Valerie is a widowed single mother and a park ranger who recently relocated from St. Louis. She carries the grief of losing her husband, Joel, in a climbing rescue accident at Yosemite. Dedicated to her career and her seven-year-old son, Charlie, she possesses a strong military-like discipline and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. Her instinct to protect vulnerable people puts her at odds with the unwelcoming local community.

In 1909, Olive is an eleven-year-old girl living in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. Following the death of her father, she lives in constant fear of her cruel stepfather, Tesco Peele. She is exceptionally bright, articulate, and observant, traits she uses to survive on the edges of society. In 1990, Budgie is an elderly local woman and former state politician whose sudden disappearance alarms her grandchildren.

E. Niles Lockridge is an immensely wealthy and influential businessman in the area around Talihina in 1909. He uses his political power and financial resources to manipulate local guardianship laws. By establishing himself as the legal guardian for young Choctaw children, he gains control over their valuable timber and oil properties.

Alton is a prominent local businessman who owns Parker Construction in 1990. He is well-connected and highly respected by the residents near the Winding Stair Mountains. He assumes legal guardianship of Sydney and Braden, granting him access to their family land, which borders the newly established national park.

Sydney is an eleven- or twelve-year-old girl of Choctaw heritage living in a foster home managed by Mrs. Wambles. She is highly talkative and possesses a reputation for spinning tall tales and exaggerating the truth. Despite her difficult circumstances, she is observant and uses her storytelling to cope with the sudden absences of her grandmother and mother.

Nessa and Hazel are Choctaw sisters who were taken in by Keyes Radley before his death. In 1909, six-year-old Nessa is shy and deeply fearful of forest folklore, relying heavily on Olive for protection. Thirteen-year-old Hazel ran away from home shortly before the events of the novel begin. Both girls are targeted by the adults around them for their land allotments.

Dewey is a young, wayward boy who lives on the edges of society in 1909 after child labor laws prevent him from working in the mines. He approaches survival with a trickster mentality, perfectly willing to steal and manipulate to get by. He travels with a worn pocketknife and carves his misspelled name into trees throughout the region.

Curtis is an officer for the Choctaw National Tribal Police in 1990. He lives in a charming house with a litter of border collie puppies and holds a deep understanding of the region's complicated history. He is empathetic, observant, and willing to assist Valerie in her duties when local law enforcement proves uncooperative.

Braden is a red-headed high school teenager who recently took a job with Parker Construction. He aspires to join the military or become a pilot, having attended a JROTC camp. When his grandmother goes missing, he leaves his sister behind to uncover the truth, living off the grid in the national park.

Tesco is Olive's cruel and superstitious stepfather in 1909. He works as a foreman for the wealthy landowner E. Niles Lockridge and lives on his estate. He uses physical and verbal abuse to maintain control over his household, relying on frightening folklore to keep the children obedient.

Charlie is Valerie's seven-year-old son in 1990. He enjoys exploring the outdoors and takes an active interest in his mother's work in the national park. He uses an instant camera to document their hikes and easily makes friends with the neighbors.

Joel is Valerie's late husband who died in a rescue accident at Yosemite National Park before his son was born. His memory continues to influence Valerie's approach to her life and career.

Tula is a Choctaw girl who lives in the woods with her two younger siblings after their family land was taken from them. She creates a makeshift home inside the trunk of a large tree and resourcefully gathers berries and greens to trade for food.

Amos is a Choctaw boy who lost his family property to deceptive adults. He travels with Dewey and approaches conflict with a gentle, diplomatic attitude. He acts as a peacemaker when tensions rise within the group of displaced children.

Mrs. Grube is a progressive, politically active woman living in an isolated forest home in 1909. She quietly leaves food for the displaced children in the woods and desires to be part of the growing women's rights movement.

Jade is the mother of Sydney and Braden. She struggles with substance use and leaves her children in the care of their grandmother for years at a time, only returning when she needs money.

Rachel is a college student in Oklahoma City who travels to the Winding Stair Mountains to help her boyfriend Braden. She rents a motel room and scouts local bars to gather information.

Roy is a twenty-one-year-old seasonal employee for the national park. He is a local who understands the region's complex history and advises Valerie to avoid causing a fuss with the park leadership.

Edwin is a seasonal summer employee for the national park in 1990. He learns the ropes of park patrols from the older rangers and conducts horseback patrols in remote areas.

Kate Barnard is the Oklahoma state commissioner of charities and corrections. She is a passionate and persuasive public speaker who advocates for children's welfare and labor protections, inspiring the young girls in her audience.

Keyes Radley is the man Olive knew as her father before his death. He worked for the wealthy landowner E. Niles Lockridge and chose to shelter displaced Choctaw children rather than follow his employer's dark commands.

Mrs. Wambles runs a foster home in Talihina in 1990. She is dismissive of the children in her care and views Valerie's inquiries as an annoyance. She frequently repeats inaccurate local gossip.

Pinti is a Choctaw child living in the woods with her siblings after the loss of their family land. She relies heavily on her older sister Tula for food and direction.

Koi is the youngest of the three Choctaw siblings living in the woods. He is small and vulnerable, prompting Olive to intervene when a railway worker throws coal at him.

Mr. Grube is a railway worker in 1909 who spends long stretches of time away from home. He is a traditionalist who opposes his wife's desires to participate in women's clubs or travel independently.

Mr. Brotherton is a newspaper journalist who covers Kate Barnard's political tour. He takes a professional interest in the displaced children camping near Talihina and agrees to document their story to raise awareness.

Joanie is a local woman who works multiple jobs, including as a playground attendant and a server at Sardis Shores Cafe. She regularly shares local gossip with Valerie but struggles to keep the details consistent.

Mr. Wouda is a research librarian who helps Valerie uncover the historical context of the Winding Stair Mountains. He provides her with information regarding early female political activists.

The Chief Ranger manages the staff at Horsethief Trail National Park. He prioritizes a smooth park opening over investigating old mysteries, actively discouraging his staff from drawing unwanted attention to federal land.