The nearby riverside town of West Point was occupied by the Union Army's 9th Michigan regiment during the Civil War, some of whom are buried at The U.S. Fort Duffield Memorial Cemetery. Fort Duffield also features original earthen walls, clearly visible from the forest trail.
Camp Knox was officially established near West Point at Stithton during World War I, intended as an artillery range. The site was named in honor of General Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery during the Revolutionary War and the first Secretary of War. It was officially rechristened Fort Knox in 1932.
During the Great Depression, Fort Knox trained members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA). With the advent of World War II, thousands more soldiers came to Fort Knox to train in tanks with the Mechanized Cavalry Regiment and Armored Force School. A POW camp was also stationed at Fort Knox between 1944 and 1946. By the late 1960s, thanks to the Cold War, over one million trainees had come through Fort Knox Training Center.
Though the Armored Force School has since relocated, Fort Knox remains an active military installation. Civilians are welcome to enter the base so long as all people 16 years of age or older supply a government-issued ID at the Chaffee Gate.
You can learn all about this fascinating local history at The General George Patton Museum of Leadership in Fort Knox. The tanks, helicopters, antique vehicles, and weaponry on display from ancient to modern conflicts exhibited alongside some of General Paton's possessions, testify to the storied history of Fort Knox.
Whether you're stationed at the base, visiting loved ones, or just enjoy exploring historical sites and natural beauty of the surrounding area, you'll fall in love with western Kentucky when you visit Fort Knox.
When is the best time to visit Fort Knox, KY?
Fort Knox, as part of Western Kentucky, experiences four distinct seasons, from cold winters to sunny (and sometimes rainy) springs, hot summers, and gorgeous, crisp autumns. Summer highs average in the high 80s to the low 90s, while winters dip to the low 40s.
Though Western Kentucky does not receive as much precipitation as northern states, the area is subject to occasional winter blizzards that can make driving or flying difficult. If you're there in December, bring the kids to the Bowling with Santa event at the Houston Bowling Center.
The Kentucky bluegrass and flowers make spring a beautiful time to visit. However, you should plan your trip to Fort Know well in advance if you will visit in early May. The Kentucky Derby brings in the biggest influx of visitors of any time of year, and hotels book fast within an hour's drive of Louisville, which may impact Fort Knox visitors.
If you visit in the summer, you may wish to visit Fort Knox Water Park to beat the humid Kentucky heat with a splash in the pool, complete with two water slides. As a military base, it's no surprise that the Fort hosts community events for both Memorial Day and Independence Day. If you plan to visit for those holidays, be sure to book your hotel early to secure a reservation.
Hiking the local nature preserves in the fall is certainly a visual treat, as the hillsides are covered with a blaze of autumn foliage. The Fort Knox 5K Zombie Run takes place in late October, just before Halloween. If you dare, you can also sign up for a paranormal tour in the fall at Louisville's abandoned Waverly Hill Sanatorium, which is often cited as one of the world's most haunted places.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Fort Knox, KY:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs displaying average price patterns by star rating class in Fort Knox, KY. Analyze these charts to evaluate the best time to make a reservation in Fort Knox for any future trips.
What are the top hotels near Fort Knox, KY, for luxury lovers?
Having recently undergone a sleek and stylish renovation, the Holiday Inn Express Radcliff-Fort Knox in Radcliff is certainly one of the most luxurious hotels in the area. Each guest room features a fridge and flat-screen television, and guests enjoy extras like complimentary newspapers, complimentary toiletries, free wireless internet, and a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning. All guests also gain access to the indoor pool, 24-hour business center, and 24-hour fitness center.
Travelers who are accustomed to luxurious amenities will find the Hilton Garden Inn Elizabethtown KY to their liking. This hotel boasts an on-site bar and lounge, buffet breakfast (for a modest surcharge), room service during select hours, and an indoor pool.
What are the low cost hotels near Fort Knox, KY?
