Rankin Ridge is at the southern boundary 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.