Holly Lake

A strenuous trail up Paintbrush Canyon leads hikers to Holly Lake.

NPS Photo/A. Falgoust

Head into Paintbrush Canyon for a strenuous 13 mile hike to Holly Lake. Starting at the String Lake Trailhead, cross the bridge over the String Lake outlet, and continue along the western side of the lake. Follow Paintbrush Canyon up until you reach the Holly Lake junction. From there, it’s another half mile to the lake. This hike offers panoramic views of Paintbrush Canyon and Leigh and Jackson Lakes below.

Details

Duration

7-9 Hours

Holly Lake is a strenuous, 12.8 mi (20.5 km) RT out and back hike with 2,840 ft (870 m) of elevation gain.

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

A general fee is charged to enter Grand Teton National Park.

Location

String Lake

Park at the String and Leigh Lakes Trailhead for access to the Holly Lake Trail.

Reservations

No

Permits are required for those planning to stay overnight in the backcountry. Visit the backcountry page to learn about obtaining a permit.

Season

Summer, Fall

Holly Lake is best accessed in summer after the snow melts and in fall before the first snow arrives. Hikers should use caution when traveling over snow and not attempt Holly Lake unless they have previous snow experience and the proper equipment.

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

Holly Lake is a strenuous, 12.8 mi (20.5 km) RT out and back hike with 2,840 ft (870 m) of elevation gain and an average slope of 11%. The trail includes significant elevation gain and obstacles such as exposed roots and rocks, bridge crossings, and steep, narrow sections.