Mission
U.S. Army Garrison Carlisle Barracks provides integrated base support to the U.S. Army War College and surrounding military communities to enhance readiness.
History
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 ordinance 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 now supports 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.
Population
Carlisle's population, based on 2022 Census estimate is 22,203. The Harrisburg-Carlisle metro statistical area has a population of 606,055.
As of March 2025, Carlisle Barracks serves 744 full-time military as well as 1,172 full-time civilians, (to include DA, PCS Students Civilians, Contractors and Others). On average 91 TDY full -time military and 4 TDY Student civilians. Total Post Population of 2011.
Location
Carlisle Barracks is located in Cumberland County in South Central Pennsylvania, near the state capital of 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. Carlisle Barracks sits in the Cumberland Valley with the Appalachian mountains to the south and the Blue Ridge mountains to the north.
Directions
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.
Carlisle Barracks is located approximately 18 miles west of Harrisburg, on US-11 and I-81. The main gate is the Claremont Gate, located at 875 Jim Thorpe Rd.
Map your route to 875 Jim Thorpe Road, Carlisle, PA 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 '875 Jim Thorpe Road' ... and then follow signage on post to your destination.
From Harrisburg International Airport or via PA Turnpike (I-76)
- 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 I-81
- 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 I-495 Beltway west, take I-270 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 .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.
ALTERNATE ROUTE
- I-66 West, to I-81 North towards Winchester. Follow I81 approximately 1.5 hours. Exit at the Carlisle, Hanover Street exit, turn left off ramp. Follow Hanover Street and turn right on E. North Street, follow road appx. 1.5 miles, cross AGWAY and Railroad Tracks, the post will be on the left side. Take the first right on Jim Thorpe Drive, follow around to the right to the Security Check point, ID card holders proceed directly, visitors will use the left lane to proceed to the Visitors Center for a pass. This route is a little longer than Hwy 15, but is more direct and all highway.
Base Transportation
No public transportation is provided on the installation.
