Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune Relocation Information
Photo from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Welcome to Camp Lejeune! This enormous Marine Corps Base covers 240 square miles, including 11 miles of outstanding coastline. With the many military installations in North Carolina, you’ll find that the Camp Lejeune area beams with a strong sense of community.
Photo from David Masemore on Unsplash
Coupled with its small-town charm, close access to Jacksonville, retail shops, and restaurants, this duty station may have you feeling right at home. Plus, the numerous parks, beautiful scenery, and proximity to the beach make it easy to understand why this region of the country centers around the outdoors. And with great weekend getaway destinations to the beach, historic sites in Asheville, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Pisgah Forest, there’s a little something for everyone!
Other than Jacksonville, the area surrounding Camp Lejeune is primarily residential and doesn’t host a wide variety of public transportation. And since the base is anything but small, many people rely on personal vehicles to get from place to place. Thankfully, you’ll find multiple gates allowing access on and off base. However, don’t be surprised to sit in traffic during rush hour.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Camp Lejeune
1) Where should I live if stationed at Camp Lejeune?
There’s no right or wrong answer to where you should live when you’re stationed at Camp Lejeune. Since the base is large, much of your decision should be based on where you’ll report to duty. Before you start your house hunt, take a look at the base maps. Once you figure out which side of the base you’ll be working at, then you can narrow your search.
If you choose to live off-base, Jacksonville is nearest to MCAS New River and mainside with amenities like the commissary, exchange, movie theater, and more. However, there are 10 gates offering access onto base. So, you might find a more quiet neighborhood with easier access onto the base on the south end in Sneads Ferry.
Popular places are Jacksonville, Sneads Ferry, and New Bern, but with towns located all around the base, the answer to your question will depend on what you’re looking for.
2) What amenities are offered at Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune has a nice variety of amenities on base. Not only is on-base housing available, but there are also DoDEA schools, fitness centers, childcare, shopping, family support, hunting and fishing, restaurants, boating, and swimming.
Some facilities on base include banks and credit unions, the commissary, the library, hobby shops, the beach, theaters, and more.
3) How many gates are there to Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune has 11 gates actively open for base access. For up to date gate access visit Base Access
- Main Gate (Holcomb Boulevard) – 24/7
- Wilson Boulevard – 24/7
- Triangle Outpost (Hubert/Swansboro) – 24//7
- Sneads Ferry – 24/7
- Stone Bay – 24/7
- Camp Johnson –24/7
- Midway Park – 24/7
- Piney Green – Monday through Friday: 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Open until 6:00 p.m. for outbound traffic only
- Old Midway Park Gate - Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for outbound traffic only (closed on holidays)
- Tarawa Terrace I – Monday through Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tarawa Terrace II – Closed
- Butler Gate – Monday through Friday: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for inbound traffic only.
4) How big is Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune is 240 square miles. The base and surrounding community include over 170,000 active duty service members, dependents, retirees, and civilian employees, which generates almost $3 billion in commerce each year. Though it isn’t the largest military installation the U.S. has, it is the biggest Marine Corps base on the East Coast.
5) What is the zip code for Camp Lejeune?
The zip codes for Camp Lejeune include 28542 and 28547.
6) What is the BAH for Camp Lejeune?
BAH for Camp Lejeune ranges from $1,389 for E-1 to $2,010 for E-9 with dependents, and from $1,500 for O-1 to $2,517 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
Photo from MCCS Lejeune
Base Location and Information
Official Site: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Military Bases Near Camp Lejeune
Located on an impressive 240 square miles of land (11 of which are Atlantic coastline) Camp Lejeune prides itself on being the home of “Expeditionary Forces in Readiness.” Throughout the years, it has become the home base for the II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and other combat units and support commands.
Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base visitors center is located at 3812 Holcomb Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28542. The base lies on North Carolina's south-central coast, directly south of the city of Jacksonville and is divided into two parts by the New River. Swansboro, NC lies east of the base, via I-24, passing the city of Midway Park along the way. The town of Sneads Ferry, NC is just south of the base. The New River Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) is adjacent to the base.
With its proximity to lively cities like Jacksonville and Wilmington and spunky beach towns like Sneads Ferry, Topsail Beach, Surf City, and Emerald Isle, there are endless explorations to be made. And with a handful of neighboring military installations nearby, the area is as military-friendly as you can get!
Photo from bobistraveling on Flickr
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Arrival Lodging
The Inns of the Corps handles on-base lodging for Camp Lejeune. With standard rooms, suites, and a handful of pet-friendly guest rooms, their accommodations make a comfortable place to rest your head for a few days while you get familiar with your new duty station.
Front Desk Reservations: (910) 451-3041 ext. 181
Address:
Holcomb Blvd.
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
Inn of the Corps Camp Lejeune/New River
Photo by MCCS Lejeune
Camp Lejeune Housing
Photo from Liberty Military Housing
Camp Lejeune on-base housing is privatized and is split between Hunt Military Communities and Liberty Military Housing.
Atlantic Marine Corps Communities offers on-base housing in 12 different neighborhoods. Residents enjoy living near a variety of base amenities such as schools, parks, playgrounds, walking trails, swimming pools, playgrounds, dog parks, and more.
Liberty Military Housing offers one community, Heroes Manor, for E1 through E5. The Heroes Manor community has three and four-bedroom homes conveniently located off Brewster Boulevard on base. It consists of 560 homes, 31 of which are ADA accessible.
