Swimming In Grand Teton National Park

I am a sucker for any trail that leads you to a cold alpine lake. Grand Teton National Park did not disappoint in this respect.

In fact, it offers plenty of short, easy family-friendly hikes that take you to blue clear waters surrounded by the backdrop of beautiful mountain vistas. Score!

String Lake is the best place to swim in Grand Teton National Park. It is shallow, so although it is still very cold, it’s not quite as freezing as some of the other lakes in the park. (Hello Jackson Lake!)

Most of the lakes in Grand Teton have very rocky bottoms, but the sandy bottom of String Lake is a welcome change. It’s easy on the feet making it a very kid-friendly lake to enjoy. My girls brought their snorkel masks and had a blast.

Be forewarned though, the water is cold! But not as cold as the other lakes in the Tetons!

Too busy to plan a vacation? No worries, it’s already been done for you. Check out our detailed family trip itinerary to Grand Teton National Park!

A serene landscape featuring a clear lake reflecting lush green forests and towering mountains under a blue sky with scattered white clouds.
String Lake

Swimming At String Lake

Two people in swimwear wade into a calm lake surrounded by dense pine forests and towering mountains. The scene is tranquil, with reflections on the water and overcast skies adding to the serene atmosphere.
Shallow water of String Lake

Grand Teton is full of lakes. All of them are cold. But one lake stands out for being a bit warmer- String Lake.

You’ll find a lot of people at String Lake, because visitors can park at the nearby picnic area and walk a short distance to its shore.

We spent the day here, bringing our inflatable tubes and enjoying a picnic and swim along with dozens of folks on tubes, canoes, SUPs, etc. Although it’s a popular spot, t’s still beautiful.

A serene lake surrounded by lush green forests and towering mountains. The overcast sky casts a calm ambiance. People are paddleboarding and kayaking on the water, adding a sense of peaceful outdoor recreation.
Everyone floating on String Lake

Tips For Visiting String Lake in Grand Teton National Park

  • Arrive early (before 9am) or arrive later in the afternoon (after 5pm). It’s a popular spot so finding parking can be a challenge.
  • Bring bear spray.  We saw a bear walking off trail in the opposite direction of us during our hike. Some folks stopped to observe but we zoomed on!
  • Bring mosquito spray. Once you stop walking, the mosquitoes are happy to greet you.
  • Pack an inflatable tube. We wore swimsuits under our clothes and packed small inflatable tubes in our backpack to inflate later at a less-crowded beach area along the trail.

Find Your Own Swimming Hole On String Lake By Walking The Leigh Lake Trail

To avoid some of the crowds closest to the parking area for String Lake, you can park at the picnic area and proceed to the north end of the parking lot where you’ll find the Leigh Lake trailhead.

Walk about a 1/2 mile on this flat, easy trail along the eastern shore of String Lake on the way to Leigh Lake. You’ll leave the crowds behind. Simply walk this beautiful trail keeping an eye out for a good area to swim.

We stopped at the 1/2 mile mark and enjoyed a small sandy beach on the northern end of String Lake with a bench to enjoy the view. With this short walk, you could even pack your towels and inflatable tubes to enjoy swimming at this picturesque spot.

  • Trailhead sign for Leigh Lake in a forested area with wooden steps leading uphill. Surrounded by tall green trees and grass, the sign features informational panels and a shingled roof.
    Leigh Lake Trailhead
  • A forest trail bordered by tall pine trees with two people walking. Sunlight filters through the trees, and a glimpse of a lake can be seen to the left. The path is surrounded by lush green foliage under a partly cloudy sky.
    Flat, easy trail
  • A person stands in shallow water, facing a scenic view of a tranquil lake surrounded by lush green trees and majestic mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.
    Leigh Lake Trail at 1/2 mile

Spend some time here and then continue on the trail another 1/2 mile or so to where the trail splits right to go to the Leigh Lake Canoe Portage area or left to continue toward the bridge crossing the Leigh Lake outlet.

