Fort Drum is an active U.S. Army installation in northern New York, about 10 miles north of Watertown. It is home to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). This guide covers directions, visitor rules, housing, services, schools, medical care, and recreation.

Base Overview

Official name Fort Drum
Military branch United States Army
Base status Active
Street address 10100 North Riva Ridge Loop, Fort Drum, NY 13602
Main phone number 315-772-6011
Official website U.S. Army Fort Drum

Location and Directions

Fort Drum is in Jefferson County, about 10 miles north of Watertown and about 70 miles north of Syracuse. Hancock International Airport in Syracuse is the nearest major airport listed for the installation.

Starting point or place Useful information
Watertown About 10 miles south of Fort Drum
Syracuse About 70 miles south of Fort Drum
From the west Take Interstate 81 Exit 48A, then merge onto Interstate 781 to the Main Gate.
From the east Use NYS Route 190/Military Turnpike, NYS Route 374 West, NYS Route 3 West, and NYS Route 3A. Follow the signs to Fort Drum.

Visitor Information

The Visitor Control Center is in Building 11008 outside the Lt. Gen. Paul Cerjan/Main Gate. It is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors without a federal common access card with PIV must show a valid REAL ID, give a reason for entry, and voluntarily submit to a background check.

Visitors may self-sponsor a one-day visit from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Overnight or multiday visitors need a Department of Defense Common Access Card holder to sponsor them. Drivers must bring a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Confirm current access rules before traveling.

Housing and Lodging

Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes provides on-post family housing at the Soldier for Life Center/Clark Hall and can be reached at 315-221-5612. The Timbers provides unaccompanied housing at Building 8925 and can be reached at 888-732-8051. The Housing Services Office offers counseling, referrals, lease reviews, off-post housing help, inspections, and landlord-tenant assistance at 315-772-9397 or 315-772-8751. On-post lodging is available through IHG Army Hotels, and MWR offers cabins at Remington Park and RV camping.

Facilities and Services

Fort Drum has shopping, family support, and arrival services. The in-processing Reception Activity Barracks is open 24 hours for arriving Soldiers.

Service Contact
Army Community Service 315-772-6556 or 315-772-6557
Commissary 315-772-6581
Exchange, mall, and shoppettes 315-773-0061
Information and Referral 315-772-6799 or 800-826-0886
Reception Activity 315-772-3038 or 800-661-7158

Schools and Childcare

The installation states that a family’s residence location determines the applicable school district. School support services are in Clark Hall and can be reached at 315-772-3214 or 315-772-0281.

Child and Youth Services offers full-time, part-time, and hourly care, before- and after-school care, summer camps, teen programs, classes, and sports. Families must first create a profile and request care through MilitaryChildCare.com, then complete in-person registration with Parent Central Services at 315-772-8675. The South Riva Ridge Child Development Center can be reached at 315-772-9720, and Family Child Care can be reached at 315-772-2250 or 315-772-6716.

Medical Services

Guthrie Ambulatory Health Care Clinic is at Building 11050 on Mount Belvedere Boulevard. It offers primary care, pharmacy, radiology, physical therapy, preventive medicine, soldier readiness services, traumatic brain injury care, behavioral health, and specialty clinics. Call 1-888-838-1303 for appointments or 315-772-4655 for general questions and the patient advocate. Primary care hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and pharmacy hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eligibility varies by clinic and patient category. Nearby emergency-room facilities listed for the area include Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown and Carthage Area Hospital in Carthage.

Recreation and Amenities

Fort Drum MWR programs include McEwen Library, Pine Plains Bowling Center, an Automotive Skills Center, sports and fitness, aquatics, Outdoor Recreation, Remington Park, the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum, and The Peak event venue. Outdoor Recreation is at Building 11115 and offers equipment rentals, Leisure Travel Services, Warrior Adventure Quest, cabins, and RV camping. Call 315-772-8222.

People entering the training area for recreation need a Fort Drum Recreational Access Pass and must check in with Range Control through the iSportsman system or the official Sportsman’s Hotline.

Things to Know

  • Fort Drum is home to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
  • Cold winters and snow can occur from October through April.
  • Bring the identification and vehicle documents required by the current visitor rules.
  • Access rules, gate hours, and visitor procedures can change. Check current information before traveling.
  • Newly arriving Soldiers should follow the reception and in-processing instructions before reporting to their assigned units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Fort Drum?

Fort Drum is in northern New York, about 10 miles north of Watertown and about 70 miles north of Syracuse.

What identification does a visitor need?

Visitors without a federal common access card with PIV need a valid REAL ID and must provide a reason for entry.

Can visitors stay overnight without a sponsor?

No. Overnight and multiday visitors must be sponsored by a Department of Defense Common Access Card holder.

What medical clinic serves Fort Drum?

Guthrie Ambulatory Health Care Clinic provides medical services on the installation.

How do families request child care?

Families first create a profile and request care through MilitaryChildCare.com, then register in person with Parent Central Services.