Post #1: Forest Animals

Post #1 marks the beginning of the Rankin Ridge Trail at Wind Cave National Park.

NPS Photo / Anania Tekurio

Quick Facts

Amenities

2 listed

Parking - Auto, Trailhead

Rankin Ridge is in the southern part of the Black Hills, where fingers of the forest and prairie interlace. Look for red squirrels, porcupines, woodpeckers and turkeys in the forest. You may see mule deer, elk, coyotes, cottontails, and hawks that range through both forest and prairie. On the prairie surrounding Rankin Ridge, bison, prairie dogs, and meadowlarks may be present. As you walk the trail please be aware that bison, prairie rattlesnakes and poison ivy may be encountered.