Claim: Goat Island is joined to the U.S. mainland.

Goat Island -LRB- previously called Iris Island -RRB- is a small island in the Niagara River , located in the middle of Niagara Falls between the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls . The island is at the southwest corner of the City of Niagara Falls -LRB- and of Niagara County -RRB- , New York , in the United States and is part of Niagara Falls State Park .   Goat Island has no residents , but is a popular destination for tourists visiting the falls on the U.S. side ; it offers some of the most spectacular views available there , in particular at Terrapin Point . Goat Island is connected to the U.S. mainland by two bridges carrying foot , car , and trackless train traffic , and to the smaller Luna Island -LRB- adjacent to the American Falls -RRB- by a pedestrian bridge . Goat island is largely wooded and is interlaced with foot trails . The Cave of the Winds tour elevator provides access down to the foot of the falls .