A Surprise Proposal Photoshoot at Wild Goose Island in Glacier National Park + Tips for Planning Your Own
There is no shortage of epic proposal spots in Glacier National Park, but Wild Goose Island is among the best.
You might think I’m saying that because it’s a stunning overlook of Saint Mary Lake with iconic mountain views, but when you’re trying to pull off a surprise proposal, I’d argue a pretty view is only half the battle. You also need a believable reason to get your partner there, a place for your photographer to secretly hang out with a camera, and enough planning to make sure everyone ends up in the right place at the right time.
Wild Goose Island just happens to make all of that pretty dang easy!
Dustin and Victoria’s proposal is the perfect example! What started as a carefully planned June proposal turned into a frantic phone call from Dustin’s mom, a last-minute date change, and me cosplaying as a landscape photographer at the overlook while we waited for them to arrive. Everything went off without a hitch, and Victoria was SO surprised. Success!
So let me show you how we pulled it off, plus everything you should know if you’re considering Wild Goose Island for your own Glacier National Park proposal!
Why Wild Goose Island Makes the Perfect Proposal Spot
Wild Goose Island is a teeny tiny patch of land – less than one acre in size — that sticks just 14 feet out of Saint Mary Lake. It’s a protected area, so you can’t actually visit the island. But that’s no problem because this little tree-covered island is best viewed from the Wild Goose Island Overlook (sometimes also called Lookout)!
One quick peek at Google Images will show you why it’s an incredible spot to pop the question, but there are also quite a few practical perks to planning a proposal here, too.
It’s easily accessible from Saint Mary via the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
It’s easy to get to the Wild Goose Island Overlook from the East Entrance of Glacier National Park! Enter the park from St. Mary and take the Going-to-the-Sun Road west about 6.5 miles. You’ll see signs for the overlook and the paved parking area – it’s hard to miss!
If you’re coming from the West Entrance, it’s about 40 miles along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. But don’t be fooled, this drive could easily take 3-4 hours! It’s a windy mountain pass with lots of wildlife crossings and tourists stopping and going for photos (you’ll probably want to, too).
For a surprise proposal, I do recommend staying closer to East Glacier for this photoshoot location to make it easy, but you could turn it into an all-day road trip if you want to explore!
You get classic, big Glacier views with no hiking involved.
The views from the Wild Goose Island Overlook are some of the best you’ll find, especially just a few steps away from parking. It’s a little gravel landing framed by pine trees, and at the right time of year, the area is dotted with yellow and white wildflowers. Not only does Saint Mary Lake glisten in all its glory, but you also get 180-degree views of three huge mountain peaks. You can’t beat it!
Even if you’re a couple who loves hiking, I usually recommend saving the big hike for another part of your trip if you want the actual proposal photographed. A roadside location gives us way more control over timing and makes it easier for me to secretly get into position before you arrive!
It’s close to other epic engagement photo locations.
Your proposal location does not have to be your only engagement photo location! Wild Goose Island sits in an incredible part of Glacier National Park. So once the secret is officially out, we can go explore!
The Saint Mary Lake area alone gives us tons of options:
- Rising Sun area: Specifically, the Rising Sun Picnic Area Shoreline puts you right on the shores of the lake. It has a great campground, an inn, a restaurant, a camp store, and a dock where you can meet the Glacier Park Boat Company for a scenic boat cruise on the lake!
- Sun Point: Further down the road is Sun Point, a sweeping scenic overlook that is an extremely popular spot for Glacier wedding ceremonies and tourists alike! There’s a reason everyone stops here. The views are killer!
- Baring Falls: If you want to switch up lake views for a waterfall, Baring Falls is a 0.7-mile round trip hike from Sun Point. It’s an easy walk and a great view if you want some more privacy you won’t find at the big overlooks.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road Pullouts: There are also plenty of pullouts along the main road you can explore. Hire a local Glacier National Park photographer and ask them their favorite spots — we’ve all got them!
Dustin and Victoria’s Wild Goose Island Surprise Proposal Story
Dustin first reached out to me in the late winter months to start planning a surprise June proposal to his girlfriend, Victoria. Dustin was in med school and was SO excited to share this moment with her in Glacier. We picked a date, got him booked, and started planning everything out.
And then, about a month before the session...Dustin’s mom called me frantically. He had matched for his residency. YAY!!! Except there was one slight problem. He had to start his residency the exact day of our planned proposal.
Dustin couldn't call me himself because he was sitting right next to Victoria (poor man was PANICKING!)
So as soon as he found out, he had his mom secretly call me to see if there was any chance we could make the proposal happen a few days earlier. Luckily, I was able to squeeze them in, and truly, it couldn’t have been more perfect!
