Carlisle Barracks  In-depth Overview

The U.S. Army Garrison provides quality infrastructure and services to support Carlisle Barracks units' mission readiness and execution while enabling the well-being of the regional military community.

Carlisle Barracks is the second oldest army installation, dating back to 1745, when British soldiers created the "Camp near Carlisle." In December 1776, the Continental Congress authorized establishment of an ordnance center at Washingtonburg, as the Barracks was called during the Revolutionary War. Carlisle Barracks was the home of the Indian Industrial School where the All-American football halfback Jim Thorpe attended. Carlisle Barracks is now an Installation Management Agency installation supporting the U.S. Army War College, a field operating agency of the U.S. Army, which educates and prepares military officers for leadership at the highest levels. 

2,444 Active Duty (1054 on base, 344off base, and 1,426 reserves)

5029 Family members (2,233 of active within 40 miles, and 2,796of reserves within 40 miles)

3014 Civilians (1,297 on base, 3,127 within 40 miles)

4,876 Military Retirees

13,812 Military Retired Family Members

Harrisburg-Carlisle Metro Area's population is 591,712.

Carlisle Barracks is located in Cumberland County in South Central Pennsylvania, near the state capital at Harrisburg. Agriculture, tourism, industry and services all play vital roles in the local economies. Harrisburg, and nearby Hershey, combine to form a nucleus of culture, education, healthcare, and government. Carlisle Barracks, is one of the oldest active military posts in the United States. The cost of living in Cumberland County compares favorably to those of the metropolitan areas and adjacent counties. Housing costs run about fifteen percent less, health care costs are about five percent less, and grocery costs are about two percent less than surrounding areas. The base operator's phone number is 717-245-3131.

If you're traveling by air, Harrisburg International Airport serves the Cumberland Valley with more 120 flights daily and is just a thirty minute drive from Carlisle.  For more information visit the airport's website.

From Harrisburg International Airport

Carlisle Barracks is adjacent to Carlisle, Pennsylvania: 18 miles west of Harrisburg, PA - 27 miles north of Gettysburg. The Army installation is located almost two miles west of the Carlisle interchange of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81.

Map your route to 870 Jim Thorpe Road, Carlisle 17013 (open 24 hours/7 days)

NOTE: Do not map your route directly to an on-base address - you risk that your mapping system will direct you to make an unauthorized entry, with resulting police intervention and possible citation.

DO Use '870 Jim Thorpe Road' ... and then follow signage on post to your destination.

From Harrisburg International Airport or via PA Turnpike (I76)

Upon exiting the airport follow the signs to PA-283 West and then the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) West.

Exit the Turnpike at the Carlisle exit, Exit 226 (old exit number 16).

Once through the tollbooth stay to the right toward US 11 South and follow the signs to Carlisle Barracks.

Turn left at Harmony Hall Road (second traffic light).

Turn right at Claremont Road.

Turn left at Jim Thorpe & Claremont roads to enter vehicle security point. ID card holders proceed directly to gate guard. Unescorted visitors use left lane to Visitors Center.

From North or South on I81

Take Exit 52 Middlesex/Carlisle and follow Highway 11 South into Carlisle.

Left on Harmony Hall Road

Right on Claremont Road

Turn left at Jim Thorpe & Claremont roads to enter vehicle security point. ID card holders proceed directly to gate guard. Unescorted visitors use left lane to Visitors Center.

From DC area

From I495 Beltway west, take I270 North toward Frederick, MD

Continue north on Hwy 15 at Frederick

Exit onto Hwy 74 (North = left) at Dillsburg , PA

Upon reaching Carlisle intersection with Hwy 641/Trindle Road/East High Street (Speedway Gas on right), turn left and proceed one block to N. Spring Garden St.; turn right and proceed two blocks to East North Street; turn right and proceed 9.5 miles to the entrance to Carlisle Barracks at Jim Thorpe & Claremont roads (right turn) to enter vehicle security point. ID card holders proceed directly to gate guard. Unescorted visitors use left lane to Visitors Center.

Ashburn Gate, CAC & ID-card holders access only

22 Ashburn Drive

Hours of Operation:

• Mon.-Sun., 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Federal holidays: closed

Carlisle Barracks is located approximately 18 miles west of Harrisburg, on US-11 and I-81. Main gate is on Ashburn Drive, 2 miles off exit 16 of I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike).

From Philadelphia

• Take PA Turnpike (points east I76) to exit 16 South on Route 11 toward Carlisle 3 miles
•  Left onto post road
• 1st right onto Claremont Road
• Left into security checkpoints

From Baltimore

• Take route 70 to route North; from Washington DC
• route 270 to route 15 North; Pass Gettysburg, at Dillsburg,
• left turn onto route 74 NW (York Rd) into Carlisle
•  When in Carlisle at Y intersection make left onto 641 for one block
• Right onto Spring Garden Street (at Taco Bell) for two blocks
•  Continue right onto North. St, over RR tracks and through light,
• Turn right at "Carlisle Barracks" sign.onto Jim Thorpe and proceed to gate.

From PA Turnpike

• Take old Exit 16
• After the Toll Booth, bear to your right  -  follow Route 11 (South)
• Turn left at the second stoplight (Sheetz / Turkey Hill) onto Harmony Hill Road
• At the stop sign turn right onto Claremont Road
• The turn left at the security clearance gate located on the left prior to the gate
• Follow the directional signs to enter Carlisle Barracks

From Interstate 81 North

• Take Exit 52 old Exit 17
• Turn right onto Route 11 (South)
• Follow Route 11 to the third red light
• Left onto post road
• 1st right onto Claremont Road
• Left into security checkpoints

No public transportation is provided on the installation.