Easy Hikes in Grand Teton National Park: How To Visit Leigh Lake & More

Amazing mountain views, very little elevation gain, and family-friendly with the chance to see some wildlife. These are the easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park you are looking for!

We are talking about the nice and easy shoreline hikes on the banks of String Lake and Leigh Lake that lead you to the smaller Bearpaw and Trapper Lakes. This trail even allows for a turnaround at any point.

Additionally, we recommend completing the Taggart Lake hike if you have not done so already. This trail is also on our list of easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park as part of our amazing 10-Day itinerary in Grand Teton/Yellowstone National Parks. Get the details below.

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Need to Know Info

• Get to Grand Teton National Park early! Aim for before or around 8 a.m. to snag a parking spot. We showed up around that time each day and never had trouble finding parking. As a bonus, the morning sun lights up the Tetons beautifully from behind you as you enter the park. It really is pure magic when the Tetons come into view. 😍
• An entrance fee is required at Grand Teton National Park. We recommend getting an annual pass. The pass expires after one year, but it usually pays for itself if you visit enough parks in one year.
  • Visit our gear page to purchase your America the Beautiful Pass online at REI’s website. In some cases, you can purchase an annual pass at the entrance of most parks. Plus, sometimes they have designated lanes for entry if you already have your pass!
• It’s best to visit the Grand Tetons during late June, July, or August. During these warmer months, you can hit the trails, and everything should be mostly snow-free along the trails in the higher elevations. Key word there…”should”.

String Lake Loop – 3.7 miles – loop

Start your day near the Jenny Lake Lodge at the String Lake/Leigh Lake parking area. This is a quick drive from Jackson Hole along Teton Park Road. Restrooms are located near the trailhead. Don’t forget, while hiking here, be bear aware.

Let’s hike. To complete the String Lake Loop, head toward the lake and travel north on the trail. After about 0.8 miles, you’ll reach the trail junction to head to Leigh Lake. If you only want to complete the 3.7-mile loop around String Lake, continue straight/left.

The trail begins climbing moderately up the hillside above String Lake and then descends as you make your way toward Jenny Lake, where the trail intersects with the Jenny Lake Loop. Take the trail left, to the north, to link back up with the String Lake Trail back to the parking lot.

Leigh Lake – 7.6 miles – out and back

Another one of the best easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park is the Leigh Lake Trail. As noted above, hike the String Lake Trail for about 0.8 miles until you reach the junction for Leigh Lake. Here, take the Leigh Lake Trail to the north, on your right.

Honestly, the views along the eastern shore of Leigh Lake are absolutely gorgeous. The water is clear, blue, and sometimes mirror-like, which leads to amazing photo opportunities. This was definitely our favorite easy hike in the Tetons.

As you hike on this mostly flat trail, be sure to stop and take in the views of Rockchuck Peak to the southwest, Mt. Woodring to the west, and Thor Mountain to the northwest. You can hike the shoreline trail as much or as little as you want. We recommend continuing the hike all the way to the end of the trail, which will lead you to Bearpaw Lake and Trapper Lake.

⛰️ Looking for a harder hike up into the mountains? Check out the Cascade Canyon Trail to Lake Solitude!

Bearpaw Lake & Trapper Lake – 9.8 miles – out and back

If you made it all the way to the end of Leigh Lake, you might as well continue on to Bearpaw Lake because it only adds a quick 2-2.2 miles to this hike. You’re already near the end of the trail, so go for it!

As you pass by Bearpaw Lake on the right, eventually the trail ends at Trapper Lake in an open meadow, and allows for spectacular views of Mount Moran in the distance. At this point, you have finished the hike!

Turn around and retrace your steps past these two small lakes and return via the Leigh Lake Trail, where more amazing scenery awaits as you travel in the opposite direction. If you brought your lunch to eat along the trail, there are some great spots along Leigh Lake and String Lake to have a picnic.

Taggart Lake

If you have been following our itinerary, you’ll know that we already completed the Taggart Lake hike during our first day in the Tetons, but we definitely think this should be on your list of easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park if you are looking for another one.

