About this Location

Facility Overview

The String Lake Parking Lot serves as a premier access point within the iconic Grand Teton National Park, situated along the scenic String Lake Road between Jenny Lake and Leigh Lake. Configured as an open-air paved surface lot integrated naturally into the surrounding pine forests, this facility accommodates day-use visitors, hikers, paddlers, and picnic enthusiasts. Because it is an open-air surface area, there are no overhead height barriers or vertical clearance restrictions, making it suitable for passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs equipped with roof racks, kayak cradles, or rooftop cargo boxes. However, oversized motorhomes and vehicle-trailer combinations should heed designated length restrictions during peak summer months, as standard vehicle stalls dominate the lot and turning radiuses can become tight when congested.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Nestled directly against the foot of the dramatic Teton Range, String Lake Parking Lot puts outdoor explorers steps away from some of Wyoming’s most breathtaking natural landmarks:

String Lake & Canoe Launch: Located just yards from the parking bay, providing immediate water access for stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and family-friendly swimming in shallow, sun-warmed waters.
Leigh Lake Trailhead: Directly connected via a level 0.9-mile scenic forest path northward to Leigh Lake and portage points.
Paintbrush Canyon & Cascade Canyon Loop: An essential starting point for strenuous backcountry treks into Upper Paintbrush Canyon, Holly Lake, and the Paintbrush-Cascade loop.
Jenny Lake Scenic Area: Situated approximately 3 miles south, featuring boat shuttles, the Jenny Lake Visitor Center, Hidden Falls, and Inspiration Point.
Signal Mountain & Jackson Lake: Located roughly 10 miles north along Teton Park Road, offering marina facilities, dining, and panoramic summit lookouts.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Access to the lot is via Teton Park Road, turning onto Jenny Lake Road (one-way section connects nearby) and following signs toward String Lake and Leigh Lake. Ingress and egress operate via a continuous paved loop designed to streamline one-way vehicular movement through parking lanes and designated drop-off areas. There is no scheduled public transit or municipal rail serving this wilderness area; personal vehicles, rental cars, chartered tour vans, and organized shuttle services are the primary forms of arrival. The lot connects cleanly back to U.S. Route 191/89/26 via the Moran or Moose park entrance stations. Note that String Lake Road is subject to winter closures, typically accessible to motor vehicle traffic only from May through late October or early November depending on seasonal snowfall.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Stalls: Paved, delineated regular parking spaces tucked within forested medians.
Watercraft Loading Zone: Dedicated short-term loading and unloading areas near the water’s edge for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Restroom Facilities: Clean, ADA-accessible vault toilets located conveniently at the edge of the parking area.
Wildlife Safety Infrastructure: Bear-proof trash receptacles and food storage lockers (bear boxes) available at picnic sites.
Accessible Parking: Designated ADA-compliant stalls adjacent to paved pathways leading directly to the picnic tables and shoreline.
Picnic Grounds: Shaded picnic tables and grills situated between the parking area and the lake shore.

Ideal For

Paddlers & Kayakers: Outdoor recreationists seeking calm, non-motorized waters with minimal portage distance from trunk to shore.
Backcountry & Day Hikers: Hikers embarking on the String Lake Loop (3.7 miles), Leigh Lake shoreline, or heading into deep backcountry canyons.
Families & Swimmers: Visitors looking for the safest, most accessible, and warmest lake waters in the Jackson Hole and Grand Teton region.
Landscape Photographers: Nature photographers aiming to capture early morning reflections of Mount Moran and the Cathedral Group across calm waters.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During the peak summer season (late June through August), String Lake is one of the most heavily visited locations in Grand Teton National Park. The parking lot routinely fills to maximum capacity by 9:30 AM and remains congested until around 3:30 PM. To secure a stall without circling, plan to arrive before 9:00 AM or consider an early-evening visit after 4:30 PM for spectacular golden-hour light and thinning crowds. While parking is free at the lot, all vehicles must display a valid Grand Teton National Park Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass on their dashboard. Lastly, observe strict food storage regulations: never leave coolers, food, scented toiletries, or trash unattended in open truck beds or visible inside locked cars.