Leigh and String Lakes Visitor Use Study at Grand Teton National Park

Project ID: P17AC00106

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Oregon State University

Fiscal Year: 2017

Initial Funding: $463,485

Total Funding: $463,485

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Social

National Park: Grand Teton National Park

Principal Investigator: D'Antonio, Ashley

Agreement Technical Representative: Newton, Jennifer

Abstract: String and Leigh Lakes are located within Grand Teton National Park (GRTE). String Lake is a very popular area for recreational paddling, swimming/wading, picnicking, and day hiking. Leigh Lake is popular for recreational paddling, day hiking, and backcountry camping. GRTE
staff has observed a substantially large increase in visitation at String Lake over the last several years. With these increases in visitation, park staff has seen an escalation in parking demand and an expansion of resource impacts, especially along the shores of String Lake and areas adjacent to the existing parking lots. The project will address public purpose by focusing on visitor use and experience in the areas surrounding Leigh and String Lakes, but may be expanded to include northern Jenny Lake, Bearpaw Lake, Trapper Lake, Paintbrush Canyon, and Holly Lake. This project will investigate and provide park management with information on: 1) vehicle dynamics in String and Leigh Lakes parking areas, 2) ecological resource impacts associated with increased visitation along parking areas, shorelines, trail systems, and campsites, and 3) current and desired social conditions within the study area.