Both housing companies have Pet Policies in addition to the Base Breed Restriction policy, so be sure to contact them for specifics at the Camp Lejeune Housing Office: (910) 450-1628.
Simply living on base doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be positioned close to work. It’s best to learn where you’ll report for duty, then explore the on-base communities afterward to choose the location that’s best for you.
Image from Atlantic Marine Corps Communities
- Atlantic Marine Corps Communities: (888) 690-4304
- Lincoln Military Housing Leasing Center: (910) 238-3083
Be sure to check in with Camp Lejeune Housing Division for details.
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Camp Lejeune Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Camp Lejeune: Camp Lejeune Homes.
Photo from James Hose Jr on Unsplash
Base Search
City Search
Camp Lejeune BAH Info
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Camp Lejeune is near New Bern, Sneads Ferry, and Jacksonville with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Camp Lejeune rates for zip code 28542:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,389
- E-1 without dependents: $1,095
- E-9 with dependents: $2,010
- E-9 without dependents: $1,674
- O-1 with dependents: $1,500
- O-1 without dependents: $1,338
- O-7 with dependents: $2,517
- O-7 without dependents: $1,929
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Area Weather & Climate
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Photo from Coastal Nomad Photography on Unsplash
The area’s subtropical climate makes it ideal for fair weather people. Though the summers are notoriously hot and humid, the winters are mild and the great outdoors can be enjoyed year-round.
Aside from a few thunderstorms in the springtime, the biggest concern for the area are hurricanes. Positioned right on the coast, it’s not uncommon for those stationed at Camp Lejeune to feel the effects of storms that grow in the Atlantic. Sometimes that means a few weeks of clouds and heavy rain, other times that means full hurricane conditions with 70 mph winds. Hurricane season is June through November, with August to October being the peak.
Learn more about hurricane preparedness at NC 2-1-1.
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Camp Lejeune Area Schools
Because Camp Lejeune covers a wide area in the region, there are multiple school districts that might be appropriate for your school-age children depending on where you choose to live. First, Camp Lejeune and New River offer on-base education through DoDEA.
On the civilian side, there’s Onslow, Pender, Carteret, and Duplin Counties. Below maps courtesy ZipDataMaps.
Onslow County
Pender County
Carteret County
Duplin County
For more information about schools in the area as well as DoDEA offered on base, visit the Camp Lejeune and New River School Liaison Program. Families can find the area’s private schools on the Private School Review.
Homeschoolers should follow the guidelines provided by the North Carolina Department of Administration. There are many resources and support groups made available by the East Coast Homeschool Organization (ECHO).
Support for Military & Families
Military families and spouses benefit from the large military community in the Camp Lejeune area. Finding fellow military groups to help you settle into your new duty station isn’t difficult here.
Major employment industries in the area are the Department of Defense, education, and healthcare. And for those looking to volunteer, the opportunities are plenty. Nearby, you’ll find the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern North Carolina, American Red Cross, USO, and more.
Some helpful links:
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Things to Do Near Camp Lejeune
Photo from Lance Cpl. Jackeline M. Perez Rivera
Lejeune Memorial Gardens: The Lejeune Memorial Gardens pay tribute to those who served and are serving our country. It’s a great place to come, pay your respects, and feel closer than ever to the history which helped shape the country we live in today. It’s home to four memorials.
Cracked It! Escape Games: Test your wits and teamwork with a role-playing escape room!
Zing Zumm Children’s Museum: Located in downtown Jacksonville, this interactive children’s museum is the perfect place for your littles to turn on their imagination, create, and explore as they learn through play.
Photo from @ncaquariumpks
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores: Explore life under the sea at the North Carolina Aquarium. Explore exhibits like the Living Shipwreck, a replica of the U-352 German submarine that was sunk off the coast of North Carolina in 1942 (the first sunk by the U.S. Coast Guard), the Loggerhead Odyssey, and the Tree-Mendous Nature Play Area where the kids can run wild.
Hammocks Beach State Park: The backdrop for outdoor adventure both on land and on sea, Hammocks Beach State Park is home to Bear Island, a 4-mile barrier island left untouched, made perfect for exploring the great outdoors.
Onslow County Farmers Market: Serving the community for over 23 years, the Onslow County Farmers Market offers all the good stuff: local produce, pasture meats, honey, eggs, baked goods, and, of course, handmade artisan products.
Photo from Canva
Onslow Beach: Let’s start with easy access. Located on Camp Lejeune, Onslow offers plenty of convenience and affordability. Not only is a day of pure beach play available, military ID card holders have the opportunity to rent lodges and RV sites. But, as you can imagine, these accommodations are in demand, so get your reservations in early. Pet-friendly rooms are available, as is the Marine Mart, which offer the basics needed for a fun-filled day playing in the sand.
Fort Macon State Park: As rich with nature as it is with history, Fort Macon State Park checks all the boxes. In addition to a perfectly restored Civil War era fort and educational center, you’ll also find an untouched beach primed for swimming, surf fishing, and beachcombing. As important as it is to bring a notebook and jot down moments in history, it’s equally important to bring a towel and packed lunch to spend the day basking in the North Carolina sunshine.
More Camp Lejeune Area Info
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Base Address:
33 Holcomb Boulevard
Camp Lejeune
,
28547-2519