A signpost near a lake with directions to String Lake Picnic Area (0.4 miles) and Leigh Lake Outlet (0.5 miles). The scene features a serene lake surrounded by lush forest and majestic mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
Sign at 1/2 mile mark

This is a beautiful area to explore.

Go right following the signs toward the portage area, and you’ll have views of Leigh Lake, a beautiful wildflower meadow, and a fun rock to climb. This was a quiet and beautiful area that not many seem to visit.

  • A serene lake view framed by tall pine trees and wooden logs on either side. The calm water reflects the clear blue sky, with forested hills visible in the background.
  • A person walks along a narrow path through a meadow filled with wildflowers, surrounded by tall pine trees. In the background, mountains with patches of snow rise under a cloudy sky.
  • A person sitting on a large, moss-covered boulder in a forest clearing, surrounded by trees and grass. The setting is serene and natural.

Leigh Lake Canoe Portage and Outlet Bridge

From the portage area, return to the trail junction and this time, take the trail leading to the bridge. Cross the bridge and have fun climbing the large boulders, skipping rocks, and listening to the sound of the roaring water.

We turned around after crossing the bridge and returned to the picnic area making our hike just over 2 miles roundtrip.

A person stands on a wooden bridge over a flowing river, surrounded by lush green trees under a partially cloudy sky.
Leigh Lake Outlet Bridge
A scenic mountain landscape with a meadow in the foreground, featuring wildflowers in various colors. Tall pine trees frame the scene, and snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Wildflowers on Leigh Lake Trail

If you want a longer hike, you can extend either of these trails.

From the Leigh Lake trailhead at the parking lot, you can hike 3.7 miles past the canoe portage area to the north end of Leigh Lake or you can cross the Leigh Lake Outlet bridge to loop around String Lake for a 3.4 mile roundtrip hike.

I’d like to return to hike the entire Leigh Lake trail with its impressive views of Mount Moran and more sandy beaches.

See NPS description of String and Leigh Lakes.

Directions To String Lake and Leigh Lake

From the Moose Entrance Station of Grand Teton National Park, drive north for 10 miles to the North Jenny Lake Junction.

Turn left here and take a right at the stop sign to follow the road to the String Lake area. 

Continue to the end of the road to park at the picnic area.

Map showing the Leigh Lake Trail in Grand Teton National Park. It includes trail distances, elevation at the trailhead (6,880 ft), and icons for campsites and hiking routes near Leigh Lake and String Lake.
Leigh Lake Trail Map. Courtesy of NPS.

Swimming In Jackson Lake At Colter Bay Picnic Area

If you can stomach the super cold water, Jackson Lake at Colter Bay Picnic Area is a beautiful place to swim with its crystal clear water and beautiful rocks.

It generally has a wide beach (varies each year), but it is rocky as is the bottom of the lake so wear swim shoes or sandals.

I guarantee the cold water will take your breath away!

  • People swimming in clear, shallow lake water against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and a blue, cloud-dotted sky. The rocky lakebed is visible under the water.
    The cold water of Jackson Lake at Colter Bay Picnic Area
  • A person floats peacefully in clear blue water with mountain peaks in the background. The water is calm, reflecting the surrounding landscape.
    Swimming in Jackson Lake

We have been swimming in Jackson Lake, Jenny Lake, Solitude Lake, and String Lake. All have been amazing experiences, but swimming in String Lake is definitely the most comfortable! Happy Trails and enjoy the Tetons!

Also going to Yellowstone? See our “Family Vacation To Yellowstone Itinerary.”

Similar Posts

A paved path runs through a forest, flanked by bare trees and leaves scattered on the ground. The sky is clear, indicating a crisp, sunny day, and the straight path extends into the distance, surrounded by nature.

Biking The Fantastic Swamp Rabbit Trail In South Carolina With Kids

ByAmanda Luhn Hours

Greenville’s Wonderful Swamp Rabbit Trail Is A Scenic Ride For The Whole Family The Swamp Rabbit…