Military Benefits and Services

Military members and veterans receive a $2 per night camping discount year-round at Missouri State Parks campgrounds. The military discount is available to retired, veteran and active-duty military personnel, as well as family members of active-duty military personnel – all of whom must show the proper valid military identification at time of check-in. Forms of identification include: CAC card, DD Form 1173, Form 214 or any of the examples shown here.

Please note that nightly camping rates vary by campground and season. Visit our Camping Rates page for rate listings and more information.

Missouri State Parks seeks employees who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting public resources, and our veterans have demonstrated their commitment while also developing valuable skills that we need.

In accordance with state law, if you are a veteran, a family member of a veteran or a survivor of a veteran, you are given preference in the employment selection process when you are similarly qualified to other applicants for the same position. If you are a veteran, we encourage you to ensure that your military experience is included in every application you submit for employment at Missouri State Parks.

Visit our Veteran Recruitment page for more information.

The Blue Star Museums program is a collaborative effort of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across the country. During the Blue Star program, current military members and their families receive free admission to museums and historic sites. The program begins on Armed Forces Day in mid-May and continues through Labor Day in early September.

Visit the Blue Star Museums Program page for more information and a list of participating facilities.

Each year, Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation cohost Veterans Free Fishing Day at Roaring River State Park. Anyone with a veteran’s status can fish inside the park for free that day. Veterans can pick up their free permits at the park store on the day of the event. Veterans are invited to catch their limit of four fish and then clean and fillet them at the cleaning station.

Mark Twain State Park partners with the Missouri Veterans Commission to provide veterans an all-inclusive managed deer hunt. Included in the hunt are lodging, meals, hunting permits and a hunting guide. Meat processing is covered for any veteran who harvests a deer.

Please visit the Hero Hunt webpage for more information about the hunt and the application process.

Crowder State Park partners with the Missouri Veterans Commission to provide veterans an all-inclusive managed deer hunt. Included in the hunt are lodging, meals, hunting permits and a hunting guide. Meat processing is covered for any veteran who harvests a deer.

Please visit the General Crowder Hunt webpage for more information about the hunt and the application process.

Roaring River State Park hosts Charlie 22 Outdoors’ annual Operation Roaring River program to provide activities for veterans. The mission of Charlie 22 Outdoors is “to provide outdoor activities to our nation’s veterans, and their families, with the goal of showing them there is hope, love and a personal meaning in God’s grace.” Activities offered at Operation Roaring River include fly fishing, arts and crafts, nature hikes, bluegrass music, and more.

For more information, visit charlie22outdoors.com.

Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area, or LORA, is located within Lake of the Ozarks State Park and provides camping, boating, swimming, fishing and many other outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. LORA welcomes active-duty military, retired military, members of the National Guard and Reserves, DoD employees with ID cards, family members, and Fort Leonard Wood contract employees.

Visit the Lake of the Ozarks State Park page for more information about the state park.

With more than 700,000 service members and Veterans and their families in the state of Missouri, Missouri State Parks wants to help provide information on resources and opportunities to all military-connected Missourians.

This pdf provides links to the Missouri Veterans Commission Benefits and Resources Portal, the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and information for individuals in crisis.