Assateague Island on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is known for its wild ponies, beaches, and undeveloped coastal setting, where visitors can camp in tents and RVs at Assateague State Park. A small accommodation business is offering another option for travelers who want to stay close to the island’s natural environment while using a more permanent sleeping structure.
Assateague Cottage operates six small, pastel-colored cottages that are parked at Assateague State Park. The units provide beds and basic shelter but do not include kitchens or private bathrooms. Five cottages have a queen bed and a full-size futon, while one is designed for two guests. Guests use the park’s bathhouses and are encouraged to prepare food outdoors around a campfire.
“It’s a little rustic, and that’s kind of our intention,” says Megan Hines, who owns the cottages with her husband, Brett.
The Hineses, who grew up visiting Assateague, purchased the cottages in fall 2025 from Ron Harrigan. Harrigan had operated pop-up camper rentals on the island for approximately two decades before developing the Assateague Cottage concept.
The new owners have made updates to the accommodations, including installing shiplap and upgrading flooring, while retaining many of the cottages’ existing features and furnishings.
“We tried to keep the soul of the cottages,” Megan says. “It’s like walking into a home,” she told Garden and Gun. “Ron hand-painted some of the paintings on the walls, and the books have lots of dog ears.”
The approach places the accommodations between conventional camping and more amenity-driven glamping. Guests have access to a bed and enclosed living space while continuing to rely on shared campground facilities and outdoor cooking. The limited amenities are part of the property’s positioning rather than an attempt to replicate a traditional vacation rental.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the model illustrates how relatively simple accommodations can complement an established campground without necessarily competing with tent or RV sites. Small cabins and cottages can also provide an option for guests who are interested in outdoor recreation but may not own camping equipment or want to sleep in a tent.
At the same time, the absence of private bathrooms and kitchens means operators need to set expectations clearly and align the accommodation experience with the existing campground infrastructure.
Assateague Cottage guests can spend time on the island’s beaches or kayak through the Sinepuxent and Chincoteague Bays. Other activities include watching sunsets over the marsh and observing shorebirds.
The Hineses say the property’s focus is on the setting and a slower-paced experience rather than a long list of amenities.
“We just want to let people appreciate nature and the simplicity of doing nothing but enjoying the island,” Megan says.
The acquisition in fall 2025 marks the latest stage in a business that developed from Harrigan’s pop-up camper rentals into a small-scale cottage operation. For campground and glamping operators, Assateague Cottage provides an example of how existing accommodation concepts can be adapted to meet demand for more comfortable overnight stays while preserving a low-amenity, nature-focused experience.