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#9 on this list
Cumberland Island
Georgia
Wild horses, empty beaches, and maritime forest before the heat.
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#10 on this list
Black Hills
South Dakota
Ponderosa country waking up; bison calves at Custer State Park.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Cumberland Island | Black Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Camden County, Georgia | — |
| Designation | National Seashore and Wilderness Area | — |
| Access | Passenger ferry from St. Marys or private boat | — |
| May Temperatures | Highs around 82°F, lows around 65°F | Highs in the low-to-mid 60s, lows near 35°F |
| Daily Visitor Cap | Approximately 300 visitors per day | — |
| Campground Types | Frontcountry developed and backcountry wilderness | — |
| Primary Terrain | — | Granite spires, ponderosa pine forest, mixed-grass prairie |
| High Point | — | Black Elk Peak (7,242 feet) |
| Land Managers | — | USFS, South Dakota GFP, National Park Service |
| Key Wildlife | — | Bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, elk |
| Primary Gateways | — | Rapid City, Custer, and Hill City |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Cumberland Island
- Seventeen miles of pristine, uncrowded Atlantic beaches with zero commercial development
- Strict ferry passenger caps prevent the crowding typical of southern coastal parks
- Lush maritime oak forests offer shade and dramatic scenery for hiking and biking
- May weather brings warm ocean swims before peak summer heat and afternoon storms arrive
- Heavy tick, chigger, and biting gnat populations require vigilant chemical protection
- Strict pack-it-in, pack-it-out rules with no island trash disposal or resupply options
- Backcountry well water has a strong sulfur taste and requires mechanical filtration
Black Hills
- Minimal tourist and motorcycle traffic on scenic corridors and trailheads
- Prime wildlife viewing during the peak bison calving season
- Crisp, cool daytime temperatures ideal for extended backcountry mileage
- Abundant free dispersed camping options throughout national forest land
- High-elevation paths frequently harbor slick ice, runoff, and deep mud
- Unstable spring weather patterns with sudden threats of sub-freezing snow
- Select scenic byways and cave tours operate on restricted spring schedules
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