If you’re looking for places near Fort Hood, there are a number of great options available to you. To help make your search easier and more enjoyable, we’ve selected the top neighborhoods and areas around the base.
Fort Hood
Fort Hood, located 12 miles north of Killeen, was established in 1917 and currently has over 50,000 soldiers and civilians employed at the base. The Fort Hood 35th Air Defense Artillery Regiment is a Patriot Systems Surface-to-Air Missile battalion responsible for air and missile defense of the base. Fort Hood’s main gate is located at 901 Beltway Drive in Killeen.
Killeen Area Chamber of Commerce
K-Town or Killeen/Temple is located 25 miles southeast of Fort Hood. The area has a population of around 60,000 and is known for its museums and shops. The town has a number of great bars, restaurants and pubs that boast live music in the evenings. The Southern Surgical Hospital is located in Killeen.
Fort Hood Around Town This blog offers local entertainment updates for Fort Hood residents.
Area attractions:
Lake Belton State Park
The park offers fishing, camping, a nature center, and hiking trails. Lake Belton State Park is located four miles northwest of Killeen. The park also has a swimming pool for the people of Killeen and the surrounding area.
Fort Hood Nature Preserve
Area attractions: Horseback riding, camping, swimming, fishing and birds of prey.
Harker Heights
Located five miles northwest of Fort Hood, Harker Heights has a population of around 35,000. Harker Heights is well known for its local parks and recreation centers. Harker Heights is located five miles northwest of Fort Hood. There are numerous parks and recreation areas in the city, along with a newly constructed aquatic center called The Center at Harker Heights. On Sundays from spring to fall you can take part in the farmers’ market at the Central Texas Marketplace mall. Harker Heights has a number of shops and stores to browse through and the local movie theater has recently been remodeled.
Top Area Attractions at Harker Heights are the Harker Heights Public Library and the James D. Pate Community Center .
Area attractions: There are a number of great parks and recreation areas to spend the day at, including the five-mile hike and bike trail called the Tejas Trails. The city also has an aquatic center called The Center at Harker Heights.
Belton
Belton is located 15 miles south of Fort Hood. In 2012, Belton’s population was around 17,000. This central Texas town boasts a fantastic downtown area with many shops and restaurants. The downtown area of Belton is a fun place to spend an afternoon or evening. You’ll find the World Birding Center and its five-mile trail system, golfing, and horseback riding.
Area attractions: Belton has a great selection of shops and restaurants to browse through, making it a fun place for an afternoon or evening. The town also boasts an aquarium, and a beautiful enclosed downtown square with fun shops and restaurants.
Lake Belton State Park is located four miles northwest of Killeen. The park offers fishing, camping, a nature center and hiking trails. The park also has a swimming pool for the people of Killeen and the surrounding area.
Temple
Temple is located 25 miles south of Fort Hood. Temple was settled in 1881 and has a population of around 80,000. Temple’s economy is largely tied to Texas A&M University and its 70,000 students. The city is also home to the Central Texas Marketplace mall. Temple is located 25 miles south of Fort Hood and is a fun place to visit if you have an afternoon or two to spare.
Top area attractions: A few popular spots in town include the Central Texas Marketplace mall, Temple Square and the historic Paramount Theatre.
Copperas Cove
Copperas Cove, located 21 miles north of Fort Hood, has a population of 40,000. It’s often referred to as the “Crossroads of the World.” Copperas Cove is home to Fort Hood’s third main gate and also has its own courthouse, fire department and post office. The city is also home to numerous family-friendly restaurants and pubs.
Area attractions: Coushatta National Recreation Area is a great place to spend the day, as well as some of the State Parks in the area including Lake Livingston Nature Center and Lake Conroe State Park.
Nolanville
Nolanville is located 10 miles south of Fort Hood. This central Texas town has a population of around 4,000. Nolanville offers a number of interesting shops and restaurants and its Westside Park offers several fun family-friendly activities including hiking, swimming and baseball.
Area attractions: Nolanville has a pub and restaurant offering live music in the evenings. Many visitors to Nolanville enjoy taking a trip to the nearby Coon Creek State Park. This park offers volleyball, picnicking and camping.
Strawberry Valley
Strawberry Valley is the name given to the area surrounding the intersection of State Highway 195 and Farm to Market Road 1125, which is located just north of Fort Hood. Strawberry Valley boasts several shopping areas, restaurants and entertainment venues. Many Fort Hood families consider the Strawberry Valley area to be an ideal place for weekend recreation.
Area attractions: Strawberry Valley offers great barbecue and western wear, along with several malls and movie theaters.
Texarkana
The Texarkana region is located 12 miles south of Fort Hood. The city of Texarkana has a population of around 43,000. While the city is known for its music and country culture, it also has a large military presence. The region is home to Camp Bowie, which is one of the largest military bases in the world .
Area attractions: Texarkana offers a fun music scene, as well as many parks and recreational areas including the Dexter E. Chappelle Memorial Park . The region also has an art museum, several museums and the Trinity River.
Kepner
Kepner is located 20 miles south of Fort Hood. The city has a population of around 7,000. Kepner is home to the Fort Hood National Cemetery, which holds over 21,000 graves and includes Medal of Honor recipients, as well as World War II veterans from the Pacific Theater.
Area attractions: Kepner offers a number of leisure activities including an annual rodeo, and a movie theater.
Crosbyton
Crosbyton is a town located 20 miles south of Fort Hood. Located near the intersections of U.S. Highway 281 and Texas Highway 16, Crosbyton has a population of around 4,000. Crosbyton is home to several family-friendly restaurants and pubs.
Area attractions: Crosbyton offers great barbecue and western wear.
