Glacier's unofficial mascot thrives where few other large animals can stand. Montana remains one of the last places in the Lower 48 where wild animals still roam at scale.

Mountain goats are not true goats but a unique alpine species.

What sets it apart

They cling to near-vertical cliffs to escape predators. That detail is easy to overlook, but it helps explain the pull this place has on Montanans and visitors alike.

Logan Pass is one of the most reliable places to see them.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern Rockies and the people drawn to them. Give these animals room, and the reward is a glimpse of a wilder, older America.