String Lake and Leigh Lake can suit a Grand Teton day when you want water, mountain views and room to choose your own pace. But a picnic beside String Lake, a short out-and-back to Leigh Lake and a longer shoreline hike are not the same outing. Decide which one you want before you fill the rest of the day.
The short Leigh Lake walk: useful details
The National Park Service’s Leigh Lake guide lists the short route as 1.8 miles round trip, with approximately 110 feet of elevation gain and an estimated one to two hours. It follows String Lake’s eastern shore toward Leigh Lake’s southern end. Leigh Lake has no road access; reaching it involves walking or non-motorized boating.
There are stairs, roots and rocks along the walking route. An easy rating does not mean a smooth, step-free path. If uneven ground is a concern, ask a ranger about the current surface and choose a turnaround your whole party can manage. Continuing along Leigh Lake adds distance beyond the short outing described above.
When a picnic is the better plan
NPS describes String Lake as a popular shallow-water swimming and picnic destination, with limited parking. It also asks picnickers to stay with their food and use bear boxes when finished. Do not interpret shallow water as a guarantee of warm temperatures or safe conditions for every swimmer.
For a mixed-age group, a lake visit can work better when nobody has to complete the same hike. Make the shared part of the outing the view and meal, then choose any walk based on the group’s energy. Keep children supervised, protect your food and leave the shore as you found it.
A practical three-choice plan
- Low walking commitment: choose a permitted picnic area and a short look at the shore; confirm the path from your parking place.
- A defined hike: use the short Leigh Lake out-and-back as the day’s walking objective.
- More time and energy: review an official trail map before extending along the shoreline. Decide a turnaround before starting.
Do not substitute a phone search for the map: the same lake names appear on routes with very different lengths. Download directions and trail information while you have a reliable connection.
Parking and seasonal access belong in the decision
Allow a backup when parking is full. Waiting without a plan can consume the time you intended to spend by the water. Use designated spaces rather than roadside improvisation, and keep enough flexibility to choose a different stop. Check park alerts before departure; snow or closures can change a simple-looking walk.
Compare this with our Jenny Lake day-visit guide. If a boat is part of your plan, read our kayak and paddleboard preparation guide; walking access does not answer permit questions.
Your lakeside day, your riverside return
Windhaven RV Resort is in Dubois, outside Grand Teton. Keep your RV settled, plan the complete park drive and return, and let one well-chosen lake outing be enough. Back at your Wind River home base, the evening can move at a different pace.
Plan your Windhaven stay
Check availability and book your RV site, or call or text 307-855-5427. For weekly or monthly stays, call to discuss your plans. Explore more ideas in our Dubois and Wyoming travel blog.
