String Lake
Moran, Wyoming · Grand Teton National Park
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $35 per private
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About String Lake
String Lake is a shallow, narrow natural lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, fed by outflow from Leigh Lake and connected downstream to Jenny Lake. The National Park Service explicitly designates it as one of the park's most popular swimming and picnicking spots, a natural swimming hole prized for being the warmest lake to swim in within the park.
String Lake sits in the piedmont lakes district at the base of the Teton Range, at about 6,870 feet elevation, surrounded by lodgepole pine forest with picnic tables along the shoreline and mountain peaks rising directly behind the water (NPS; Wikipedia).
Swimming at String Lake
NPS describes String Lake as shallow and the warmest lake in the park, making it a popular swimming destination alongside kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. First-hand travel reporting adds that the water has a sandy bottom and is shallower and calmer at the northern end, which suits families and less-experienced swimmers, while still being cold relative to non-alpine lakes.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the park's interior road system, take Teton Park Road to the North Jenny Lake Junction and follow signs into the String Lake area, where a picnic-area parking lot sits a short walk from the shoreline (NPS; islands.com).
Parking: A dedicated picnic-area parking lot serves the lake and is described by NPS as one of the largest and most popular in the park, though NPS also notes parking is limited and can fill during peak season.
The hike in
- To the water
- Under 0.1 mi (a short walk of a couple minutes) from the parking lot to the shoreline
- Time on foot
- Under 5 minutes on foot from car to water
Difficulty: easy (flat, short walk, no elevation gain)
Trailhead: String Lake picnic-area parking lot, accessed off Teton Park Road at the North Jenny Lake Junction; the same lot is also the trailhead for the longer String Lake Loop, Leigh Lake, and Paintbrush Canyon trails, but none of those hikes are required to reach the swimming area.
The swim/picnic beach is essentially at the trailhead itself, not partway along a longer trail; longer named trails (String Lake Loop ~3.5 mi, Leigh Lake, Paintbrush Canyon) branch out from the same lot for visitors who want to hike further, but the swimming area does not require any of that mileage.
This is a drive-up/walk-up swim spot, not a hike-in one.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
NPS calls String Lake the warmest lake in the park and a popular swim spot; travel reporting adds the north end has a shallow, sandy-bottomed shoreline that suits families and young/inexperienced swimmers. Caveats: water is still cold for an alpine lake, and NPS enforces wildlife-distance rules (100 yds from bears, 25 yds from moose/deer) in the surrounding area, so kids should be supervised near tree lines/trail edges too.
Parking
Free
Dedicated picnic-area parking lot right at the lake, reached via Teton Park Road at the North Jenny Lake Junction. NPS describes it as one of the largest picnic/parking areas in the park, but also notes parking is limited and fills during peak summer hours; no separate fee, just the standard park entrance ($35/private vehicle/7 days).
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are listed among on-site facilities at the String Lake picnic area/parking lot (NPS), along with picnic tables and animal-proof food storage. A seasonal (mid-June to September) mobile NPS contact station is also stationed at the lake.
Water clarity
Clear
One travel writer who visited the lake describes String Lake's water as clear with a sandy lake bottom, especially at the shallower, calmer north end favored by families; this matches the Wikipedia and NPS note that it is unusually sandy-bottomed for one of the park's alpine lakes.
Hours
Grand Teton National Park itself is open 24 hours a day, year-round, but access is seasonal: Teton Park Road (the route to String Lake) is generally open roughly May through October, and NPS lists the String Lake canoe/kayak launch as operating May 1 through October 31 to match that road season. No separate gate hours for the String Lake picnic area itself.
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized watercraft only (Wikipedia; consistent with NPS 'bring your own boat and paddle around String Lake before portaging up to Leigh Lake' guidance). NPS lists a canoe/kayak launch at the String Lake picnic area that runs seasonally, May 1 through October 31, tied to the Teton Park Road season.
No on-site rental concession at String Lake itself; visitors bring their own non-motorized craft or portage from Leigh Lake.
Rentals nearby
Kayak, canoe, and motorboat rentals for use on Jackson Lake
Prices: Not published on the page fetched; GTLC lists this rental in its lowest ($) price tier and directs booking questions to its reservations line
Colter Bay Village marina, on Jackson Lake, roughly 11 miles north of String Lake within Grand Teton National Park (not on String Lake itself)
Backstory
String Lake was one of six original piedmont lakes included within Grand Teton National Park's 1929 boundary, though it was not officially named on early maps (Wikipedia).
String Lake: FAQ
Does String Lake charge a fee?
Covered by standard Grand Teton National Park entrance fee ($35 per private vehicle for 7 days as of the source date); no separate fee is listed for String Lake or its picnic area. Park does not accept cash.
Is String Lake kid friendly?
NPS calls String Lake the warmest lake in the park and a popular swim spot; travel reporting adds the north end has a shallow, sandy-bottomed shoreline that suits families and young/inexperienced swimmers. Caveats: water is still cold for an alpine lake, and NPS enforces wildlife-distance rules (100 yds from bears, 25 yds from moose/deer) in the surrounding area, so kids should be supervised near tree lines/trail edges too.
Do I need to hike to reach String Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for String Lake?
Dedicated picnic-area parking lot right at the lake, reached via Teton Park Road at the North Jenny Lake Junction. NPS describes it as one of the largest picnic/parking areas in the park, but also notes parking is limited and fills during peak summer hours; no separate fee, just the standard park entrance ($35/private vehicle/7 days).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to String Lake?
No on-site rental concession at String Lake itself; visitors bring their own non-motorized craft or portage from Leigh Lake.
When is the best time to visit String Lake?
Summer (peak visitor season); first-hand reporting recommends arriving before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. to avoid crowds, and early morning for calmer water for paddling.
What are the rules at String Lake?
Only non-motorized boats are permitted on the lake (Wikipedia). NPS requires visitors to store food in bear boxes and maintain distances of at least 100 yards from bears and 25 yards from other wildlife (moose, deer) due to habitat in the area.
