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Rankin Ridge Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.4 (10)
  1. Areas
  2. SD
  3. …Western S. Dakota
  4. …Custer
  5. Wind Cave National Park
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“Fantastic views of Wind Cave National Park await those who climb Rankin Ridge. ”

Hunter R
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Map Key

1.0

Miles

1.6

KM

Loop

4,980' 1,518 m

High

4,765' 1,452 m

Low

214' 65 m

Up

215' 66 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Family Friendly Kids will enjoy the views atop Lookout Tower.

Description

Make sure to bring your camera along for the wonderful photo opportunities to be had atop Rankin Ridge.

Starting at the Rankin Ridge Trail Parking Area, head east along the trail, climbing moderately through patchy coniferous forests to the ridge-top. Atop the ridge, climb to the Lookout Tower Overlook for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

After taking in your fantastic surroundings, climb down from the tower and continue along, descending moderate grades back into the forest until reaching the trail's end near the parking area.

Flora & Fauna

For an in-depth look into the natural history, flora, and fauna of this area, check out the Rankin Ridge Nature Guide, also available at the trailhead.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Wind Cave National Park

Shared By:

Hunter R
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 10 votes

#1

in Wind Cave National Park

#7378

Overall
  4.4 from 10 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Wind Cave National Park

#25

in South Dakota

#7,378

Overall
3 Views Last Month
734 Since Oct 1, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
22%
44%
22%
11%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Looking east from Rankin Ridge Trail
Dec 3, 2018 near Pringle, SD
Bison seen near the Rankin Ridge Trailhead
Dec 26, 2018 near Pringle, SD

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 8, 2024
Lara Verbecken
Jun 6, 2024
Lara Verbecken
May 25, 2024
Christian Graves
Tower was closed 1.1mi — 0h 21m
Oct 25, 2022
Erin Cafagna
Oct 23, 2022
Stephen Pack
Jun 4, 2022
Kristy Van
granite, some pink. good lookout to east. a little hazy, but Badlands is out there. saw 3 bison in a grassy field. then, further north, a whole her…
May 25, 2022
John Eversmeyer
1.1mi — 0h 41m
Oct 20, 2021
Keri Chipman
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