FORT DRUM: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

Introduction

Welcome to Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division. Fort Drum, in New York’s beautiful North Country, provides full-spectrum training and fort operations support to all of the service branches, 11 states, and parts of Canada. Each year, Fort Drum offers this training and support to more than 26,500 Reserve and National Guard members as well as personnel from other federal, state, and local agencies. Fort Drum encompasses about 107,265 acres. The post’s workforce includes more than 15,000 military service members and approximately 3,700 civilian personnel. Approximately 15,000 family members live on post or in the local area and more than 3,000 military retirees live in the local area. Continue reading for our in-depth guide on Fort Drum so you can get to know your new post and its surrounding community.

1. Where Is Fort Drum?
2. Google Map View
3. Directions to the Post
4. Entering the Post and Amenities
   • Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
   • Fort Drum Visitor Center
   • Fort Drum DEERS Office
   • Fort Drum Gate Hours
   • Fort Drum Commissary
   • Fort Drum Exchange
   • Fort Drum Barber Shop
   • Fort Drum Post Office
   • Fort Drum Finance Office
   • Fort Drum Legal Office
   • Fort Drum Library
   • Fort Drum Hotels
5. Where Should I Live Near Fort Drum?
6. What Schools are Near Fort Drum?
7. What’s the Weather Like in Fort Drum?
8. Things to Do Near Fort Drum

Where Is Fort Drum?

Fort Drum Visitor Control Center Next to the Cerjan Gate, off U.S. Route 11 Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-8585

Fort Drum Map

Fort Drum Directions

Fort Drum is in Jefferson County in northern New York. The post is about 30 miles south of Canada, with the Great Lakes to the west, the Adirondack Mountains to the east, and the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands in between. The closest airport is Watertown International Airport, which is about 20 miles away from Fort Drum. Syracuse Hancock International Airport is about 80 miles away from the post.

From Watertown International Airport

1. Take NYS Route 12F east, and merge onto Interstate 81 north.
2. Take Exit 48A toward Interstate 781. This is a direct route to the Fort Drum north gate.

From the West

1. Take Interstate 81 Exit 48A, and merge onto Interstate 781. This is a direct route to the Fort Drum north gate.

From the East (Plattsburgh)

1. Take NYS Route 190/Military Turnpike to NYS Route 374 west to NYS Route 3 west.
2. Follow Route 3 west to NYS Route 3A. Follow signs to Fort Drum.

Flights to Fort Drum

Active-duty military members who land at Syracuse Hancock International Airport may use the airport’s Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room. The volunteers here can help military members make ground transportation arrangements. For information on ground transportation and rental car options at Watertown International Airport, visit the airport’s website.

Fort Drum Transportation Office

Getting ready for a PCS move and in need of some help? Call the Fort Drum Transportation Office to get started.

Fort Drum Transportation Office

10720 Mount Belvedere Blvd. Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-6384

Fort Drum Transportation Office Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0730 to 1700.

Entering Fort Drum and Post Amenities

If you do not have a valid military ID, you may have to stop at the visitor control center to gain post access. Click here for more information on the visitor control center at Fort Drum.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

All in-processing soldiers must sign in at Clark Hall, in Building 10720 on Mount Belvedere Boulevard. Clark Hall and the Reception Activity is staffed 24/7, including holidays and days of no scheduled activities. Bring a copy of your DA Form 31 (leave), assignment orders and amendments, health and dental records, and Military Personnel Record Jacket (if applicable). Be prepared to fill out information sheets pertaining to DD Form 93 and Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance updates and medical pre-screening forms to expedite your in-processing at Fort Drum. Visit Fort Drum’s website for more information on in-processing.

Fort Drum Visitor Center

The Visitor Control Center issues temporary vehicle passes and can provide directions and information on the post. For more information on post access and the visitor control center, visit the Fort Drum Visitor & Gate Information website.

Visitor Control Center

Next to the Cerjan Gate, off U.S. Route 11 Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-8585

Visitor Control Center Hours

• Sunday through Saturday

  - 0530 to 2200.

DEERS Fort Drum

Fort Drum DEERS and ID Card Office

Building 10720 Mount Belvedere Boulevard Room A1-102 Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-5149

Fort Drum DEERS and ID Card Office Hours

• Monday and Friday

  - 0830 to 1545.

• Tuesday and Thursday

  - 0745 to 1545.

• Wednesday

  - 0905 to 1545.

Fort Drum Gate Hours

For up-to-date information on gate hours and locations, visit the Fort Drum Visitor & Gate Information website.

• Lt. Gen. Paul Cerjan Gate (Main Gate)

  : Open 24/7.

• Mount Belvedere Boulevard Gate

  : Open 24/7.

• Gasoline Alley Gate

  : Open 24/7.

• Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield Gate

  : Open 0530 to 2300 Monday through Friday.

Fort Drum Commissary

10730C Enduring Freedom Drive Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 774-9130

Fort Drum Commissary Hours

• Tuesday through Sunday

  - 0900 to 1900.

Fort Drum PX

Fort Drum Exchange

Building P-10730A, Enduring Freedom Drive Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 773-0061

Fort Drum Exchange Hours

• Monday through Saturday

  - 0900 to 1800.

• Sunday

  - 1000 to 1700.

