JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources values the tremendous contributions and sacrifices made by members of the military and their families. To show appreciation to active service members, the department’s Division of Missouri State Parks is joining the nationwide Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that offers free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families. The program kicks off on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, and ends on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.
The Blue Star Museums program is a collaborative effort of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the U.S. Department of War and more than 2,000 museums across the U.S. While admission to all Missouri state parks and historic sites is free, thanks to the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax, some locations may require a fee for museum access or tours. The Blue Star Museums program covers the fee at participating sites for those currently serving in the U.S. military and their families Service members need only show their military ID. For more information about participating locations, visit Blue Star Museums Program webpage. For a nationwide list of participating museums, visit the Blue Star Museums website.
Participating Missouri state parks and historic sites include: Battle of Athens, Battle of Lexington, Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio, Bollinger Mill, Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead, Confederate Memorial, Deutschheim, Felix Vallé House, First Missouri State Capitol, Hunter-Dawson House, Jefferson Landing, Mastodon, Missouri Mines, Missouri State Museum and Harry S Truman Birthplace and the American Indian Cultural Center at Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park.
“Museums help military families stay connected – to each other, to their communities and to the nation they serve,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “As our country approaches 250 years of independence, Blue Star Museums provides service members and their loved ones with meaningful opportunities to explore history and spark curiosity. For military families, who often face frequent moves and time apart, these shared museum experiences offer a sense of stability, belonging and connection. By opening doors nationwide, this program ensures they can engage with the arts and history that reflect their sacrifices and strengthen the bonds that hold them together.”
This free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps) and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
In addition to the Blue Star Museums program, MoDNR’s Division of State Parks also offers a military camping discount. Military members and veterans receive a $2 discount year-round at state parks campgrounds. The military discount will be given to retired, veteran and active-duty military personnel, as well as family members of active-duty military personnel, when showing a military ID. For additional information about the military camping discount and 2026 camping rates, visit the department’s Military Benefits and Services webpage. During the month of July, visitors to Missouri’s state parks and historic sites will have the opportunity to round up their purchases for veteran programs, such as the Hero Deer Hunt and Veterans’ Deer Hunt.
For more information on the Missouri State Park system, visit the Missouri State Parks website. Missouri’s Division of State Parks is part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.