Dog Mountain Overview

Springtime wildflower blooms and stunning views make Dog Mountain one of the most popular hiking areas in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Visitors will enjoy panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood towering to the south. The popular Dog Mountain - Augspurger Loop is a strenuous 6.8-mile hike that climbs 2,828 feet. Approximate hiking time is four to six hours. The area provides opportunities for several shorter hikes as well. Visitors may experience crowded conditions along the trail on weekends during the wildflower season.   

A Dog Mountain Trail System Vehicle Reservation is required Saturday, April 26, 2025 through Sunday, June 15, 2025 (weekends only), and Monday, Memorial Day (May 26, 2025). Permit reservations are required per vehicle, for one day of use. The permit is only valid for the date reserved and does not guarantee a parking space at the Dog Mountain Trailhead. Permits will be available online starting March 15, 2025. An additional batch of permits will be released four days prior to each permit date 10 a.m. EDT (7 a.m. PDT). The permit does not guarantee a parking space at the Dog Mountain Trailhead. Permits are not required June 16th, 2025 through April 24, 2026.   

There is a non-refundable reservation fee per permit. If you decide not to use your permit, please cancel your reservation to make space for others. Dog Mountain Trailhead is a recreation fee site and a daily, per-vehicle recreation fee of $5 is charged for use of the trailhead facilities. This is in addition to the vehicle permit fee. Visitors can pay the recreation fee on-site or online at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72635. Annual passes such as the Northwest Forest Pass and other interagency senior, military, and Every Kid Outdoors passes are accepted as alternate forms of payment.   

Seasonal Dog Mountain Trail System Vehicle Reservation Permit Overview 

Overview: The Dog Mountain Trail System is a highly-visited area for wildflower viewing in the spring. A Seasonal Dog Mountain Trail System Vehicle Reservation permit is required on weekends starting Saturday, April 26, 2025 through Sunday, June 15, 2025, including Monday, May 26, 2025 (Memorial Day) to reduce overcrowding and address public safety concerns. The Vehicle Reservation permit covers one day of use per vehicle and includes all passengers. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.  

Two permit/fees are associated with this trailhead and apply during the spring permit window: 

1. Seasonal Dog Mountain Trail System Vehicle Reservation Permit (required only on weekends from April 26, 2025 through June 15, 2025 and Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025), which is available here on this webpage; and, 

2. Year-Round USFS Dog Recreation Fee Site (required year-round for use of site facilities) 

· All visitors arriving by private vehicle are required to pay this fee of $5 year-round unless they have another pass that covers this fee or they arrive on the CAT shuttle (see below). 

Thus, visitors arriving by private vehicle to enjoy the Dog Mountain Trail system on weekends during the above spring dates, must obtain BOTH a Vehicle Reservation permit via this site; and pay the USFS Site Facility Recreation Fee. More information on how to pay the Site Facility Recreation Fee is below. 

FREE Shuttle Option: No Vehicle Reservation Permit is needed if you take the FREE Dog Mountain Shuttle from the Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson, WA on weekends during the spring season (April 26, 2025-June 15, 2025 + Memorial Day, May 26, 2025). The Dog Mountain Shuttle is operated by Columbia Area Transit (CAT). If you plan to access the trailhead via the shuttle service, CAT will provide you with a free daily permit that covers the USFS Site Facility Recreation Fee (saves $5). Shuttle details, including timing, stops, and free parking at the fairgrounds lot can be found here Columbia Area Transit (CAT) 

Seasonal Dog Mountain Trail System Vehicle Reservation Permit Details: 

· The Seasonal Vehicle Reservation permit is only valid for the reserved date (required on weekends from April 26, 2025 through June 15, 2025 + Memorial Day, May 26, 2025). 

· A $2 non-refundable administrative fee is charged per permit. 

· Visitors should carry a printed/electronic permit confirmation at all times. 

· The permit grants access any time on the reserved day. 

· Permits are available online starting March 15, 2025. Additional permits will be released four days prior to each permit date at 7 a.m. PDT. 

· Reserving a permit does not guarantee a parking space. The trailhead accommodates approximately 70 vehicles and they fill up on busy weekends. Park only in designated spaces and allow room for emergency vehicle and transit access. For your safety, please remember that walking along the railroad tracks is both dangerous and illegal. Parking along Washington State Route 14 (SR-14) to access the Dog Mountain Trailhead is discouraged and those parked illegally may be fined and towed. 

· Please cancel reservations if you don’t plan to use them to free up space for others. 

· Reminder: A vehicle reservation permit is not needed if you take the shuttle (see Shuttle Option).  

Year-Round USFS Recreation Fee Site - Recreation Fee Details:

· Dog Mountain Trailhead is a USFS recreation fee site and a daily, per-vehicle Recreation Fee of $5 is required for use of the site facilities year-round. This is in addition to the seasonal Vehicle Reservation Permit (in place April 26, 2025 through June 15, 2025 plus Memorial Day, May 26, 2025 only). 

· Visitors can pay the Recreation Fee on-site with card at the automated fee machine or online at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/72635. 

· Annual passes (the NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Interagency Senior or Military passes, and Every Kid Outdoors passes) are accepted as alternate forms of payment. · · Visitors arriving to the trailhead on the free Dog Mountain Shuttle operated by CAT will be provided with a free daily permit that covers this fee.  

Trail Information: 

· Dog Mountain offers stunning views and is popular during the wildflower season. 

· The popular Dog Mountain-Auspurger Loop is a strenuous 6.8 mile hike that climbs 2,828 feet. Approximate hiking time is four to six hours. The area provides opportunities for several shorter hikes as well. 

· Trails may be challenging to follow; visitors are advised to carry a map and compass. No water is available at the Dog Mountain Trailhead. 

· Visit readysetgorge.com for more information about recreation in the Columbia River Gorge.  

Trailhead Location

· Trailhead coordinates: Lat45.6991667; Long-121.7080556 

· From Stevenson, WA: Travel east on Washington State Route 14 (SR-14) for 10 miles. At milepost 53.7, there is a large sign and parking lot for the Dog Mountain Trailhead, which accesses both Dog Mountain and Augspurger Trails. 

· From Portland, OR: Travel east on Interstate 84 to Cascade Locks Exit 44. Cross the Bridge of the Gods, turn right onto Washington SR-14, and travel 12 miles. At milepost 53.7, there is a large sign and parking lot for the Dog Mountain Trailhead, which accesses both Dog Mountain and Augspurger Trails.