Fort Hood
Fort Hood Relocation Information
Image via army.mil.
Fort Hood, Texas, is one of the largest active duty U.S. military installations.
If you love good barbecue, sweet onions, and armor-plated armadillos, you’re going to feel right at home in the Lone Star State. But, if you don’t care for the official state symbols, you’re in luck, because everyone loves the state flower, Bluebonnets!
It’s easy to see why Fort Hood is nicknamed “The Great Place.” Those who live here agree quality of life is high—especially if you appreciate long, humid summers and usually snowless winters. Army pride is strong on Fort Hood. It's home to the 1st Cavalry Division, the largest armored division in the United States.
More than 35,000 soldiers operate at Fort Hood, which means the base is so large that one out of 10 active duty soldiers in the Army is assigned to Fort Hood.
Moving to the Fort Hood area? Download your free ebook below!
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Hood
1) Why is Fort Hood called "The Great Place"?
According to Army.mil:
"Like the state of Texas, Fort Hood is big and boasts of being the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Forces. Fort Hood is nicknamed the Great Place because of the quality of life the post and area offer Soldiers and their Families. These qualities are important, especially with home-basing initiatives, frequent deployments and Family stability and support."
2) How many gates does Fort Hood have?
While Fort Hood has a total of 15 gates, the base has three main entrances: Clear Creek Gate, TJ Mills Gate, and WS Young Gate.
3) What county is Fort Hood in?
Fort Hood is located in Bell and Corryell counties in Central Texas.
4) Where is Fort Hood located?
Fort Hood is in the city of Killeen, Texas, and was named for General John Bell Hood, a Confederate general during the American Civil War.
.jpg)
Base Location and Information
Fort Hood is located between Waco and Austin, Texas. The post is over 340 square miles, so if you aren’t already familiar with the area, you might feel a little overwhelmed when you get orders to PCS here. Since it’s such a large installation, it’s important to know which side of the post your service member will spend most of their time before you decide where you'll live.
Military Bases Near Fort Hood
Killeen is a typical military town with a lot of chain restaurants, big brand stores, and strip malls. Killeen is a great place to live with pockets of nicer neighborhoods. Surrounding off post neighborhoods near Fort Hood include Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville, and Belton. Fort Hood has two large commissaries, multiple Exchanges and seven elementary schools! Recreation is plentiful, thanks to strong MWRs and outside-of-the gate water sport adventures, and support networks on and off base are tight knit.
Texas hasn’t always been the tourist draw it is today. Within the last decade, you’ve heard about how amazing everything in Austin is, and how life-changing a visit to the Gaines’ Silos in Waco can be. Both cities happen to be a short trip away from Fort Hood. So is San Antonio, where military families take advantage of their free admission to SeaWorld. Closer to Fort Hood, festival enthusiasts take heart because agreeable weather all year long allows the family’s schedule to be packed with outings dedicated to wine, art, rodeos, and a visit to the Central Texas State Fair. Find great food where the locals eat: Richard Rawling’s Garage, Rudy’s Bar-B-Que, and El Taco Jalisco.
Official Post Site: Fort Hood
Fort Hood Neighborhoods (Map courtesy Military Town Advisor)
Arrival Lodging
Contact Holiday Inn Express, Candlewood Suites, and IHG Army Hotels, 254-532-5157, 254-532-8233 or-1-877-711-8326 for reservations. Reservations are recommended, due to the large number of soldiers in an official status. Lodging is in two locations.
Temporary Lodging
Wratten Drive
Off of Tank Destroyer Boulevard
Building 36006
Fort Hood, TX 76544
Fort Hood Housing
Military housing at Fort Hood is privatized. Housing is available in 12 different communities with a variety of floor plan options that will accommodate families of different sizes. Housing is provided by Lend Lease, Fort Hood Family Housing.
Housing Contact Information:
Phone (call or text) (254) 220-4799
18010 T. J. Mills Blvd Ste B209
Fort Hood, TX 76544
Fort Hood Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort Hood: Fort Hood Homes.
Harker Heights is an extension of Killeen with newer planned neighborhoods and good schools.
Copperas Cove, known as "the cove," is located out the back gate of Fort Hood and is a great place for a nice starter home.
Nolanville seems to be the newest of the desirable communities with lots of new construction homes in a very family friendly area.
If you don’t want to live close to post and want to be near a beautiful lake, then Belton may be a great place for you. Lake Belton area has a mix of military and civilians in the area. Most homes in Belton are larger and more expensive with less of a military feel, especially the closer you get to the water.
Base Search
City Search
Area Weather and Climate
Texas Hill Country south of Fort Hood
You likely won’t need winter gear at Fort Hood. The local governments don’t even own snow plows! Instead, stock up on sweatshirts, shorts, jeans, T-shirts, and maybe even cowboy boots if you want to be an official Texas transplant.
Spring rains equal wildflowers and fields of iconic Bluebonnets. In summer, the average temp is a sweltering 94 degrees, with a mere 2.3 inches of rain to cool off surfaces. In fact, rain just produces steam!
The fall season takes its time rolling in. Don’t expect September to feel brisk. Instead, keep an eye out for hurricane threats You know that high quality of life mentioned before? Here’s where it kicks in if you hate cold, snowy winters.
Fort Hood Area Schools
Two major systems serve school aged children: Fort Hood Post Schools and the Killeen Independent School District.
Private and charter schools are also available in the Fort Hood Area. Homeschoolers can connect with Texas Home Educators. The Student Liaison Officer on Fort Hood should also be knowledgeable about home school transitions.
Fort Hood area school links:
Support for Military and Families
There’s an abundance of educational, volunteer, and career improving possibilities in the Fort Hood area. Some of the top employers include the City of Killeen, Central Texas College, Metroplex Hospital, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.
For those wanting to finish a degree or take classes for personal enrichment, Excelsior College, A&M Central Texas, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Temple College are nearby.
More Fort Hood Area Info
).jpg)
Base Address:
761st Tank Battalion Ave
Fort Hood
,
76544-5024