Fort Leonard Wood
Around Fort Leonard Wood
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Town and around · Missouri · 53k people
Fort Leonard Wood
Locals say The Fort · “Fort Lost in the Woods”, “The Fort”
Small-town charm with a big Army heart.
Ozark Forest GreenLake of the Ozarks Blue
Welcome to The Fort! Whether you're here for the lake, the trails, or the base, you'll find a friendly community. Enjoy the pork steaks and the sunset over the water.
Clubs for Fort Leonard Wood
No clubs for Fort Leonard Wood yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Fort Leonard Wood. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Fort Leonard Wood. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- U.S. Army Engineer Museum Showcases military engineering history
- Fort Leonard Wood Major U.S. Army training post
- Lake of the Ozarks Massive reservoir with over 1,100 miles of shoreline
- Lake of the Ozarks State Park Largest state park in Missouri with trails and caves
- Ha Ha Tonka State Park Known for castle ruins and natural springs
- Bagnell Dam Creates Lake of the Ozarks, completed in 1931
- Outdoors Boating and water skiing
- Outdoors Fishing for bass and catfish
- With kids Visit the U.S. Army Engineer Museum
- With kids Spend a day at the lake beach
- Evenings Live music at lakefront bars
- Evenings Sunset cruises on the lake
- Locals love Lake marinas
- Locals love Bait and tackle shops
Through the year
- Lake of the Ozarks Shootout August High-speed boat race on the lake
- Lake of the Ozarks Air Show September Aerial performances over the lake
- Osage Beach Summer Concert Series Summer Outdoor live music in the summer
- Lake of the Ozarks Fireworks July 4th Fireworks display over the lake
- Waynesville Old Settlers Day September Community celebration with parade and food
Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Fort”
- Fort Leonard Wood
- “The Lake”
- Lake of the Ozarks
Getaways
- Rolla Home of Missouri S&T, good hiking
- Lebanon Route 66 town with vintage charm
- Jefferson City State capitol and riverfront
- Springfield Bass Pro Shops and outdoor culture
Local flavour
Rooting for St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Blues
Eat and drink
- Fried Catfish A staple of Ozarks lake cuisine, often served with hush puppies and coleslaw.
- Pork Steak A Missouri favorite, especially grilled and slathered with sweet BBQ sauce.
- Ozark-style Barbecue Slow-smoked meats with a vinegar-tomato sauce, common in the region's small-town smokehouses.
Where people go
- Military base Fort Leonard Wood is the heart of the area, a major Army training installation.
- Lake marinas The Lake of the Ozarks has numerous marinas, boat rentals, and lakeside resorts.
- Ozark hiking trails Forested hills with trails like the Ozark Trail and local conservation areas.
- Bait and tackle shops Small local shops that serve both fishermen and hunters.
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its Ozark heritage, the man-made Lake of the Ozarks, and the strong military community centered on Fort Leonard Wood.
This time of year in Fort Leonard Wood
- Deer hunting season Fall A major autumn tradition.
Say it like a local: “Crick” — Creek
Festivals
- Lake of the Ozarks Shootout August High-speed powerboat races on the lake.
- Lake of the Ozarks Air Show August Aerial performances over the lake.
- Waynesville Old Settlers Day September Celebrates local history with parades and crafts.
- Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Boat Parade December Boats decorated with lights cruise the lake.
- Osage Beach Summer Concert Series Summer Weekly outdoor concerts at the lake.
- Lake of the Ozarks Fireworks July 4th Fireworks displays over the water.
Landmarks with a story
- U.S. Army Engineer Museum Showcases the history of Army engineers.
- Waynesville Historic District 19th-century buildings along the old stagecoach route.
- Old Stagecoach Stop A restored stagecoach inn from the 1850s.
- Pulaski County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Waynesville.
- Bagnell Dam The dam that created the Lake of the Ozarks in 1931.
- Ha Ha Tonka State Park Castle ruins and natural springs.
Food traditions
- Morel mushroom hunting Ozarkers forage for morels in the woods each spring.
- Church fish fries Friday fish fries at local churches during Lent.
- Persimmon pudding A traditional Ozark dessert made from wild persimmons.
- Pawpaw fruit Foraging for the tropical-tasting pawpaw fruit in late summer.
Music and arts
- Ozark folk music Old-time and bluegrass traditions.
- Lake of the Ozarks country music scene Live bands at lake bars and resorts.
- Ozark quilters Quilting circles and traditional patterns.
- Woodcarving traditions Hand-carved decoys and folk art.
A little history
- 1931 Bagnell Dam completed, creating Lake of the Ozarks
- 1940 Fort Leonard Wood established as an Army training post
- 1800s Ozark settlers arrive, relying on farming and timber
- 1850s Stagecoach routes pass through Waynesville
- Game day High school football
- Game day Lake of the Ozarks Shootout
- Outdoors Hiking the Ozark Trail
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Niangua River
- With kids Visiting the lake beach
- With kids Going to a waterpark
Locals speak with a Southern Midland accent, often dropping the 'g' in -ing words and using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.'
Only here
- The U.S. Army Engineer, Military Police, and Chemical Schools at Fort Leonard Wood.
- Lake of the Ozarks has over 1,150 miles of shoreline, more than the California coast.
- The Ha Ha Tonka Castle ruins, a burned mansion turned state park.
- The Bagnell Dam created the lake, making it one of the largest man-made lakes in the US.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and mild winters.
- Expect heavy traffic at the lake on summer weekends.
- Learn the lake's 'no wake' zones to avoid fines.
- The military base brings a transient population; many locals are veterans or active duty.
- Try the local BBQ and fried catfish.
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Nearby
Every areaRollaMissouriSmall-town charm at the crossroads of the Ozarks.LebanonMissouriSmall-town heart, lake-country soul.SalemMissouriClear rivers, deep woods, and warm smiles.Mountain GroveMissouriWhere the hills hold secrets and the people are warm.Lake of the OzarksMissouriWhere the hills meet the water.HermannMissouriWhere the Missouri River meets German heritage and wine.Jefferson CityMissouriMissouri's riverfront capital, where the heart of the state beats.West PlainsMissouriWhere the hills hold stories and the sunsets linger.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.