teton National Forest near Jackson, with flush toilets and a campground.
Camp, Hot Springs, Swim 0.1 mi
Lewis Lake Campground
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
34.5 miles NYellowstone's third-largest lake draws canoeists, kayakers, and serious anglers, with a quiet campground open mid-June through early November on a first-come basis.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
36.0 miles NWA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim 2.8-4.1 mi
Palisades Creek Trail / Lakes and Waterfall Canyon
Irwin, Idaho
36.2 miles SWSpectacular mountain views, two landslide-formed alpine lakes, and mountain goat sightings — all within a 4-to-6-mile hike in the Swan Valley wilderness.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike
Warm River Campground
Ashton, Idaho
36.8 miles NWSlow-moving warm water and willow-lined banks make this campground a perfect spot for tubing, trout fishing, and peaceful mountain biking at 5,200 ft elevation.
Camp 6.9 mi
Heart Lake Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
37.1 miles NAn 8-mile moderate hike to a remote backcountry lake with blue thermal pools, fumaroles, Rustic Geyser, and remarkable fishing for native cutthroat, mountain whitefish, and Arctic grayling.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Hot Springs