Welcome to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, the home state of Walt Disney, Budweiser, Kansas City Barbecue, and Mark Twain! What could be more American?
The Fort Leonard Wood Missouri military base dates back to early 1941. It was built during the dark days leading up to America’s entry into World War II when the US Army was much smaller and poorly equipped.
The installation was built as an infantry training center to expand the Army to improve American readiness in the lead up to World War II. The post itself is named for Major General Leonard Wood, Medal of Honor recipient and commander of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, more commonly known as the “Rough Riders.” Wood was the commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt before being promoted and eventually becoming Chief of Staff of the Army.
Situated in the Ozark Mountains, the terrain is rugged and wooded. The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence is a large training post and one of the Army’s Basic Combat Training (BCT) centers. The post also serves as the training center for Army Engineers, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) specialists, and Military Police. If you're wondering how big Fort Leonard Wood is — it is home to around 15,000 people and covers a total area of around 97 square miles. Fort Leonard Wood is in central Missouri, about two and half hours equidistant between Kansas City and St Louis. Continue reading for our in-depth guide on Fort Leonard Wood to help aid you in your transition to your new post home.
Fort Leonard Wood Welcome Center
316 Missouri Ave, Bldg 100 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Phone:
1 (573) 596-0590 or 1 (573) 596-3642
There is a Greyhound Bus station in the city of St Robert, MO outside the main gate. Check here for schedule information.
Getting your personal goods to your next duty station is one of the biggest headaches of a PCS move. But the Fort Leonard Wood transportation office is here to help you get your things where they need to go.
Fort Leonard Wood Transportation Office
14673 1st St, Bldg 380 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Phone:
Fort Leonard Wood Transportation Office Hours
Security personnel conduct 100% ID checks at all gates for all-of-age persons when entering the Leonard Wood post. You must have a valid DoD ID or state or federal ID. To obtain a visitor’s pass, you will need a valid picture ID, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and your assignment or TDY orders (not required for visitors).
Phone:
1 (573) 596-0590 or 1 (573) 596-3642
Fort Leonard Wood visitor passes will be issued to those with a valid reason for entering the installation. Those coming for family day or graduation do not require a pass, however, all other visitors must undergo a security screening.
To obtain a visitor’s pass, you will need a valid picture ID, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and your assignment or TDY orders (not required for visitors).
Fort Leonard Wood Visitor Center
316 Missouri Ave, Bldg 100 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Phone:
1 (573) 596-0590 or 1 (573) 596-3642
Fort Leonard Wood DEERS Office
Dillard Hall (Bldg 470) 13486 Replacement Ave 2nd Floor, Room 2101 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Phone:
Fort Leonard Wood DEERS Office Hours
Getting your groceries, toiletries, home goods, and other sundries are easy at the Fort Leonard Wood Commissary, right here on post.
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Fort Leonard Wood Commissary Hours
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Fort Leonard Wood Exchange Hours
Barber Shop
6181 Cooley Ave Bldg 1711 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
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Exchange Reception Barber Shop
4566 Oklahoma Ave Bldg 2100 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
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Manscen Barber Shop
14010 MSCoE Loop, Bldg 3201
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Mini Mall Barber Shop
13455 Artillery Circle, Bldg 1026
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Troop Branch Barber Shop
12994 12th St, Bldg 744
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Troop Store Barber Shop
6925 Colorado Ave, Bldg 835
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Get your letters and packages delivered where they need to go properly and on time with the help of the Fort Leonard Wood Post Office.
Fort Leonard Wood Post Office
233 Illinois Ave, Ste 1 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
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Fort Leonard Wood Finance Office
140 Replacement Ave, Room 1123 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Phone:
Fort Leonard Wood Finance Office Hours
Any type of legal assistance is available to service members including powers of attorney, wills, tax information, household goods claims and more.
Fort Leonard Wood Legal Assistance Office
Building 315 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Phone:
Fort Leonard Wood Legal Office Hours
The library offers community and academic services with a large online catalog. Currently, it is offering curbside pickup only.
