Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is an active U.S. Air Force installation near Dayton and Fairborn, Ohio. This guide covers directions, visitor access, lodging, services, schools, medical care, and recreation. Gate rules and service hours can change, so check current details before you travel.

Base Overview

Official name Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Military branch U.S. Air Force
Base status Active
Street address 5135 Pearson Road, Building 10, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Main phone number 937-257-1110
Visitor Center phone 937-257-6506
Official website Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Location and Directions

Wright-Patterson AFB is in Greene and Montgomery Counties, less than one mile from Fairborn and about five miles from Dayton. Interstate 675 and U.S. Route 35 provide access. Dayton International Airport is the nearest listed airport.

For vehicle arrival, the newcomers guidance lists Gate 12A in Area A, near the Hope Hotel, as the main entry point. GPS users can enter 10823 Chidlaw Road, Building 823, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433. The installation has Areas A, B, and Kittyhawk; Area B is about two miles from the other areas.

Visitor Information

The Visitor Control Center is at 4185 Logistics Avenue, Building 286, outside Area A. Its phone number is 937-257-6506. Visitors without the right installation credentials may need a visitor pass. Military members and DoD civilians generally use a CAC or another approved credential. Contractors and guests may need to stop at Pass and Registration or the Visitor Control Center.

Area A gate hours include Gate 12A, which is open 24/7; Gate 1A, open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Gate 15A, open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Gate 26A, for commercial traffic only from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays. Confirm current gate hours, closures, traffic conditions, and access rules before traveling.

Housing and Lodging

Wright-Patt Inns and limited Temporary Lodging Facility units are available for eligible personnel and families. The Hope Hotel is outside Gate 12A. Wright-Patt Inns can be reached at 937-257-3451, and the Military Housing Office is at 937-257-6547. Privatized housing is managed by Properties at Wright Field, and unaccompanied housing is available for eligible unaccompanied Airmen, including some junior enlisted personnel.

The Wright-Patterson Fisher House offers temporary lodging for eligible families and caregivers of military-affiliated patients treated at Wright-Patterson Medical Center or an associated community hospital. Its phone number is 937-257-0855.

Facilities and Services

Service group Examples
Shopping Wright-Patterson Commissary and Base Exchange
Support Military and Family Readiness Center, ID-card services, education and training, passports, mail, chaplains, and veterinary care
Dining Pitsenbarger Dining Facility, restaurants, and cafés in Areas A and B

Other services include lodging, Outdoor Recreation, an Arts and Crafts Center, an Auto Hobby Shop, Information, Tickets and Travel, childcare, youth services, fitness centers, pools, Kittyhawk Lanes Bowling Center, golf courses, and the Rod and Gun Club.

Schools and Childcare

On-base Child Development Centers care for children from six weeks through five years. Certified in-home care is also available through the Air Force Family Child Care program. Before- and after-school care is offered for eligible children ages five through twelve.

The School Liaison Office helps with school enrollment, district changes, and local education resources. It can be reached at 937-656-0942. Youth programs include after-school and summer care, sports, teen leadership, arts, STEM, enrichment classes, and special events.

Medical Services

Wright-Patterson Medical Center is at 4881 Sugar Maple Drive, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433. Services include family medicine, dental care, pediatrics, women's health, mental health, pharmacy, and specialty care. Call 937-522-2778 for appointments. The emergency department is open 24/7; the on-base emergency number is 937-257-9111. After-hours nurse advice is available at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273).

Recreation and Amenities

Recreation options include Jarvis, Dodge, and Wright Field fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; tennis facilities; a running track; ball fields; Twin Base Golf Course; and Prairie Trace Golf Course. Outdoor Recreation offers equipment rentals and programs, while Bass Lake Recreation Area, FAMCamp, picnic areas, and pavilions provide outdoor options.

Fishing and other outdoor activities follow installation rules. Most recreation resources have access limits for DoD personnel, guests, families, retirees, reservists, and authorized employees. Wright Memorial Hill and Huffman Prairie Flying Field are listed as open to the public.

Things to Know

  • Wright-Patterson AFB is open and fully operational.
  • Area B is separate from the main Area A complex.
  • Allow extra time for identification checks and visitor-pass processing.
  • Access to services and recreation programs depends on eligibility.
  • Gate hours and operating information can change, so check current details before traveling.
  • The base directory phone number is 937-257-1110.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base?

It is near Dayton and Fairborn, Ohio, in Greene and Montgomery Counties.

What is the main visitor gate?

Gate 12A in Area A, near the Hope Hotel, is listed as the primary entry point for newcomers and is open 24/7.

Where is the Visitor Control Center?

It is at 4185 Logistics Avenue, Building 286, outside Area A. Call 937-257-6506.

Does the base offer medical care?

Yes. Wright-Patterson Medical Center offers primary, dental, pediatric, women's, mental health, pharmacy, and specialty services.

Is recreation open to everyone?

Not always. Many recreation programs and sites have access limits based on eligibility. Wright Memorial Hill and Huffman Prairie Flying Field are open to the public.