If your idea of paradise is coffee at sunrise, water at your doorstep, and dirt still on your boots by sunset, this list is for you.

Across the country, tucked between mangroves, mountain rivers, and cowboy campgrounds, you’ll find cottages built by Great Outdoor Cottages — small but mighty vacation homes designed for people who’d rather be kayaking, fishing, hiking, or stargazing than sitting in a crowded hotel lobby.

From the Florida Keys to the Shenandoah Valley, here are six cottage destinations worth adding to your travel roster — and maybe even your future real estate portfolio.

Tucked just 15 minutes from Key West but blissfully removed from the noise, Sugarloaf Key RV Resort & Cottages feels like its own private island. Most people only come to the Keys for Duval Street cocktails — but the real magic happens at sunrise and sunset on the lagoon here.

Why go:

• – Cottages perched on a seven-acre saltwater lagoon
• – Paddleboards at dawn, tiki drinks by dusk
• – Waterfront decks built for hammock lounging

If you’re looking to unplug without going primitive, this is the spot.
Sugarloaf Key RV Resort & Cottages

Want to sleep on the water — literally? BluFin Bungalows lets you book floating cottages right over the bay.

Expect:

• – Dockside sunrises so bright you’ll forget your phone exists
• – Minutes from the legendary Assateague wild horses
• – Crab traps off your own back deck (ambitious fisher optional)

It’s the perfect middle ground between coastal charm and salty adventure.
BluFin Bugalows & Marina

Want something beachy with modern comfort and cottage charm? Shore Point Cottages is tucked into a gated community near Ocean City and gives you a cozy base close to all the local action.

Perfect for folks who want easy beach access, good amenities, and a relaxed place to return to. Some highlights:

– Fully equipped cottages: kitchens, comfortable living rooms, and smart layouts for groups up to six.

– Gated access and secure parking for peace of mind.

– Pet-friendly design including a dog wash station, rental bikes on-site, and nearby dog-friendly zones.

– A great home base: minutes from the beach, Assateague, boardwalk, and local waterpark thrills.

Book a cottage here and enjoy days spent by the pool or beach… then evenings on your private porch, roasting marshmallows and feeling the breeze.
Shore Point Cottages

No frills. No fuss. Just towering pines, misty lake mornings, and enough crackling fire pits to reset your soul.

Right on Lake Marion, the largest lake in South Carolina, Santee Lakes KOA is one of those places you book for two nights and stay for five.

Bring:

• – A kayak or fishing pole
• – Comfortable sandals with a “mud acceptable” policy
• – Zero expectations of rushing anywhere

KOA Santee Lakes

Want a stay with actual bragging rights? Endless Caverns RV Resort sits directly above a massive underground cave system — and you can sleep in a GOC cottage right on top of it.

Why go:

• – Guided cave tours leave from your doorstep. One minute you’re sipping coffee, the next you’re 100 feet underground.
• – Hiking and ATV trails everywhere. Bring boots or horsepower — either works.
• – Epic night skies. Zero light pollution = Milky Way views for days.

Expect dirt, echoes, laughter, and a cottage that feels like your own adventure lodge.

Bring: Headlamp, hiking shoes, and a sense of discovery.

If your vacation doesn’t involve a cave, was it really an adventure?
Endless Caverns RV Resort

If you love mountains, rivers, and wide-open space, this one hits all three.

Nestled along ¾ mile of private riverfront, Luray RV Resort gives you:

• – Cottages with full kitchens and real beds (bring friends — they sleep up to six)
• – River tubing, hiking, or Shenandoah National Park just up the road
• – Pool with waterslide and Tiki bar for reward time after adventure time

Spend the morning floating down a river and the evening sipping a beer in a rocking chair. Balance achieved.
Luray RV Resort

Whether you’re chasing tropical water, wide-open rivers, or kid-fueled cowboy chaos, these GOC cottage destinations deliver the kind of travel stories you actually want to tell.

✅ Step one: Book a stay at one of these hidden gem cottage resorts.
✅ Step two: Fall in love with the lifestyle.
✅ Step three: Reach out to Great Outdoor Cottages and find out how to own one of your own.

Because the only thing better than visiting a cottage escape… is calling it yours.