Fort Drum New York is a military base with a population of over 20,000. It is home to the 10th Mountain Division and their families. On the garrison there are more than 15,000 military service members and approximately 3,700 civilians who work at Fort Drum. On garrison land, or nearby, there are about 15,000 family members. Also, there are over 3,000 military veterans who reside in the area. Surrounded by natural sights to see, Fort Drum is a very popular destination to visit. The garrison works hard to give the Mountain Division and their families a home they can be happy in and that is equal to what they have given to the country.
At first, Fort Drum did not have the name it has today The army occupied it in the War of 1812. In 1908, it was used as a training site for the military and was called Pine Camp. The next year the land was purchased for the armies use. During World War II, the area went under renovations and during that time, the name was changed to Camp Drum. That name change was to honor General Hugh Drum. Then in 1974, Camp Drum was again changed and designed to be a permanent garrison. It was then that it received the name it has today: Fort Drum
Located in the Thousand Islands area, Fort Drum is one of the most beautiful areas of the United States. Fort Drum is only 30 miles from Canada, with the the Adirondack Mountains to the east and the Great Lakes to the west. During the summer months temperatures hover around the 70s or 80s. One of the many "thousand islands" called Wellesley Island has several trails to hike and prime spots to camp during warm weather. In winter, snowshoeing, skiing and hiking are all activities that visitors and residents enjoy. No matter the time of year, there is always something to see and do.
There is a rich history to learn about at Fort Drum. It is a place worth visiting on a dedicated trip, or on the way somewhere else. Passing up what the garrison has to offer would be a waste. The Thousand Islands region is worth it to explore and the close by vacation destinations like Canada and the Great Lakes are also worth seeing. Whoever decides to take a visit to Fort Drum New York won't be disappointed by the picturesque landscape
