Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Environmental Management Division

Important Announcement

Due to new security measures at Fort Knox, beginning 15 January 2009 all vehicles entering the installation that do not have a Department of Defense decal will be required to stop at the Visitor Control Center located at the Chaffee Gate on Bullion Boulevard and register for a temporary vehicle pass. After receiving your temporary vehicle pass, you will then be able to proceed to the Hunt Control Office and after purchasing your installation permit, will be issued an authorization letter that will allow you to receive a long term vehicle pass that will be valid for the length of the activity you are participating in. After receiving the authorization letter, you must then proceed to the Visitor Control Center where the long term vehicle pass will be issued.

Fort Knox is home of the US Army Armor Center and the US Army Recruiting Command. Fort Knox’s mission is to provide high quality, realistic training for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Coast Guard, Reserve Forces.

Fort Knox comprises 109,054 acres, or approximately 170 square miles, in Bullitt, Hardin and Meade counties of Kentucky. There are about 59,000 acres that are potentially available for recreational use when the training mission permits. Access to the installation for hunting and fishing activities is coordinated through the DPW, Hunt Control Office and is strictly controlled and rigidly enforced. This is required to ensure the safety of outdoor recreation and the military units that train on the installation.

The Hunt Control Office is the source for all information, maps, Fort Knox hunting/fishing permits, state hunting and fishing permits/licenses, and access to the installation for the purpose of outdoor recreation. It is located at the corner of Eleventh Avenue and Binter Street.

There is a variety of quality fishing resources available on the installation. This includes rainbow trout fishing in Otter Creek, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill fishing in the eight managed and numerous unmanaged lakes, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, longear sunfish fishing in Mill Creek, Cedar Creek and Otter Creek.

Although primarily forested Fort Knox has a variety of habitats that support hunting for small game species such as squirrels, doves, rabbits, quail, raccoon, grouse, and migratory birds as well as quality deer and wild turkey hunting.

Hunting and fishing on Fort Knox is available to the general public within the constraints of the resources and safety.