Moving to Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood in the Missouri Ozarks is the Army's home for engineer, military police and chemical/biological training, with tens of thousands of trainees cycling through each year. Families live in on-post neighborhoods or in the adjoining small towns of St. Robert and Waynesville, with Ozark woods, rivers and caves close by.
| Branch | Army |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Waynesville / St. Robert, MO |
| Population served | More than 80,000 military and civilian personnel train at the installation each year |
| Airports | Waynesville-St. Robert Regional (TBN), about 9 miles, with limited United Express service to Chicago; larger options are in Springfield and St. Louis |
| Climate | Four seasons: humid summers with a few weeks near 100F, and winters with snow |
| On-base housing | Fort Leonard Wood Homes, run by Balfour Beatty Communities (about 1,800 homes in 4 neighborhoods) |
| Medical care | General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital |
| Family support center | Army Community Service / Family and MWR (Welcome Center 573-596-0590) |
Where families live
On-post family neighborhoods
Balfour Beatty-managed privatized housing across four neighborhoods; the Military Housing Office advises on availability.
St. Robert
The closest town to the main gate and the one most guides recommend for off-post living; also where most hotels sit.
Waynesville
The county seat next to St. Robert, with older Route 66-era sites and a small-town feel.
Schools
Four elementary schools on post feed into the Waynesville R-VI district, and military children also have access to additional elementary, middle and high schools in the district. The School Liaison Officer can help with transfers and records.
- Waynesville R-VI School District — Serves post and the St. Robert/Waynesville area.
On the installation: Four elementary schools on post operated within the Waynesville R-VI district
Fort Leonard Wood School Liaison Office, 573-596-0357
Things to do near Fort Leonard Wood
- Laughlin ParkoutdoorsFishing, a walking trail, a Trail of Tears memorial and a boardwalk above an underwater cave.
- Old Stagecoach Stop MuseummuseumLocal history museum in Waynesville, open Saturdays April through September or by appointment.
- 1903 Route 66 Courthouse MuseummuseumHistoric courthouse covering Trail of Tears and Missouri history, open by appointment.
- Outdoor Adventure CenteroutdoorsOn-post MWR outfitter for outdoor gear and trips (573-596-4223).
Realtors & local services
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Local programs & support
- Fort Leonard Wood Housing Services OfficeArmy housing office that handles on- and off-post housing referrals and orientation.
PCS tips for Fort Leonard Wood
- Call the Military Housing Office (573-329-0122) as soon as orders arrive, since wait times can be long.
- Summer heat peaks late July to early August and winters bring snow, so pack for both.
- Flights at the local airport are limited; most families fly into Springfield or St. Louis and drive.
- St. Robert has the nearest hotels if you need temporary lodging before housing is ready.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Midwest & Plains
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.