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U.S. Forest Service · WA

Dog Mountain Trail System

Spring wildflower hike in the Columbia River Gorge requiring a weekend vehicle reservation to park at the trailhead during the balsamroot bloom.

Permit requiredparkingStrenuous6.8 mi2,828 ft gain
Access requirement

How to get a permit

2026 spring weekend vehicle reservationsTimed release

Additional batches release four days prior to each permit date at 7 a.m. PDT (10 a.m. EDT). Initial permits became available March 15, 2026. Trip window: 2026-04-11 → 2026-06-07.

Opens: Mar 15, 2026
Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Season ended
Permit rules
QuotaA vehicle reservation is required to park at the Dog Mountain Trailhead on weekends and Memorial Day during the spring wildflower season to reduce overcrowding.
GroupOne permit reserves one vehicle for one day of use; permits are per vehicle, not per person.
Fees$2.00 non-refundable administrative fee per permit, plus a $5.00 per-vehicle day-use fee (a federal recreation pass may be used in lieu of the day-use fee).
TransferCheck official source for current transfer or cancellation policy.
SafetyOne of the most strenuous hikes in the Gorge with a steep, sustained climb; not suited to young children or unfit adults. A free weekend shuttle from Stevenson is an alternative when permits are gone.
Where to stay

Campgrounds nearby

Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.

WYETH CAMPGROUND

3.1 miles away · OR · 16 sites

6 of 7 nights open

Reservable · Reservations include 1 vehicle or vehicle and trailer combination for individual sites or 2 vehicles or 2 vehicle and trailer combinations for group sites. Extra vehicles are $5/day per vehicle and can be paid on site at the campground fee box.

Aug 2510Aug 268Aug 278Aug 282Aug 29—Aug 3011Aug 3113
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

Moss Creek campground

7.6 miles away · WA · 17 sites

2 of 7 nights open

Reservable · Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 309Aug 318
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

Wahtum Lake Campground

9.4 miles away · OR

Availability not checked

Not reservable online

Availability: Unavailable

EAGLE CREEK CAMPGROUND

11.2 miles away · OR · 17 sites

3 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 282Aug 29—Aug 3014Aug 3115
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site