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Military Road Trip

Hotels Near Fort Jackson: On-Base Lodging, Off-Base Picks, and TLE for PCS Families

The Gervais Street Bridge in Columbia, SC near Ft Jackson, where families visiting or attending graduation on base often stay.

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Fort Jackson is the Army’s largest initial entry training installation, located in Columbia, South Carolina. Whether you’re here for a graduation weekend, PCSing in or out, or passing through on a road trip, here’s what you need to know about lodging near the base.

Jump to: Hotel Picks · Vacation Rentals · On-Base Lodging · PCSing? See Your TLE Entitlements · Pet-Friendly Hotels Nearby

Our Top Lodging Picks Near Fort Jackson

Most hotels near Fort Jackson cluster along Garners Ferry Road and the Two Notch Road corridor — both within 10-15 minutes of the main gate. Quality varies significantly in this market, so we’ve filtered out the ones with consistent cleanliness and safety complaints.

Whole-House Rentals Near Fort Jackson

Columbia has solid vacation rental inventory, whether you’re in town for graduation or a PCS family using TLE. A whole house gives you kitchen access, laundry, and space that a hotel room doesn’t.

If you’re PCSing, VRBO bookings are reimbursable under TLE as long as the nightly rate is at or under the lodging cap. Luckily, weekly rates in the Columbia area regularly come in at or under the TLE lodging allowance. Keep your booking confirmation and get an itemized payment receipt to file with your voucher.

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On-Base Lodging at Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson’s on-base lodging is Dozier Hall, operated through IHG Army Hotels. Check here first for convenience — if it’s unavailable, get a non-availability confirmation number before booking off base for official travel.

  • Phone: +1-803-782-9802
  • Address: 10300 Tank Hill Parkway, Columbia, SC 29207
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM · Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
  • Reservations: Book through IHG Army Hotels directly

Ft. Jackson Location Factors You Should Consider

Graduation weekends fill fast. Fort Jackson graduates more soldiers than any other installation — and graduation weekends pack every hotel in the Garners Ferry corridor. If you’re coming for a graduation, book as early as possible. Hotels within 10 minutes of the main gate sell out weeks in advance.

The Garners Ferry corridor is your best bet. Hotels on Garners Ferry Road are closest to the main gate and the most convenient for daily visits during family days and graduation week. Two Notch Road is a secondary option with more inventory, about 15-20 minutes from the main gate.

Columbia is a real city. Unlike some installation towns, Columbia has solid restaurants, shopping, and things to do. The Congaree National Park is about 20 minutes south — worth the drive if you have an afternoon free during a long graduation week stay.

PCSing to Fort Jackson? Here Are Your TLE Entitlements

TLE Quick Facts — Fort Jackson

Authorized TLE days: Up to 21 days CONUS (JTR Table 5-13)

Daily TLE cap: Up to $290/day

Standard PCS lodging cap: $110/night

Pet reimbursement: Up to $550 CONUS (JTR 050107)

Table 5-13. Authorized TLE Locations and Time Limits

TLE authorized for 7 days when moving to a PDS OCONUS from a prior PDS in the CONUS, or reporting to the first PDS OCONUS from a home of record or initial technical school.

TLE authorized for 21 days when reporting to a PDS in the CONUS, or reporting to the first PDS CONUS from a home of record or initial technical school. Days may be split between the old and new PDS locations at the Service member’s discretion.

A Service member and dependent may be reimbursed up to a maximum of $290 per day. TLE is calculated based on the locality per diem rates, the number of dependents and their ages, and the actual lodging expenses.

The amount you receive depends on your household size and the locality per diem rates at your installation. The overall TLE daily cap is $290, covering both lodging and M&IE combined. Keep in mind lodging taxes are reimbursable separately and do not count against you.

Pet-Friendly Lodging Near Fort Jackson

La Quinta on Garners Ferry Rd is your best pet-friendly option — no breed restrictions and recently renovated, but call ahead to confirm current pet fee policies before booking. If you’re PCSing, pet hotel fees are reimbursable under JTR paragraph 050107 — up to $550 CONUS total per PCS. Just remember to keep itemized receipts showing pet fees as a separate line item.

050107. Pet Expenses Due to a PCS

A. Authority Effective January 1, 2024.

1. Eligibility. A Service member or Service member’s dependent on a PCS order with an effective date of January 1, 2024 or later may be authorized reimbursement for the costs related to the relocation of one household pet that arises from a permanent change of station. A household pet is a cat or a dog, owned for personal companionship.

2. CONUS. A Service member or Service member’s dependent may be authorized the reasonable and substantiated cost of mandatory microchipping, boarding fees, hotel service charges, licensing fees at the new PDS, and pet shipping fees if the member flies rather than drives, or the pet is shipped separately from the member. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all expenses is limited to $550 per PCS move.

3. OCONUS. Reimbursement for the actual cost of all necessary expenses is limited to $2,000 per PCS move.

Know Your PCS Entitlements Before You Book

There are two different lodging entitlements on a PCS move:

  • If you’re staying near Fort Jackson on the drive between duty stations, your lodging is capped at the standard CONUS rate — currently $110/night.
  • If you’re moving to or from Fort Jackson and using TLE, your lodging is based on your family size and the local per diem, up to $290/day total.

For the full picture of what you’re authorized — MALT, per diem, TLE, DLA, pet reimbursements, and more — see our complete PCS entitlements guide. Or plug your move into our free PCS planner to calculate travel days, per diem, and mileage in one shot.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lodging at Fort Jackson

Dozier Hall, operated through IHG Army Hotels. Call +1-803-782-9802 or email AMERFtJacksonDVQReservations@ihg.com to book. During graduation periods, book as early as possible.

Garners Ferry Road is closest to the main gate — SpringHill Suites, Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta, and several other options are all within a mile of each other on this corridor. Two Notch Road is a secondary option about 15-20 minutes out with more inventory if Garners Ferry fills up.

Up to 21 days for a CONUS PCS per JTR Table 5-13, split between your losing and gaining installations.

Yes. Vacation rentals are reimbursable under TLE as long as the nightly rate is at or under the lodging cap. Attempt on-base lodging first, get a non-availability confirmation number if it’s unavailable, then book. Keep your booking confirmation and get an itemized payment receipt.

Yes — up to $550 CONUS total per PCS under JTR paragraph 050107. Keep itemized receipts showing pet fees as a separate line item.

The Garners Ferry Road corridor is closest to the main gate and fills first — SpringHill Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and La Quinta are all within a mile of each other on this stretch.

Fort Jackson graduates soldiers year-round, so there’s no single peak season, but graduation weekends pack the corridor weeks in advance. Book as soon as you have the graduation date.

If Garners Ferry is sold out, check Two Notch Road about 15-20 minutes out, or consider a vacation rental in the Columbia area for more space and flexibility.

Graduation weekends are the biggest driver — Fort Jackson graduates soldiers year-round and graduation periods pack the Garners Ferry corridor weeks in advance. If you’re coming for a graduation, book as soon as you have the date. PCS season (May through August) adds additional demand from families moving in and out.

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