Just off Going to the Sun Road is Wild Goose Island, one of Glacier National Park’s most photographed spots. Read the island’s folk tale & view its best photos.
The best pictures of this famous island are taken during sunrise–but you have to get there early. The first photographers arrive before 5AM!
Sadly, even though I camped at Glacier National Park’s St. Mary’s Campground for 2 nights, which is a a 10 minute drive from Goose Island, I never got up early enough to take sunrise pictures.
That said, I think some of these pictures are somewhat decent and worth sharing with you.
But, first…
Wild Goose Island Folk Tale
Wild Goose Island is in the middle of St. Mary Lake. A long, long time ago, two native tribes resided on opposite sides of St. Mary’s. Even though they seldom fought, they had no interaction.
One day, a strikingly handsome warrior from one tribe noticed a beautiful woman on the other swimming toward the island. He couldn’t resist her beauty immediately swam to meet her on the island. The two met, clicked instantly, spoke for hours, and became engaged. They promised to meet again tomorrow morning on the island and each swam home.
Upon reaching their tribal shores, they realized they had created a massive problem. Each tribe’s elders demanded that the engagement be broken off.
Well, the two lovers didn’t agree and met each other the next morning on the island. After a quick discussion, they decided to run away and find their own land to marry and live.
When the tribal elders found out, they sent war parties to retreive their members and were determined to bring them home, no matter wha the cost.
Thankfully, the Great Spirit had kept its eyes on the two lovers. Taking pity on them, he transformed them into geese so they could fly away and be together forever.
When the tribal warriors arrived on the island, all they found were two geese, tenderly rubbing necks. They flew away and never returned.
From then on, the small island in the center of St. Mary’s Lake in Glacier National Park was known as Wild Goose Island.
Best Wild Goose Island Photos
Below are the best pictures and photos I have taken of this highly photographed island in Glacier National Park. I hope you love some of these images and they send your heart aflutter thinking about this majestic, magical place.
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My best Wild Goose Island picture |
This is far and away the best Wild Goose picture I took while on my Glacier National Park vacation. Sad, I know. I couldn’t wake up for the sunrise, so it’s a mediocre picture compared to some.
Still, it’s not terrible, right?
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Allyson and I at the island |
A nice lady took this picture of Allyson and I at the island’s overlook. It’s one of my favorite pictures of us in Glacier National Park.
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Cool picture of Goose Island |
I think this angle is pretty cool. The mountain on the right draws your eye to St. Mary Lake and the island
If only I had gotten up for the morning light. Oh, well.
Next are two photos from the same location but with a slightly different perspective.
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St. Mary’s Lake |
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That’s one tribe’s shore in the Wild Goose Island folk tale |
That concludes the pictures of Goose Island in Glacier National Park. Hope you enjoyed!
Time to head back from
Wild Goose Island Photos to Glacier National Park Travel Guide
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