Leigh Lake
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
This is prime grizzly and black bear country. Carry bear spray, keep it accessible (not buried in your pack), and make noise on blind corners through the forested sections between String and Leigh Lakes.
Afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast during July and August. The exposed lakeshore offers zero shelter — if you see dark clouds building over the Tetons, head back to the tree cover along the trail before lightning arrives.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
The String Lake parking lot fills by 9:30 AM in July and August — arrive before 8 or plan to park at the Jenny Lake lot and walk the short connector trail north, which adds about 15 minutes each way.
Keep hiking past the first beach access at Leigh Lake's southern tip. The views from a half-mile further up the eastern shore are dramatically better — Mount Moran fills the frame without tree obstruction, and you'll likely have the shoreline to yourself.
Bring a lightweight camp chair or sit pad. The rocky beaches at Leigh Lake are made for long stays, and the flat granite slabs along the shore catch afternoon sun perfectly. A polarizing filter on your camera will cut the lake glare and reveal the turquoise water beneath.
Photos
NPS Photo/A. Falgoust
