Hiking the String Lake Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park
Distance: 3.8 miles / 6.1 km
The String Lake Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park is a fun, kid-friendly day hike where visitors can enjoy countless beautiful beaches that are great for swimming, as well as amazing views of Mt. Moran and much of the Teton Range from all sides of the lake!
That said, many trails throughout Grand Teton National Park are very steep, with the exception of those located just outside of the range, such as the Jenny Lake Loop, the Phelps Lake Loop, and, yes, String Lake!
However, none are as short or as easy as the String Lake Loop Trail, which is one of the main reasons I believe it is one of the best to hike with young kids!
On a different note, String Lake is also one of the most popular places in Grand Teton National Park to paddleboard and kayak, making the entire area one of the best places to spend a long day with the entire family!
String Lake Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for the String Lake Loop Trail is located in one of three lots off String Lake Road, near the joint String Lake–Leigh Lake Trailhead.
Before visiting, know that the String Lake Trailhead is one of the most difficult places to find parking in Grand Teton National Park, and I often say it’s number four in terms of popularity, behind only the Jenny Lake Trailhead, the Phelps Lake Trailhead, and the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.
This is why it is important to arrive early and be aware that parking along Jenny Lake Road, just prior to String Lake Road, is illegal and highly enforced. I have seen cars booted for illegally parking near String Lake!
Google Maps Directions: String Lake Loop Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone–Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone–Teton area.
Hiking the String Lake Loop Trail
The String Lake Loop Trail could begin from any number of paths that lead toward the shoreline from the three different parking lots, but this article begins from the joint String Lake–Leigh Lake Trailhead in the northernmost lot.
String Lake Loop Trail
After just a few steps, the paved path reaches the start of the String Lake Loop Trail, where there’s the option to either go right or left from this split.
I personally prefer to go right because it is the best way to hike away from the majority of the crowds that like to hang out along the shoreline closest to the three parking lots.
Regarding my thoughts above, I chose to go right in the counterclockwise direction around String Lake.
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail leaves the busiest sections behind and begins heading toward Leigh Lake at the far northern end.
Since there is a lot less traffic compared to the sections on the loop closest to the parking lots, I think it’s important to mention that bear encounters are more common as the trail works its way north and toward the west side of String Lake.
This is why it’s always important to hike prepared, including knowing how to identify the difference between a Black Bear and a Grizzly.
In addition to bear spray, I also highly recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt on the String Lake Trail, as there is quite a bit of exposure throughout much of the day, especially along the western side of the loop south of Paintbrush Canyon.
This is where views of Mt. Moran can easily be seen from the String Lake Loop!
String Lake Loop-Jenny Lake Lodge Junction
After roughly 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the joint trailhead, the String Lake Loop Trail passes a short side trail that connects String Lake with Jenny Lake Lodge.
Once here, go straight to stay on the String Lake Loop Trail toward the Leigh Lake Outlet at the northern end.
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail begins working its way north along some of the narrowest and shallowest parts of String Lake, which is one reason swimming here is so much warmer than in larger, deeper lakes found throughout Grand Teton, such as Phelps Lake.
String Lake Loop-Leigh Lake Portage Junction
On the very far northern end of String Lake, the loop passes the Leigh Lake Portage, the land crossing used by canoers and kayakers to get between the two lakes.
Once again, go straight at this next split to continue hiking the String Lake Loop Trail toward the Leigh Lake Outlet shortly ahead.
String Lake Loop-Leigh Lake Junction
Just a few steps after the Leigh Lake Portage, the String Lake Loop passes a second connection with the Leigh Lake Trail.
At this second split, go left, and the String Lake Loop will cross the Leigh Lake Outlet just around the corner.
Leigh Lake Outlet
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail crosses the Leigh Lake Outlet and begins the much less trafficked side of the loop!
String Lake Loop-Leigh Lake Campsites Junction
Immediately after crossing the Leigh Lake Outlet, the String Lake Loop splits once more with a path that leads to the Leigh Lake Campsites.
These campsites are reservable through Recreation.gov using the link below.
All that aside, go left at this junction to continue on the String Lake Loop Trail toward Paintbrush Canyon and the westernmost half of the loop.
