The mountain goat’s fluffy white coat, distinct horns and scraggly beard make them a standout species in Glacier National Park. But their appearance isn’t the only thing that’s earned them a place in our hearts. Here are a few more things to know and love about these iconic animals.
The name “goat” brings to mind cute little creatures in a petting zoo or trendy yoga class. But the Rocky Mountain goat species (Oreamnos americanus) is more closely related to the chamois, musk ox and Japanese serow than its domesticated relatives. These bovid goat-antelope mammals, native to the Rocky Mountain range of Canada and the United States, are cloven-footed climbers who can scale impressive heights in high alpine habitats.
They are foraging herbivores who feed on the abundant buffet of Glacier’s flora. Since alpine flowers, native grasses and sedges make up their diet, it's not uncommon to see them alongside popular hiking trails or scaling the sidewalls of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. But at the first sign of threat, these nimble goats will scale near-vertical cliffs to avoid their natural predators — which include cougars, wolves and bears.
When food is sparse in the winter, they live alone at extreme altitudes. They climb high up where steep cliffs shed snow and cold-hardy vegetation is theirs for the taking. When Glacier’s summer tourists arrive to enjoy fresh blooms, the goats descend from their winter heights and rejoin the subalpine slopes.
Around the same time that Glacier National Park was established, the Great Northern Railroad was charting new paths westward. And in 1921, the railroad unveiled Rocky the Goat in their trademarked logo, paying homage to the creatures who charge through the rugged, rocky terrain just like the locomotive. The Great Northern Railroad and Glacier National Park’s overlapping histories have been intertwined ever since, making the railroad’s official mascot the unofficial ambassador of the national park, too.
Over the years, legend and lore have tangled with fact, and images and stories of goats are everywhere in the Crown of the Continent. From breweries to coffee roasters to Glacier National Pizza and Golfing to the Sun Mini Golf, Montana businesses have embraced the goat’s image.
Goats aren’t particularly shy, so spotting goats in Glacier National Park is common. Unlike many of the other Glacier critters who scare easily at the sight of humans (bears, moose, and the elusive wolverine, to name a few), goats lack a “flight” response and tend to stick around when crowds gather.
The sure-fire way to see a mountain goat on display is at Glacier’s visitor centers (there’s a pretty famous stationary goat at Glacier Park Lodge, too). For those who want to spot more lively goats in the wild, there are several places almost guaranteed to have goats on-the-go. Try the aptly named Goat Lick Overlook for an easy pit stop. Or if you’d rather hike like the nimble-footed goats themselves, try Hidden Lake Trail for a moderate adventure or Grinnell Glacier Trail for a more challenging trek.
Goats love a salty treat to supplement their grassy diet, and they’ll seek out snacks in mineral rich soil and watershed areas. An unfortunate human-animal adaptation has trained goats to gather in popular parking areas where vehicles leave a trace of enticing tastes. The Logan Pass Visitor Center often has goats gathered nearby, so while you’re circling for a parking spot, they’re often circling for a treat.
As goats get more used to humans, it’s important that proper etiquette is observed. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife and let them go about their business. And never feed wildlife, either! If an unintentionally close encounter occurs, stand your ground, make noise and try to shoo the animal away. The National Park Service has guidelines for safely watching wildlife, so know before you go.
TIP: Since Glacier National Park is bonafide “Bear Country,” it’s best to be bear aware, too!
According to park biologists, frequent mountain goat sightings are an indicator of a healthy ecosystem, so take that picture and tell their stories when you get back home. Getting a glimpse of mountain goats in their natural habitat is a bucket-list thrill, and it’s one that is synonymous with Glacier Country, since the park boasts the largest population in the lower 48.
Of the 70-plus mammal species in Glacier National Park, the iconic Rocky Mountain goat stands (and climbs) above the rest. Come seek them out for yourself and stay with us in Montana.
