Wild Goose Island |Saint Mary Lake

Glacier National Park

A Montana Legend

Here's an image of Wild Goose Island in the middle of Saint Mary Lake at twilight. Just after the sun has set. Those iconic mountians in silhouette. Wild Goose Island is a tiny speck of land that dots the waters of Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park. The island rises only 14 feet from the surface of the water yet is in the center of one of the most often photographed locations along the world-famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.

If you have seen a photograph of Saint Mary Lake with the jagged mountain peaks rising all around a glassy lake, this is more than likely that image. If you’ve seen “The Shining”, it is Saint Mary Lake and Wild Goose Island that is depicted during the opening sequence to the film. Yay. Love all things 'Shining'

Wild Goose Island Viewpoint is the spot that most of those images where made. A pull-off from Going-To-The-Sun Road, the viewpoint offers one of those truly iconic National Parks scenes that rank up there with Tunnel View at Yosemite, Hopi Point at Grand Canyon as well as Lower Falls from Artist’s Point at Yellowstone. True iconic images of the Park System. These are images we’ve seen since childhood on postcards and wall calendars. They have the impact to spark feelings of grandeur and magnificence and played a significant role in these locations becoming protected as National Parks, and in drawing interested visitors each year by the millions.