Book Here: Leigh Lake Backcountry Campsites
After crossing the Leigh Lake Outlet, the String Lake Loop remains mostly flat for about 0.4 miles (0.6 km), but this quickly comes to an end as the trail approaches the Paintbrush Canyon junction on the northwestern side of the loop.
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail starts gaining elevation as it approaches Paintbrush Canyon.
However, there is only about 175 ft. (53 m) of elevation change from this point to the junction ahead, which really isn’t all that bad, considering the vast majority of the hike is flat.
This is about as steep as the String Lake Loop Trail ever gets!
String Lake Loop-Paintbrush Canyon Junction
After about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from the joint String Lake–Leigh Lake Trailhead, the String Lake Loop Trail meets the Paintbrush Canyon Trail, also known as the end of the Teton Crest Trail.
That said, go straight (left) at this split to continue on the String Lake Loop Trail and begin the western half of the loop toward Jenny Lake.
The nice thing about the Paintbrush Canyon junction is that it is essentially the highest point on the entire loop, meaning much of the hike on the western half toward Jenny Lake is flat or downhill!
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail enters some of the more exposed sections on the western side of the loop, which is why I previously mentioned that I recommend wearing a hooded sun shirt to stay safe.
These Aspen trees are what can make the String Lake Loop Trail a great day hike to consider if you happen to be visiting Grand Teton National Park in late September or early October for the fall colors!
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail enters the burn scar from the 1999 Alder Fire that burned along the lower-elevation slopes above both String and Jenny Lake.
String Lake Loop-Laurel Lake Junction
Just before the String Lake Loop reaches the southern end near Jenny Lake, the loop passes a lesser-known social trail known as the Laurel Lake Trail.
That said, go straight on the much more obvious trail to continue on the String Lake Loop toward Jenny Lake and the String Lake Outlet shortly ahead.
I always seem to find Sage Grouse hens on trails across the Mountain West, typically because they build their nests very close to walking paths like this!
This short hill is a nice sign that the String Lake Loop is not far from the shared trail with the Jenny Lake Loop on the southern end near the String Lake Outlet!
West String Lake Loop-Jenny Lake Loop Junction
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail and the Jenny Lake Loop Trail become one, as the two cross over the String Lake Lake Outlet before going their separate ways.
Once at this point, go left to continue on the String Lake Loop Trail toward the bridge across the small creek.
Read My Separate Post: Jenny Lake Loop Trail
This section along the Jenny Lake Loop is roughly 0.25 miles (0.4 km) and is often one of the busier sections of the full String Lake Loop, apart from the buiest areas closest to three parking lots.
String Lake Outlet
This is where the String Lake Loop crosses the String Lake Outlet, similar to the Leigh Lake Outlet near the Leigh Lake Portage on the far northern end.
East String Lake Loop-Jenny Lake Loop Junction
Immediately after crossing the String Lake Outlet, the String Lake Loop meets the second junction with the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, which is the point where the two loops go their separate ways.
Once here, go left to begin hiking along the east side of String Lake once again and return to the three parking areas and the joint trailhead, about 0.9 miles (1.4 km) from this point.
Read My Separate Post: Jenny Lake Loop Trail
South String Lake Trailhead
Immediately after leaving the Jenny Lake Loop Trail, the String Lake Loop reaches the South String Lake Trailhead and the southernmost of the three parking lots.
At this point, it’s not as common to continue hiking the String Lake Loop as it is to return to wherever you may have parked, but, for the sake of consistency, the rest of this article follows the true String Lake Loop Trail along the shoreline back to the original joint trailhead.
To continue along the shoreline around the String Lake Loop, go left, then left again at these two back-to-back splits.
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail leaves the burn scar from the 1999 Alder Fire.
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail begins to re-enter some of the busiest sections on the entire hike, as this is typically where visitors access the shoreline closest to the three parking lots.
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail crosses the main path from the middle parking lot.
These are typically some of the busiest beaches on the east side of the String Lake Loop Trail.
String Lake Loop Junction
This is where the String Lake Loop Trail completes the 3.8-mile (6.1 km) loop and returns to the path from the joint String Lake–Leigh Lake Trailhead from the very beginning.
As previously mentioned, it’s not common to hike the entire loop along the shoreline closest to the three parking lots, but if you hiked the entire trail as outlined in this article, go right at this split to return to the northernmost parking lot at the end of String Lake Road.
