Fort Drum
Fort Drum Relocation Information
Image via army.mil
Welcome to Fort Drum!
Early on, Fort Drum was used as a military training site, named Pine Camp, in 1908. However, the Army's presence in the North Country is traced back to the early 1800s when it piggybacked onto the prime location and strong economy in relationship to Canada, just across Lake Ontario. This location allowed for profitable trade agreements with Canada and England in addition to becoming a strategic shipbuilding center.
Initially coined Camp Drum in 1951, in honor of Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum, the installation’s name was again changed to Fort Drum in 1974 after its permanent presence was solidified. Today, Fort Drum houses nearly 20,000 soldiers.
Fort Drum is home to the Army's prestigious 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). The Mountaineers are often called upon to serve and have seen, and continue to encounter, frequent deployments. The mission at Fort Drum includes a command of active component units to support tenant units in addition to active and reserve units in training. Fort Drum provides support to all of the service branches, 11 states, and portions of Canada.
Whiteface Mountain in New York's Adirondack Mountains via army.mil
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Drum
1) How far is Fort Drum from the Canadian border?
It’s about 30 miles driving distance to the Canadian border. If you’re considering Canadian travel while stationed at Fort Drum, note that Montreal is a 3.5 hour drive and Niagara Falls is 4 hours away. Ottawa, Ontario, is closer to home at a 2.5 hour drive time.
2) How far is Fort Drum from New York City?
It’s about a 6-hour drive from Fort Drum to NYC, as is Boston and Philadelphia.
3) How much snow does Fort Drum get?
Fort Drum averages about 102 inches of snow per year, thanks in part to Lake Ontario and “lake effect snow.” In comparison, the U.S. average is 28 inches of snow.
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Base Location and Information
Official Site: Fort Drum
Map of Fort Drum via army.mil
Outdoor adventures await military families headed up to Fort Drum. Uniquely set between Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, and the Adirondack Mountains, the landscape has plenty to show off. In between these iconic destination lie the St. Lawrence River and the famed Thousand Islands.
The North Country, as the region is known, offers downtime activities that include hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, camping, swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, apple picking, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowmobiling—just to get you started with a few fun ideas! Don’t forget about hockey and Lake Placid, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games.
For less active outings, try a scenic boat tour of the Thousand Islands, shop at multiple farmers markets, and visit local wineries, craft brew pubs, and distilleries. If history and cultural excursions are more your taste, nearby battlefields with reenactments of the lifestyle during the War of 1812 are popular, as are tours of Boldt Castle on Heart Island off the shore of Alexandria Bay.
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Arrival Lodging
Candlewood Suites at Fort Drum
Fort Drum offers on base lodging through IHG Army Hotels. To make reservations, visit the IHG Army Hotel site or call 1-877-711-TEAM.
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Fort Drum Housing
P-10720 Mt. Belvedere Blvd.
Clark Hall, Room A2-54
Fort Drum, NY, 13602
(315) 772-9397
P-10720 Mt. Belvedere Blvd.
Clark Hall, Room A2-54
Fort Drum, NY, 13602
(315) 836-4168
Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes, operated by the Winn Companies and Lendlease, is the team that offers Fort Drum residents housing on base. Convenient access to work is one of the top selling points for on base housing, but military families also enjoy the sense of community found among neighborhoods that participate in community wide events and enjoy public amenities such as playgrounds, dog parks, and fitness centers. Servicemembers are offered choices of housing styles that include multiple floor plans with two-, three-, and, four-bedroom layouts.
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Fort Drum Off-Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort Drum
Victorian Era House in Painted Post, NY
Watertown, New York, is Fort Drum’s closest and largest neighbor, and many families reside there because of the proximity to the base and due to the convenience of the commercial amenities— they’re the densest in Watertown. The variations in housing range from modern to historic to single family and apartments and condos. Other attractions include idyllic parks and the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park.
Military families also choose to live in Carthage, thanks to the spacious lots, charming scenery, and the public school system’s solid reputation. Homes in the style of the Victorian era, Cape Cod, and Mid-century styles are the primary choices, but townhouses and apartments are available. Sackets Harbor, Black River, Croghan, Glen Park, Lacona, and Natural Bridge are also nearby choices.
Whitewater Park via Doug Kerr
When house hunting, expect to find an eclectic mix of modern and historic housing styles in various neighborhoods; some need attention and there are others that are thriving. You’ll also find that there’s a solid chance your neighbors won’t be military affiliated, but the local population has always been supportive of Fort Drum’s presence, as it is the region’s largest employer.
Snow, and a lot of it, is a way of life in Fort Drum. Although newcomers often have to adjust to the snowfall amounts, Fort Drum and the surrounding towns have solid winter preparedness plans and snow removal is a normal part of life. Don’t expect widespread closures to occur when the flakes begin to fall.
The cost of living is somewhat elevated in the area as compared to the rest of the U.S. This is due to the high costs of utilities during the winter season, in addition to the high New York state property taxes.
Base Search
City Search
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Fort Drum Weather & Climate
Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River via Chris M Morris
As you can imagine, Fort Drum does have more than enough snow, and is coldest in January and February, but Fort Drum also has very pleasant summers in June, July, and August because the heat and humidity don’t reach high numbers.
Lake effect snow and wind are predominant weather patterns in Upstate New York, but don’t forget about the picturesque fall season colors throughout the nearby Adirondack Mountains.
- Summer: July average high 80 degrees
- Winter: January average low is 9 degrees
- Rain: about 40 inches per year
- Snow: about 102 inches per year
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Fort Drum Schools
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On Post Schools at Fort Drum
Fort Drum does not offer education on the base. Military families who live on base and prefer public school are assigned to schools either in Carthage Central School District or Indian River Central School District, depending on which housing area is chosen: Rhicard Hills housing community attends the Carthage Central School District and students living in Adirondack Creek, Crescent Woods, or Monument Ridge housing communities attend the Indian River School District. The map above provided by CYS Services helps to point out boundary lines.
Off base, school age children attend one of the districts mentioned above, depending on their address. Carthage and Indian River School Districts have one high school for grades 9-12. Each also has one middle school, but there is a difference in grade groups: Carthage Middle School offers grades 5-8 and Indian River Middle School offers grades 6-8. Carthage has three K-4 elementary schools. Indian River has five primary schools, which serves K-3, and one intermediate school for grades 4 and 5.
Popular private schools include: Augustinian Academy, Faith Fellowship Christian School, and Immaculate Heart Central.
The Student Liaison Officer (SLO), (315) 772-3214, offers all families assistance with any type education questions, but may be particularly helpful for families who intend to homeschool. These are a couple of the resources the SLO shares: New York State Homeschool Regulations, New York State Homeschool FAQs, CYS Sports for Homeschool Students.
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Support for Military and Families
The Army Continuing Education Services is the first stop servicemembers and their spouses should make if considering going back to school during your duty station at Fort Drum. The office suggests guidance and provides testing for college and non-traditional educational tracts.
The Employment Readiness Program on Fort Drum supports all job seekers with resume assistance, networking, and job fairs. The most prevalent industries near Fort Drum include: healthcare, hospitality, and retail. For spouses who prefer to work from home operating their own businesses, note the registration requirements.
Fort Drum's Trail System
Some more helpful links:
More Fort Drum Area Info
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Base Address:
10000 10th Mountain Division Drive
Fort Drum
,
13602-5000