3 Star Average Prices: $98.82
Budget travelers will find low-cost accommodations at Days Inn by Wyndham Elizabethtown and Econo Lodge Fort Knox in Radcliff. Both hotels offer free breakfast and an outdoor pool, and each is also pet-friendly. Days Inn by Wyndham Elizabethtown offers minibars, and guests also rave about the location, comfortable bed, and television quality. Guests at the Econo Lodge also frequently remark on the hotel's cleanliness, maintenance, and amenities, which include a mini fridge and free high-speed internet.
For even lower rates, head to Super 8 by Wyndham Elizabethtown. From the free breakfast to the indoor pool and pet-friendly policy, this highway hotel offers double the amenities you'd expect at this price point, not to mention the extremely friendly staff and clean, tidy rooms.
2 Star Average Prices: $84.30
What are the best discount hotels near Fort Knox, KY?
Military and government service workers will find excellent discounted hotel rates at the Candlewood Suites Radcliff-Fort Knox. The rooms at this aparthotel feel like a home away from home thanks to their kitchenettes, which are stocked with full-size fridges, freezers, and stovetops, or you can fire up the on-site barbecue grills outside for a cookout. You can relax and enjoy the free wireless internet, watch satellite programming, and pick up a free daily newspaper, too. Be sure to take advantage of the 24-hour fitness center.
Seniors and AAA members will find excellent reduced rates at Quality Inn & Suites in Brandenburg, located about 8 miles from Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area. Guests here enjoy access to an indoor pool, spa tub, and picnic area, and receive complimentary wireless internet access and free continental breakfast.
What are the best value hotels in Fort Knox, KY?
Convenient and cozy, the Hampton Inn & Suites Radcliff-Fort Knox puts you within a short drive of Towne Mall and Saunders Springs Nature Preserve. It is also located close to Heartland Golf Club. Each guest room features a fridge, microwave, and coffee and tea maker so you can dine or snack with ease in your room. Guests also enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet. Wireless internet access is also complimentary.
What things are there to do in Fort Knox and West Point, KY?
Most people know of Fort Knox, Kentucky, as the military base whose vaults contain the country's gold bullion stockpiles, and presently The United States Bullion Depository (established in 1936) holds 147.3 million ounces of gold. The vaults are not open to visitors, but there are other notable sites in the area worth a visit along the Ohio Riverfront and surrounding hill country.
If you're hungry, head to West Point to find a local diner serving up classic Southern-style lunch specials like biscuits and gravy, beans and cornbread, an open-faced roast beef sandwich, and chess pie. After lunch, walk down to the riverfront park to check out the playground, gazebo, and Ohio River views where steamboats like the famed “Belle of Louisville” used to stop. Hikers can then set off for Fort Duffield nearby, or check out the trails at Tioga Falls, Bridges to the Past, or The Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area.
Head to Tioga Falls to hike a moderate 1.9-mile loop trail that offers the best of history and natural beauty. Along the way, you will pass active train tracks and two train trestles, followed by a series of old stone steps that lead to an original spring house that once serviced 19th-century carriages. After a mile of walking, you will encounter the impressive Tioga Falls, which measure about 130 feet high.
The Bridges to the Past trail also branches off from the Tioga Falls hiking trail, and this reclaimed paved trail was once part of the old Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Turnpike. The land is sometimes used for hunting and military exercises at times, so be sure to check for posted no hiking dates before setting out. The peaceful and secluded trail is dotted with numerous historic sites, including an abandoned quarry, a ruined mill, a cave, and three limestone arch buildings that are over 150 years old.
Drive over to Muldraugh Hill to explore over 2,600 pristine acres of wilderness and trails at Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area, which also boasts a nature center, mountain biking paths, disc golf course, creek fishing, archery range, trails, horseback riding, and limestone caves.
For a fun night out, head to the Ohio Valley Dragway on Dixie Highway or go and taste some locally made Kentucky bourbon at Boundary Oak Distillery in Radcliff, run by a master distiller and his son. If you prefer to stay on the Fort Knox post, Samuel Adams Brewhouse offers wings, cheese curds, fried pickles, and draft brews to last you through an afternoon of college basketball.
Come for the military history, to hike, or to play. Whatever brings you to Fort Knox, the local charm and natural beauty of Western Kentucky are sure to surprise and delight.
FAQs about hotels in Fort Knox