Camp Lejeune & New River Marine Base North Carolina

MILITARY HOUSING | ABOUT LEJEUNE & NEW RIVER BASE | AREA SCHOOLS

YOUTH CARE, ACTIVITIES & SPORTS | GETTING TO AND FROM | RESOURCES

Welcome to Expeditionary Forces in Readiness Camp Lejeune, NC. This base is one of the larger Marine Corps bases in the United States.

Construction began in 1941 to carve 200 square miles of swampland and dunes into the Worlds Largest Amphibious Base. Named in honor of Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune, former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune has been home to thousands upon thousands of Marines who have perfected the technique of modern amphibious warfare.

This Base is in a Sub-Tropical Climate, and is home to some of the most beautiful waterfront lands in the area. Eastern North Carolina is known as The Crystal Coast with gorgeous local beaches, said to be roamed by Blackbeard himself on his way to Ocracoke. Many families love living on this base because of the activities. Many single Marines don’t care for the base because they have to drive to get to a major town.

New River Air Station is attached to Camp Lejeune.

Weather

The weather here ranges from highs in the 50’s in the winter to the 90’s in the summer. It can be quite humid. The average rainfall is over 50 inches a year.

You may be asking yourself what is there to do around Camp Lejeune?

Area Activites

Close to home: There are many small towns around the base. Activities include berry picking (strawberry and blueberry), Bear Island, Farmer’s Markets, Mike’s Farm for seasonal activities, Coastal Towns Raceway, and Beirut Memorial.

Willmington, NC: The closest big city around (about an hour’s drive). This is where you need to go for big days of shopping (try Outside Mall or Independence Mall) and more restaurants and activities. The USS North Carolina is also located in Willmington.

Onslow County: A great place to get information for libraries, DMV services, local calendars and more.

Beaches:

Onslow Beach:This beach is one base. It’s amazing, beautiful and you can drive within 15 minutes without leaving the base! There’s very good rental gear available.The base is currently building a new Exchange in the area, there’s cabanas to rent on a daily basis, cabins for rent year around, surf lessons, kayaking, fishing from the beach, sea turtles laying eggs in the spring and more!

Topsail Beach: Small relaxing island with beautiful beaches. Many businesses are seasonal.

Emerald Aisle: One of the more lush islands on the Outer Banks. There are 23 miles of beach and many year round activities.

Atlantic Beach: (1 hour from Jacksonville). Beautiful beach with a boardwalk, playground for the kids, life guards and bathrooms. Tends to get really busy starting around noon and the weekends. There are limited parking spot. Remember to bring your change, they’re metered! Lifeguards on duty seven days a week from Memorial weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Fort Macon: (1 hour 10 minutes from Jacksonville). North Carolina State park with lots of free parking, but they will close the lot when it’s full. There are no lifeguards or concession stands due to the cutbacks. There is a bathhouse with restrooms, covered picnic areas and outdoor showers. The beach is always clean. The fort is really cool to visit if the beach is not your thing.

Privacy: If you are looking to get away from the tourists, there are tons of public beach access roads off of Hwy 58 (the main road).

Pine Knoll Shores: Great little aquarium about an hour north of Lejuene in the Crystal Coast area (Emerald Isle/ Atlantic Beach area).

Swansborrow: An amazing little town on the water… shopping, cigar shot, Irish pub attached to an Inn, great places to eat.