➡️ Get the details here on the Taggart Lake Hike, another easier hike in the Tetons!

Paddling The Lakes

If you are looking to get out on the water, String Lake and Leigh Lake are perfect spots to take your boat out. If you do so, your watercraft must be non-motorized. You must also obtain a permit for boating, and all watercraft must display a Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species decal and undergo inspection at a Grand Teton AIS inspection station.

🚣🏽‍♀️Get out on the water! Find out more about what you need to get out on the lakes here!

Animal Safety in Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park has a diverse range of animals living in the park. Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, bison, squirrels, snakes (not venomous!), marmots, and eagles are just a few of the animals you might see.

Always carry bear spray while hiking in the Tetons. Purchase your bear spray near the park in Jackson, or rent it from somewhere if you don’t plan on keeping it. Bear spray is NOT allowed on aircraft in checked or carry-on luggage. Make sure to review the steps to take if you encounter a bear during your adventure.

Before hiking, learn how to spot the difference between grizzly and black bears and what to do if you see one. That being said, it’s unlikely that you will have an aggressive animal encounter, but always be prepared. Do NOT leave food in your car!

🌲 Looking for tours and other fun things to do near Grand Teton National Park? Check out the fun options from Viator!

Safety and Weather in Grand Teton National Park

• Cell phone coverage could be spotty in certain areas of Grand Teton National Park.
• Don’t forget to bring your bug spray. Get our favorite here!
• Plan on letting a family member or friend who isn’t on the trip with you know where you’ll be each day while exploring. If you get lost, this will aid in your rescue.
• Water: Still using one-time-use plastic bottles? Let’s get more sustainable and carry a water bladder instead! It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking.
• Food: There are limited food options near the Grand Tetons. If you are looking for food here, your best bet is to travel back to Jackson Hole.
• The weather can vary depending on your location in the park. Higher elevation areas will be cooler, especially in and around the forested and shady areas of the park. You may even see snow at high elevations in the summer months. Be aware of afternoon thunderstorms and the threat of lightning from July through August. Check out the current conditions on the national park website.

Where to Stay Near Grand Teton National Park

Jackson Hole is the perfect spot to stay while spending 4 days in Grand Teton National Park. It’s also possible to stay a bit farther away in Victor, Idaho. Here are some of the top accommodations:

• Flat Creek Inn: This roadside motel is located directly across from the National Elk Refuge. Clean and comfortable. This is one of the closest hotels to Grand Teton National Park, situated just north of Jackson Hole. We had a great stay here during part of our trip! Book it here at Expedia or Booking.com.
• Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole: Just minutes from downtown. Rooms feature private fireplaces and views of Wyoming’s surrounding wild beauty. Pet-friendly, hot tub, and a restaurant is located on site. Check it out on Expedia or Booking.com.
• The Rockwell Inn: Luxury accommodations in Jackson Hole. Begin each day with a hearty breakfast. Free parking, an on-site pool and hot tub, and fresh-baked cookies in the afternoon. Reserve your room on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Cobblestone Hotel & Suites – Victor, ID: A newer hotel offering free breakfast. However, this hotel is about 1.5 hours from Grand Teton National Park. That being said, it’s possible it could be cheaper than others in Jackson Hole during the high season. We stayed here due to this exact reason. We loved it! Book your stay on Expedia or Booking.com.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! Some of the best easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park that you can complete during your national park adventure. These are also great for kids and families. We recommend getting to the trails as early as you can to secure parking. These are very popular areas in the park for good reason.

If you are hiking String Lake, please don’t skip over Leigh Lake. It is one of the most picturesque spots that we saw during our short 4 days here. Now, most importantly, bring bug spray. The mosquitoes along the shoreline trails here were very hungry and chased us the entire way. Get our favorite bug spray and head nets!

🛏️ Cookie COOKIE COOOOKIE! You like cookies, right? Get some every afternoon with a stay at The Rockwell Inn. 🍪