Buy your $10 lifetime National Park Senior Pass before it's too late

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. I happened to visit a National Park shortly after I turned 62,

and promptly bought the pass. Best $10 I've ever spent.

A couple of years ago I was visiting Montezuma's Castle, a National Park in Arizona. At the entrance where people would be paying, the Rangers were carefully questioning visitors to guide them to the most cost-efficient payment, asking things like would they be going to another National Park within a few days, since apparently there was some sort of three or five day pass. I'd actually forgotten I had the senior pass until the nice ranger, taking note of my gray hair, asked me if I had one. I was very impressed. They were being very sensitive to the fact that most people are on a budget.

Also, unless they decide to change the rules, each Senior Pass allows up to three other visitors travelling with the pass holder in for free. (Once a ranger let my mom and her four adult children into a site with no charge, so they can be flexible about the number of additional visitors.) I'd forgotten about that little perk until I was going to a park with my son, and he got in free with me. I believe different parks may have different rules about this benefit.

So if you are within reasonable driving distance of a park, go. If not, the extra fee is still worthwhile.