Why Dustin Chose Wild Goose Island in Glacier National Park
Dustin chose Wild Goose Island as his proposal location with some coaxing from his mom. Obviously, it’s a stunning spot to ask someone to marry you. BUT there was another reason she wanted him to do it here.
Wild Goose Island actually has a deeply romantic story attached to it. According to an old Native American folk legend, two young lovers from rival tribes on opposite sides of the lake would secretly meet on the tiny islet. Because their families disapproved, they decided to meet and run away together. When the tribes found out, they rushed to the island to stop them. Feeling pity for the lovers and knowing geese mate for life, the Great Spirit turned them into geese so they could escape together.
And while Dustin and Victoria's family were so overjoyed for them and definitely approved of their love, the old folk legend was a sweet way to share a proposal story.
How We Planned Their Surprise Proposal
Before the night of the session, I spoke to Dustin about the details of the plan. He’d bring Victoria and his family to Wild Goose Island Overlook to watch the sunset. Dustin would head down the rocky gravel area at the time of the proposal, and I’d already be in place with my tripod, cosplaying as a landscape photographer with a tripod!
About 20 minutes before the session, I set up in my spot, along with my good friend Christina Adele Photography (another Glacier elopement photographer) who was second shooting with me. Moments before Dustin and Victoria got there, about 15 people showed up to the viewpoint as well — all with cameras in hand. In the end, we were about as inconspicuous as you could be!
He was able to make his way down to the spot, got down on one knee, and Victoria was SO surprised! She didn’t have a clue. Success!
Exploring for Some More Glacier National Park Engagement Photos
Of course, we took our time at Wild Goose Island for some engagement photos right after he proposed! But we continued on with portraits, stopping at various places along the Going-to-the-Sun Road!
We were working our way back to St. Mary's when we spotted some wildflowers along the road. We parked, wandered down a rocky path, and found a private nook right on the lake for some of my favorite photos of the entire shoot. It was such a magical night. We got the prettiest early-summer colors and one heck of a sunset! Here’s what Victoria had to say when all was said and done:
“Your work is incredible and breathtaking!! It was such a fun experience. You made it such a fun and easy photoshoot. I really couldn't have asked for better. Thank you, Jennifer!!!”
What to Know Before Planning a Wild Goose Island Proposal
Access depends on Going-to-the-Sun Road conditions.
There is no set date when the Going-to-the-Sun Road officially opens. It changes year to year, depending on snowfall and other weather conditions. Generally, I’d say the full road is typically open by early July and usually remains completely open into October. So winter is fully a no-go.
Sometimes it opens earlier, sometimes it closes earlier! You can monitor the road closures on the official Glacier National Park website here. If you are planning a proposal at Wild Goose Island in shoulder seasons, just make sure you have a backup plan (which I can help with, of course).
Sunrise or sunset is the best time of day.
Wild Goose Island is an extremely popular place to catch sunrise in Glacier National Park, especially for landscape photographers! But, personally, I think it’s also the best place for sunset. In fact, when it comes to planning a surprise proposal here, I’d suggest sunset over and over again.
In the summer months, sunrise can be as early as 5:00 am, which would be a pretty early morning for your unsuspecting partner haha! On the other hand, sunset can be as late as 9:45 pm. That means you can easily meet at Wild Goose Island in the evening and still have plenty of soft, golden light as we explore the surrounding areas for engagement photos.
You probably won’t have the overlook entirely to yourself.
In fact, I’d almost guarantee you won’t. The National Park Service calls Wild Goose Island one of Glacier's most recognizable views, and the overlook is easy to access directly from the road.
If having absolutely nobody around for your proposal is your number-one priority, I have other locations I'd probably recommend before this one. But as Dustin and Victoria proved, sometimes a crowd of camera-wielding tourists actually makes my job easier.
And just remember, we can always sneak off to more private spots post-proposal!
My Top Tip: Reach out to a Glacier National Park Photographer for help planning!
Noooo, I’m not just saying this because I am one. Truthfully, some local knowledge and experience planning photoshoots will go a long way when planning. Especially if you’re coming from out-of-state or feeling nervous about how to pull off a surprise!
Once you decide that you want to propose in Glacier National Park and want it photographed, the next thing you should do is reach out to an engagement or elopement photographer.
Most of my clients don’t come to me with a full plan, which is for the best! I can give you the tips and tricks for the best spots to propose and how I can secretly get there, but also ideas for where to explore, eat, stay, and more!
That's allllll part of the fun!
I've photographed all over Glacier, so if Wild Goose Island isn't right for what you're envisioning, I have plenty of ideas up my sleeve, too.
Still in research mode? I have an entire blog to help you get started → How to Plan a Surprise Proposal in Glacier National Park
Ready to start scheming?! → Reach out here and we can start planning your proposal!
Keep scrolling for more of Victoria and Dustin's surprise proposal photos in Glacier National Park!