Bruce C Clark Library
14020 MSCoE Loop at 1st St & Nebraska Ave, Bldg 3202 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
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Candlewood Suites is an on-post hotel. Booking is available through IHG Army Hotels website and can be found here.
Candlewood Suites on Fort Leonard Wood
4990 Nebraska Ave Bldg 2020 Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473
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Hampton Inn St Robert at Fort Leonard Wood
103 St Robert Plaza Dr St Robert, MO 65584
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites St Robert at Fort Leonard Wood
605 State Hwy Z St Robert, MO 65584
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Fairfield Inn by Marriot at Fort Leonard Wood
131 St Robert Blvd St Robert, MO 65584
Phone:
1 (573) 336-8600
Fort Leonard Wood is located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. The nearest towns to the post are St Robert, Waynesville, Dixon, Crocker, and Plato Missouri. St Robert is the town closest to the main gate of the post. 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.
According to livability surveys the highest rated town is Crocker, MO followed by Waynesville, and then St Robert. With Waynesville School District serving most of the area including post, as well as being a slightly shorter drive to Fort Leonard Wood (around 8 miles as opposed to Waynesville which is 15 miles), this seems the best of all options when picking a place to live off post.
The Waynesville R-VI School District serves the communities of Waynesville, St Robert, and Fort Leonard Wood with grade K-12. There are five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. You can look here for enrollment information on their website.
Waynesville R-VI School District
200 Fleetwood Dr Waynesville, MO 65583
Phone:
1 (573) 842-2097 Find more local school information at The Best Fort Leonard Wood Schools: Daycare - High School.
The weather in Fort Leonard Wood is typical of the South. The summers are hot and humid with a higher chance of rain in the spring and early summer. The winters are cold but snow and wind are not big problems. You’ll want to bundle up but you can leave your snow pants and parka in the closet. The mountains tend to hold a high chance of clouds making the area partly to mostly overcast for most of the year. Visit the post website’s weather center for up-to-date information.
This is a fantastic post for outdoor activities. Located in the Ozark Mountains and just west of the Mark Twain National Forest, there are plenty of hiking trails, river activities, camping, horse riding, fishing, and more. The weather is very supportive of outdoor activity with a unique mixture of southern heat in the summer, cool and pleasant fall and spring, and cold winters thankfully without much snow. You’ll experience all four seasons distinctly and can enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and spring blooms.
Phone:
1 (573) 346-2676 Check out the Bridal Cave for a fantastic cave tour or float down the Big Piney and Gasconade Rivers while surrounded by the wooded hills.
Phone:
1 (573) 336-6355 Shop along with Antique and Sweet Trail which runs all over Pulaski County with stops like Bear Ridge Antiques and Ozark Country Flea Market.
If you are interested in Native American history, you can walk along the Trail of Tears, part of which is near Fort Leonard Wood along the Roubidoux Creek and marked with seven historical markers.
You can also drive part of historic Route 66 which features a number of local attractions along the 90-minute drive including Devil's Elbow Bridge and the Uranus Fudge Factory.
Missouri is famous for its barbecue but that’s not all you’ll find to eat near post. Here are the top three Yelp rated restaurants near Fort Leonard Wood.
Phone:
1 (573) 596-0001 A popular spot for cheap beer and American pub food and barbecue with friendly service.
Phone:
1 (573) 451-2447 This cash only spot serves up Chicago Style food; hotdogs, steakburgers, and pizza puffs.
946 Missouri Ave, Ste 1 St Robert, MO 65584 Phone: 1 (573) 232-1399 A local shop that serves up tacos, burritos, and wings with interesting twists including bulgogi tacos and crispy chicken bacon avocado tacos. Looking to explore even more options? Check out the 19 of the Best Fort Leonard Wood Restaurants.
Know before you go! Moving to a new home can be daunting but some research and the help of the resources available can make it much less jarring. This guide should get you on your feet to enjoy the mountains and forests and prepare you for training. We hope you and your family enjoy your time in Missouri!
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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