Fort Cavazos
Fort Cavazos Relocation Information
Image via Walter Lanier / Herald
Fort Cavazos, Texas, is one of the largest active duty U.S. military installations.
You'll feel at home in the Lone Star State if you love good barbecue, sweet onions, and armor-plated armadillos. 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 Cavazos 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 Cavazos. It's home to the 1st Cavalry Division, the largest armored division in the United States.
More than 35,000 soldiers operate at Fort Cavazos, which means the base is so large that one out of 10 active duty soldiers in the Army is assigned to Fort Cavazos.
Moving to the Fort Cavazos area? Download your free ebook below!
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Cavazos
1) Why is Fort Cavazos called "The Great Place"?
According to Army.mil:
"Like the state of Texas, Fort Cavazos is big and boasts of being the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Forces. Fort Cavazos 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 Cavazos have?
While Fort Cavazos 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 Cavazos in?
Fort Cavazos is located in Bell and Corryell counties in Central Texas.
4) Where is Fort Cavazos located?
Fort Cavazos is in the city of Killeen, Texas, and was named for General John Bell Cavazos, a Confederate general during the American Civil War.
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Photo from Canva
Base Location and Information
Fort Cavazos 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 Cavazos
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 neighborCavazoss. Surrounding off post neighborCavazoss near Fort Cavazos include Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville, and Belton. Fort Cavazos 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 Cavazos. So is San Antonio, where military families take advantage of their free admission to SeaWorld. Closer to Fort Cavazos, 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.
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Fort Cavazos 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 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 Cavazos, TX 76544
Fort Cavazos Housing
Military housing at Fort Cavazos is privatized. Housing is available in 12 different communities with various floor plan options to accommodate families of different sizes. Housing is provided by Lend Lease, Fort Cavazos Family Housing.
Housing Contact Information:
Phone (call or text) (254) 287-4212
18010 T. J. Mills Blvd Ste B209
Fort Cavazos, TX 76544
Fort Cavazos Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort Cavazos: Fort Cavazos Homes.
Harker Heights Evening Star Facebook Page
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 Cavazos 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. The Lake Belton area has a mix of military and civilians. 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
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Fort Cavazos BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort Cavazos is near Killeen and Harker Heights and has many options to buy or rent. Some sample Fort Cavazos BAH rates for zip code 76544:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,398
- E-1 without dependents: $1,218
- E-9 with dependents: $1,959
- E-9 without dependents: $1,500
- O-1 with dependents: $1,434
- O-1 without dependents: $1,392
- O-7 with dependents: $2,337
- O-7 without dependents: $1,899
Area Weather and Climate
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Texas Hill Country south of Fort Cavazos
Photo from Canva by Martina Birnbaum
You likely won’t need winter gear at Fort Cavazos. 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, watch 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 Cavazos Area Schools
Two major systems serve school-aged children: Fort Cavazos Post Schools and the Killeen Independent School District.
Private and charter schools are also available in the Fort Cavazos Area. Homeschoolers can connect with Texas Home Educators. The Student Liaison Officer at Fort Cavazos should also be knowledgeable about home-school transitions.
Fort Cavazos area school links:
Support for Military and Families
Photo from Canva by Jacob Lund
There are abundant educational, volunteer, and career-improving possibilities in the Fort Cavazos area. Some of the top employers include the City of Killeen, Central Texas College, Metroplex Hospital, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.
Excelsior College, A&M Central Texas, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Temple College are nearby for those wanting to finish a degree or take classes for personal enrichment.
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Things to Do Near Fort Cavazos
Summer Fun Water Park
- Bell County Museum: Offers quality exhibits, educational interactives, and fun events for the entire family.
- Central Texas Theatre: Previously known as Vive Les Arts Theatre is dedicated to bringing high quality live performances to the Central Texas area.
- Topsey Exotic Ranch & Park: A fun-filled day meeting animal species from all over the world. Visit The Safari, The Walkaround, The Petting Zoo, and The Gift Shop.
- Magnolia Market at the Silos in Waco: Magnolia Market is popular destination for fans of the HGTV show "Fixer Upper" and home decor enthusiasts.
- Mayborn Science Museum: Embark on an imaginary journey through time and space. Located on the campus of Central Texas College in Killeen and immerse yourself in a state-of-the-art experience like no other
- Luv 2 Play Killeen: An indoor playground and entertainment center that offers a variety of activities for children.
- Summer Fun Water Park : A great way to beat the heat and have a blast with a wide range of thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and kiddie area to cater all ages.
More Fort Cavazos Area Info
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Base Address:
761st Tank Battalion Ave
Killeen
,
76544-5024