From beach camping to bed and breakfasts and mountain cabins, North Carolina has a number of affordable places to stay.

North Carolina has some of the best camping in the South. Outer Banks has all sorts of scenic camping on or near the water. Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Ocracoke Island offer some of the best spots. Or take a ferry to Cape Lookout National Seashore, a narrow strip of sand with 56 miles of beach along three islands south of Ocracoke.

Anchorage House Bed and Breakfast, Beaufort: This four-room 1883 Gothic Revival cottage starts at $75 a night has heart pine floors and mahogany doors and mantels. For breakfast, enjoy homemade biscuits, pecan or fruit waffles or macadamia nut French toast.

1902 Turnpike House B&B, Banner Elk: Begin your day with a home-brewed cup of coffee on a swing on the front porch of this 104-year-old mountain estate before enjoying breakfast on fine china and heirloom crystal. In chillier months, warm yourself by the wood-burning stove in the great room and sleep under a down comforter. Starts at $89 a night.

Stone Creek Cabins, Murphy: Two cozy, comfortable red cedar cabins on 10 wooded acres in the Smoky Mountains, in the $80-$90 range that house up to four people. Both cabins have wood-burning fireplaces, covered porch, campfire pit and panoramic mountain views in the winter. Great fly-fishing is a short drive away. Also in Murphy, Trails End Cabins is surrounded by mountain wilderness, waterfalls, lakes and streams. Cabins have two bedrooms, full kitchens and three of them have hot tubs.

Bald Knob Farm House, Sparta: This four-bedroom house was built in 1918 and the farm has been in the family more than 100 years. It sleeps eight with a full kitchen and two baths.

Little Tree Cabin, Andrews: The Little Tree cabin at Whispering Pines Log Cabins near Andrews starts at $55 nightly, a narrow tree house of a place in a wooded setting in the Smoky Mountains. It's barely a bed-width wide but its porch offers a great view of bright stars. It's a perfect base if you plan to explore the area's mountain stream fishing, biking, hiking, or whitewater rafting.

Sandy Paws Beach House, Wilmington: If you can gather nine of your closest friends to share the cost of a beach getaway, consider the cozy, no-frills five-bedroom Sandy Paws Beach House, 20 minutes from the Wilmington airport, starting at $375. Situated on a private island, its wraparound porch offers sweeping views of the white sand beach and Atlantic.