Wild Goose Island Lookout

The Wild Goose Island Lookout at Glacier National Park near Saint Mary, Montana is an easy 0.1-mile out-and-back walk that leads to a view of St. Mary Lake and the lone island, Wild Goose Island.

Explore views of Wild Goose Island

Wild Goose Island This short walk begins at the main parking lot located on the southwest side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The trailhead at the parking lot includes a universally-accessible lookout point with an adjacent unofficial trail that leads down into the scarcely-populated evergreen forest. Visitors can choose to follow the trail downhill further to reach another overlook; however, the view from the trailhead and just down the dirt path is just as good if not better, as the view provides higher elevation to see Wild Goose Island. Regardless of where you choose to enjoy the view from, Wild Goose Island sits just below sitting alone in Saint Mary Lake with towering ramparts of alpine mountains that surround the lake's border. The view of the island includes light-blue hues of Saint Mary Lake, which can be especially vibrant during sunny days.

The Shining

Visitors who are familiar with the 1980 psychological horror film The Shining may remember the opening scene in the movie, which starts with a fly-over of Wild Goose Island. The intro to The Shining includes many other shots from the Going-to-the-Sun Road as well.

Parking

Visitors will find a large parking turnout along the southwest side of Going-to-the-Sun Road at the coordinates provided. The turnout has enough spaces to accommodate over a couple dozen vehicles as of September 2024.

Vehicle Reservations

Depending on what time of year you visit, you may need to reserve a vehicle entrance pass to get into the park, in addition to a park entry fee (or annual National Parks pass). Before planning this hike, ensure you've checked the NPS website for when and where Glacier NP vehicle reservations are required.

Pets

Dogs are not allowed on any trails at Glacier National Park.

Warning

Grizzly bears: This trail can be frequented by grizzly bears, especially in late Summer and early Fall as they scrounge for 20 hours/day bulking for the winter. Always give wild animals plenty of space, including several hundred feet for grizzlies. It's best to bring bear spray on this hike as a last defense just in case a grizzly were to charge at you. Always make plenty of noise while hiking to alert animals to your presence long before you see them. It's also smart to hike with another person.

Know Before You Go

Wild Goose Island Lookout is an easily accessible, 0.1-mile walk offering stunning views of Wild Goose Island and St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park.
The lookout point is universally accessible, but be aware of an unofficial trail leading downhill; the higher view is often considered better.
Visitors should be aware of potential grizzly bear encounters, especially in late summer/fall, and should carry bear spray, make noise, and hike with a companion.