String Lake
Alta, Wyoming
| GPS: |
43°47'7.3"N 110°43'53.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Wyoming |
| Trails/Routes: | 3.6 mi |
National Park
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, and Swim
String Lake is a shallow lake that connects Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake at the base of Mount St. John and Rockchuck Peak. From the lakeshore, you can also take in beautiful views of Teewinot and Mt. Moran. The shallow lake is much colder than the glacier lakes on either side. The warm water makes it great for a swim and there's a lot of great areas for kids to wade in. Got a Kayak or Canoe, you'll love how clear the water is as you'll be able to see the bottom anywhere on the lake. It's also a great way to access Leigh Lake and Jenny Lake to do some boating on more open waters. You can put in at String Lake, boat to an end, and then portage to the connecting lake at a much less congested part of the lake.
Rather go for a hike? The String Lake Trail loops around the lake and far enough up the hill that you can get great views of String Lake. Come a little later in the summer and enjoy wild berries along the Northern half of the loop. Stay away from anything that's bright red though. If you're looking for something bigger, the String Lake Trail connects into trails into Paintbrush Canyon, Jenny Lake, and Leigh Lake. The Leigh Lake connection is right at the north end of the lake on the East side of the bridge. From there it's 0.1 miles to the Leigh Lake portage and you will be doing yourself a huge disservice if for some reason you decide not to take this detour. At that point on Leigh Lake, you'll find a tiny little sandbar with lots of rocks sticking up out of the water for hopping around and some amazing views. The portage is only a couple hundred feet away from Boulder Island which beautifully frames the view of Mt. Moran towering over the peaceful lake.
More Information
Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
This Grand Teton National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Grand Teton National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/grand-teton-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
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 onto ID-33 E/S Main StContinue 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 StContinue to follow US-191 N/US-26 E/US-89 N(6.9 mi)
- 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 right 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 (0.2 mi)
- Turn left (0.1 mi)
Turn left at the North Jenny Lake Junction. Turn right at String Lake parking. Follow the signs.
Views of Moran from String Lake Trail courtesy of endovereric↗
Trail along Rockchuck Peak courtesy of endovereric↗
String Lake from above courtesy of endovereric↗
Mt. Moran and Boulder Island from Leigh Lake portage courtesy of endovereric↗
Trail along String Lake from Leigh Lake portage courtesy of endovereric↗
Moran from String Lake courtesy of endovereric↗
String Lake kayaking, swimming, and Mt. Moran courtesy of endovereric↗
Teewinot from String Lake courtesy of endovereric↗
String Lake courtesy of endovereric↗
Mount St. John and Rockchuck Peak above String Lake courtesy of endovereric↗
Other Swimming Holes, Hiking Trails, Canoeing Areas, and Kayaking Areas Nearby
Paintbrush Canyon
Alta, Wyoming
0.2 miles EA 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 0.1-7.3 mi
Leigh Lake
Alta, Wyoming
0.2 miles NTucked beneath Mount Moran and just a mile from the String Lake trailhead, Leigh Lake rewards with majestic serenity, shoreline views of Boulder Island, and calm waters perfect for kayaking or canoeing.
Backpack, Canoe, Hike, Kayak 1.0-5.1 mi
Jenny Lake Trail
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
1.7 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
2.4 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
3.5 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
3.5 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
3.5 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
3.5 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
4.1 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
4.6 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
9.4 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
9.4 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
9.5 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
11.2 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
11.2 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
12.9 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
13.7 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
15.8 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
18.9 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
22.9 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
2.4 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
9.5 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
9.6 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
11.1 miles WCamp near Alta, Wyoming
Camp 1.3-4.3 mi
Phelps Lake
Jackson, Wyoming
11.2 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
16.4 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
19.3 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
23.2 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
25.1 miles NWCamp, Kayak, and Swim near Ashton, Idaho
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Sheep Falls on Fall River
Ashton, Idaho
27.1 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
Pine Creek Campground
Victor, Idaho
27.9 miles SWThe Pine Creek Campground has 10 single units and has restrooms.
Camp
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
28.0 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
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
31.8 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
32.0 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
32.1 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
34.7 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 2.8-4.1 mi
Palisades Creek Trail / Lakes and Waterfall Canyon
Irwin, Idaho
36.0 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 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
36.2 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
Warm River Campground
Ashton, Idaho
36.9 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
Moody Meadows
Driggs, Idaho
37.3 miles WGood place for kids, they can ride bikes in the meadow, play in the stream, and camping is off of the road. Hiking, motorbiking, and horseback riding trails are abundant in the area.
Camp