Fort Drum Barber Shops

Fort Drum Exchange Barber Shop

Building P-10730A, Enduring Freedom Drive Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-3498

Fort Drum Exchange Barber Shop Hours

• Currently closed.

Jack T. Sweet Complex Barber Shop

Building P-10207 Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-3497

Jack T. Sweet Complex Barber Shop Hours

• Currently closed.

Mini Mall Barber Shop

Building P-4230 Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-5106

Mini Mall Barber Shop Hours

• Currently closed.

Ontario Express Complex Barber Shop

Building 1485 Fort Drum, NY 13603

Phone

: 1 (315) 221-7178

Ontario Express Complex Barber Shop Hours

• Currently closed.

Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield Barber Shop

Building 19905 Fort Drum, NY 13603

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-1254

Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield Barber Shop Hours

• Currently closed.

Fort Drum Post Office

10720 Mount Belvedere Blvd. Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-5220

Fort Drum Post Office Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0915 to 1615.

• Saturday

  - 0900 to 1200.

Fort Drum Finance

If you’re looking for financial advice or assistance on money matters, the talented and professional counselors of the post’s Financial Readiness Program can help.

Financial Readiness Program

Building 11042, Mount Belvedere Boulevard Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-5196

Fort Drum Finance Office Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0730 to 1630.

Fort Drum Legal Services

Building 10720, Room A2-68, Mount Belvedere Boulevard Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-5261

Fort Drum Legal Office Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0830 to 1600.

Fort Drum Library

4300 Camp Hale Road Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone

: 1 (315) 772-9099

Fort Drum Library Hours

• Monday through Friday

  - 0900 to 1800.

Fort Drum Hotels

There are many hotels near Fort Drum, so you’re sure to find one to fit your budget. For a full list of IHG Army Hotels and affiliated resorts in the area, visit the IHG Army Hotels website.

Candlewood Suites

9090 Mount Belvedere Blvd. Fort Drum, NY 13603

Phone

: 1 (315) 773-7777

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide’s Fort Drum Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near Fort Drum?

Cities Near Fort Drum

While many military family members call post housing their home, others choose to live in nearby communities. The neighboring communities of Black River, Calcium, Carthage, Evans Mills, LeRay, Philadelphia, and Watertown provide housing, employment, and other services for Fort Drum’s military families. The region’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, and utility costs during cold winter months can be high. New York also has some of the highest property taxes in the United States. If you’re considering living on post, check out the available on-post housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off post.

Best Places to Live Near Fort Drum

Carthage

The Village of Carthage is southeast of Fort Drum. This community has a population of nearly 3,400 people. The village has a recreation facility, a skateboard park, walking trails, athletic fields, and parks that overlook the Black River.

LeRay

The Town of LeRay is located just outside Fort Drum. The Village of Evans Mills and part of the Village of Black River are located within the town, as is the main cantonment area of Fort Drum. Nearly 21,000 people call this town home.

Watertown

The City of Watertown is southwest of Fort Drum and has a population of nearly 25,000 people. The city has 574 acres of parks and playgrounds, which feature athletic courts, picnic areas, trails, and views of the Black River. The city’s historic Thompson Park has a zoo, a golf course, exercise and walking trails, a tennis court, and more. Watertown also hosts the county fair and is home to one of the oldest community theaters in the state, an arts council, museums, and the Dry Hill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing area.

Hot Tip: Look for Fort Drum homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

Fort Drum Schools

There are many options for your child’s education near Fort Drum. The state offers traditional public schools, as well as public charter schools and private schools. For younger children, there are a variety of local daycares and pre-K programs on and off post. Children who live on post attend schools in the Carthage Central School District or Indian River Central School District. There are no DoDEA schools on the post. The Fort Drum School Support Services website has more information on area school districts, home schooling in New York, special education resources, and the youth sponsorship program, which matches incoming students with a fellow student who can guide them in their new community. The website also has contact information for the post’s school liaison officer, who can provide information and guidance on area schools as well as educational resources for your children.

Fort Drum Weather

You’ll enjoy all four seasons at Fort Drum. Summers are muggy, with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 50s and 60s. Winters are cold and snowy, with average highs in the 20s and 30s and average lows in the 10s and 20s. Fort Drum gets about 44 inches of rain and 115 inches of snow annually. To find out more in-depth information on the weather in the area, visit Fort Drum Weather: What To Expect When Moving Here.

Things to Do Near Fort Drum NY

Fort Drum and North Country are home to iconic historical sites, museums and art galleries, great restaurants and breweries, vibrant shopping districts, and much more. On post, there are a multitude of recreational opportunities, including camping, fishing, bowling, swimming, and more. Outside the gates, outdoor recreational opportunities abound. The Adirondack Mountains, nature preserves, parks, the Thousand Islands, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence River lend themselves to a variety of adventures. Whether you like to bike, hike, fish, hunt, camp, swim, boat, golf, ski, or rock climb, there’s no shortage of things to do. Get out and explore!

Suggested Read

: 19 Of the Best Things to Do Near Fort Drum and 32 of the Best Restaurants Near Fort Drum

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Fort Drum at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion

Moving to a new post comes with challenges, but Fort Drum is a great place to call home. Enjoy the great outdoors and this world-class installation during your time here.  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

  Last Updated: 9/30/2021