Major city · United States
ElizabethtownElizabethtown, North Carolina
Skip unless you are a dedicated outdoor enthusiast: half a day for Jones Lake or a bike ride, then move on to Wilmington or Fayetteville.
Elizabethtown is the county seat of Bladen County on the North Carolina Coastal Plain, a small town with two state parks and a mountain-bike trail. It has no major sights and limited dining and lodging. Use it as a quick nature stop between Fayetteville and Wilmington, not as a base.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (hot, humid, mosquitoes)
- Airports
- FAY · ILM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Elizabethtown911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Elizabethtown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFAY Fayetteville Regional Airport (About 30 min drive; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundCar required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)US$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner (casual restaurant)US$12–20
- Street or quick mealLunch (sandwich shop)US$8–12
- Budget bedCampsite (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$20
- Mid-range bedCampsite (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$35
- High-end bedCampsite (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$50
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$40 · Mid US$80 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FAY Fayetteville Regional Airport (About 30 min drive; limited flights.) · ILM Wilmington International Airport (About 45 min drive; more connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Oct (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Elizabethtown: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car required. No public transit. Parking is free and easy.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 45 min
Car via US-87 S / US-74 E, about 45 min
Historic riverfront, USS North Carolina, beaches.
Door to door: 30 min
Car via US-87 N, about 30 min
Airborne & Special Operations Museum, downtown.
Door to door: 1 h
Car via US-87 S / US-74 E / US-421 S, about 1 h
Beach boardwalk, fishing pier.
Door to door: 1 h 45 min
Car via US-87 N / NC-24 E, about 1 h 45 min
Tryon Palace, historic district; better as a day trip from elsewhere.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
White Lake area
Campgrounds and a few motels; summer season only.
Downtown Elizabethtown
Limited options; check for chain motels on Hwy 87.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$40–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$80–150 excl. bed
- High
- US$150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Campsite (tent or RV)1 × 1 night × US$20 | US$20 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$40 | US$80 |
| State park entry (per vehicle)1 × US$0 · Free at Jones Lake and Singletary Lake. | US$0 |
| White Lake Water Park entry2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$13 |
| Trip total≈ US$72 per person per day, bed included | US$143 |
Jones Lake or Camp Clearwater; check availability.
2026 estimate in US dollars. Car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | US$2–4 |
| Lunch (sandwich shop) | US$8–12 |
| Dinner (casual restaurant) | US$12–20 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | US$3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mosquitoes and ticks in warmer months; use repellent.
- State park hours change seasonally; check official sites.
- White Lake Water Park is seasonal (summer only).
- No Uber or Lyft reliably available; plan your own transport.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ElizabethtownElizabethtown, North Carolina
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC. Consulates in Atlanta and Miami. Not relevant for domestic travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fayetteville to Elizabethtown (car): about 30 min, US$5–7 fuel
- Wilmington to Elizabethtown (car): about 45 min, US$7–10 fuel
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Elizabethtown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (hot, humid, mosquitoes) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialElizabethtown official website
- officialJones Lake State Park
- officialSingletary Lake State Park
- officialWhite Lake Water Park
- officialCamp Clearwater
- secondaryWikivoyage: Elizabethtown (North Carolina), revision 4321318 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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