Fort Sill basic training graduation graduation: family guide to Lawton (Fort Sill)

Every Friday, all yearLawton (Fort Sill), United States

Every week, families fly to Lawton (Fort Sill) for Fort Sill basic training graduation, often with two days and no plan. This guide covers base access basics, where to stay, what to do after the ceremony and the area if your recruit has to stay close.

Tours in Lawton (Fort Sill)Hotels

Know before you go

Family Day is usually the day before graduation.
Bring a REAL ID-compliant photo ID and check the base visitor rules: everyone in the car is screened.
Hotels near the base fill on graduation weeks. Book as soon as your recruit's graduation date is confirmed.

Airport to Fort Sill

Lawton (LAW) has few flights; Oklahoma City (OKC) is 1.5 hours.

Main gate on Sheridan Road; check visitor rules online.

Public transport directions to Fort Sill

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Lawton chains	Near the gate.
Mid-range	Medicine Park cabins	Cobblestone resort village.
Splurge	Oklahoma City hotels	A night in the city before flying home.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Lawton
Mid-range: Hilton Garden Inn Lawton-Fort Sill
Splurge: Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family Day (the day before graduation)

Thursday

Most branches hold a family event the day before: a short ceremony, then time with your recruit on base. Check your unit's schedule.

FreeFort Sill museums (check access).
EatLawton steakhouses Local spots

Graduation day

Friday

The ceremony is in the morning. Many graduates leave the base with family right after.

Easy outingMuseum of the Great Plains Half day · Indoor · Family
Lawton history.
EatMeers Store Longhorn burgers

The day after

Saturday

If your graduate has leave, take a full day out. If not, see the area on your own.

Half-dayMedicine Park village Half day · Family
Swimming creek and cobblestone shops.
Family pickWichita Mountains wildlife drive Half day · Family
Bison and Mount Scott.

Arriving early

Flights and hotels near bases fill up. Arriving a day early gives you a free day.

Free ideaMount Scott summit drive.
Rain or heat backupComanche National Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Medicine Park village

Swimming creek and cobblestone shops.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor · Family

Museum of the Great Plains

Lawton history.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Wichita Mountains wildlife drive

Bison and Mount Scott.

See times and prices

Medicine Park Aquarium.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

Medicine Park.

3 tours worth booking for Fort Sill

Tour	Length	Good for
Medicine Park village	Half day	Families
Museum of the Great Plains	Half day	Bad weather, Families
Wichita Mountains wildlife drive	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Meers Store Longhorn burgers
Lawton steakhouses Local spots

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Family

Museum of the Great Plains

Lawton history.

See times and prices

Comanche National Museum.

Getting around on event days

You need a car.

Day trips from Lawton (Fort Sill)

Medicine Park: 20 minutes
Oklahoma City: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Fort Sill.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Fort Sill basic training graduation?

Fort Sill basic training graduation takes place every friday throughout the year.

How do I get from the airport to Fort Sill?

Lawton (LAW) has few flights; Oklahoma City (OKC) is 1.5 hours. Main gate on Sheridan Road; check visitor rules online.

Where should I stay for Fort Sill basic training graduation?

For most visitors the best base is Medicine Park cabins: Cobblestone resort village.

What else can we do around Fort Sill basic training graduation?

Good short outings in Lawton (Fort Sill) include Wichita Mountains wildlife drive, Medicine Park village, Museum of the Great Plains. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Fort Sill basic training graduation?

Family-friendly picks: Wichita Mountains wildlife drive, Medicine Park village, Museum of the Great Plains. Medicine Park Aquarium.

How far is Fort Sill from Lawton (Fort Sill) centre?

About 5 km in a straight line. Main gate on Sheridan Road; check visitor rules online.

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Everything we cover in Lawton (Fort Sill)