Fort Leonard Wood is a gateway to Missouri Ozarks, a sportsman's paradise offering more than any camper, hiker, float-tripper, four wheel- drive enthusiast, canoeist, dirt biker or horseback rider could find the leisure time to do. For fishermen, the rivers and streams flowing through and near the Post are crystal clear, providing an ideal home for small-mouth and large-mouth bass, goggle eye (rock bass), bluegill, catfish, stocked trout and more. Hunters will find the woods thick with deer, rabbit, squirrel, quail and wild turkey. Cave lovers will be happy to hear that Missouri is often called the Cave State. There are several caves on the Fort Leonard Wood installation, and new caves are discovered statewide each year. Some of the larger caves are commercially operated and provide guided tours, while many more are open for all levels of spelunking. In addition to outdoor sports, museums, Civil War battlefields, historic homes and buildings, shopping and antiques, concerts, big-league sports, plays and ballets are all within driving distance of Fort Leonard Wood.

The territory that is now the state of Missouri was under several flags after Europeans crossed the Mississippi River. The French first settled in Missouri for nearly a century before deserting the territory. The Spanish then moved into Missouri for about 30 years, but left because of the cost of maintaining Missouri's land. Then, in 1804, citizens of the newly-founded United States settled Missouri, which, in 1821, officially became a state. Missouri has been nicknamed the Mother of the West. Several overland routes originated here: the Santa Fe Trail, the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express and the Butterfield Overland Stage Line. During the Civil War, Missourians were evenly split between North and South. The state legislature passed a resolution that Missouri secede from the Union, but quick action by President Abraham Lincoln to declare martial law kept Missouri in the Union.

Missouri is divided into five diverse vacation regions, each offering a different and unique way to Visit Missouri.

Fort Leonard Wood is located in the Central region. The central region offers great attractions for the whole family. Missouri's premier lake and resort destinations, largest university, longest biking and hiking trail and state capitol are all located within the central region of the state.