Lampassas
Lampassas is a town located 25 miles north of Fort Hood. After the Civil War, the town of Lampassas was established as a community for freed slaves. Today Lampassas boasts about 3,000 residents. The downtown area of Lampassas is home to several family-friendly bars and pubs.
Area attractions: Lampassas is home to the Don Aldez Park and Recreation Area. This park offers fishing and swimming. The region has a movie theater as well as several other parks and recreational areas.
Bartonville
Bartonville was originally the county seat for Bastrop County until 1858 when County Judge A. R. Lea moved the county seat to the newly founded city of Kyle. Bartonville is located 45 miles northwest of Killeen. Bartonville’s population is around 2,500. The town is home to a number of unique shops and restaurants.
Area attractions: Bartonville offers great barbecue and western wear.
Salado
Believed to be one of the oldest towns in Texas, Salado was settled in 1847. It is located 35 miles north of Killeen and 40 miles south of Waco. Salado enjoys a small-town atmosphere while having all the conveniences of a larger city. Located on Lake Georgetown, Salado offers fishing, boating, swimming and a lot of fun with family and friends.
Area attractions: Salado offers a sandy beach, great restaurants and a variety of family-friendly activities including the annual River Days.
Spanish Oaks
Spanish Oaks, located 35 miles north of Killeen, is a town with a population of around 5,000. Spanish Oaks boasts several shops and restaurants. The downtown area of Spanish Oaks is home to several fun family-friendly establishments.
Area attractions: Spanish Oaks offers great barbecue, great shopping and a movie theater.
Manor
Manor was settled in 1843. Located 25 miles northwest of Fort Hood, Manor has a population of about 8,000. In 2009, the city named Angela Kimbell as its first woman police chief . The city also has its own courthouse and fire department.
Area attractions: Manor offers a number of sporting events including roller derby and football. The city also offers a variety of fun family-friendly activities including the annual Old Fashioned Christmas Parade.
White Rock Estates
White Rock Estates is located just west of Fort Hood. The town boasts a population of around 800 residents. You’ll find plenty of quaint shops and restaurants in White Rock Estates.
Area attractions: The town hosts a small-town Fourth of July celebration complete with food, drinks and live music.
Mason
The City of Mason is located 20 miles north of Fort Hood. Mason’s population is just over 7,000 and the town has its own courthouse, fire department and post office.
Area attractions: Mason offers a variety of family-friendly activities including the annual Elvis Festival.
Copperas Cove
Copperas Cove provides a convenient location for people in and around Fort Hood to visit. The city is located 21 miles north-northeast of Fort Hood. The town has a population of around 40,000. While the city is known for its music and country culture, it also has a large military presence.
Area attractions: Copperas Cove offers a fun music scene, as well as many parks and recreational areas including the A.E. Wood Park . The region also has an art museum, several museums and the Trinity River.
Skipcha Mountain Estates
Skipcha Mountain Estates is located in the Killeen-Tarkington area of Bell County. Fort Hood is located just 15 miles north of Skipcha Mountain Estates. The city has a population of around 2,400.
Area attractions: Skipcha Mountain Estates is close to a number of family-friendly activities including the annual Jazz on the Plaza.
Knights Ridge
Knights Ridge, TX is located in the Killeen-Tarkington area of Bell County. Fort Hood is located just 15 miles north of Knights Ridge. The city has a population of around 1,400.
Area attractions: Knights Ridge offers a lot of family-friendly activities including the annual Fourth of July Celebration.
Evergreen Estates
Located in central Bell County, Evergreen Estates is located around 20 miles north of Fort Hood. The town has a population of around 900.
Area attractions: Evergreen Estates offers a few fun places to visit including the Bell County Museum and the Earl Carlton Arboretum.
Northcliffe
Northcliffe is located just north of Fort Hood. The city has a population of just over 700. Northcliffe is quiet and residential, with just a few restaurants and shops.
Area attractions: Northcliffe has few family-friendly activities, but it is close to the Bella Vista Trail which offers a little adventure for the entire family.
Oak View
Oak View is located north of Fort Hood on U.S. Highway 190, just 15 miles outside the gates of Fort Hood. The city has a population of around 2,000 residents and features many unique shops and restaurants.
Area attractions: Oak View offers a number of family-friendly activities including the annual Texas Motorplex.
Fort Hood Military Base
Fort Hood Military Base is the largest U.S. military installation in the world, containing more than 142 square miles. The fort is located in Texas, just east of Killeen and about 60 miles north of Austin and San Antonio. The 316,000 acre facility is home to more than 50,000 active duty soldiers and around 7,800 civilian employees.
Fort Hood Attractions
The Fort Hood Zoo, located less than one mile from the base headquarters, features over 2,500 animals of 138 species.
The Fort Hood Museum located across the street from the base headquarters, is operated by the Killeen Historical Society and displays military artifacts and memorabilia with a focus on the history of the post.
Fort Hood is located in the Killeen-Temple metropolitan area. The surrounding communities include Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Nolanville and Salado.
Killeen is a major retail destination for the state of Texas, and an estimated 77 percent of the 2.3 million people who visit Killeen each year come for the purpose of shopping. The number one mall in Texas and seventh largest in the nation is Floyd Casey, which was named after a long-serving congressman from this region.
Fort Hood Blora and Copperas Cove
Blora, Texas and Copperas Cove are the two communities neighboring Fort Hood within the Killeen-Temple, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. The military base has been given partial credit for these two cities being among the fastest growing in central Texas.
The population of Blora increased from 511 in 2000 to 3,224 in 2008. Twelve percent of Blora’s residents are military and their families.
The population of Copperas Cove, according to the 2010 census, increased from 2,979 to 6,092 over the fifteen years of study. These residents of Copperas Cove make up 23.3 percent of the population while military personnel account for 8.8 percent.
Major Cities in the Area
Fort Hood is located near the following major cities: Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.
