Portland and Gorge residents and visitors may now catch public transportation to the popular Dog Mountain hiking trail near Bingen, Washington—and get their required permit in the process. Options are available from both Portland and Hood River on the Columbia Gorge Express and from the Skamania County fairgrounds on the Dog Mountain Shuttle every 30 minutes. This popular trail requires permits, and car parking is limited. Taking transit will eliminate your need to find parking, and every bus rider will receive a permit. Seats on the shuttle are first-come, first-served and no reservations are required.
Photo by Jeff Hollett
GETTING TO DOG MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD BY BUS
From Portland to Dog Mtn. Trailhead
Catch the Columbia Gorge Express at Gateway Transit Center in Portland and transfer in Cascade Locks to the Dog Mountain Shuttle.
- 8:30am leave PDX; 9:15am transfer in Cascade Locks to Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 09:50am arrive Dog Mtn. Trailhead
- 10am leave PDX; 10:45am arrive Cascade Locks; 12:20pm take Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 12:50pm arrive Dog Mtn. Trailhead
- 12:30pm leave PDX; 1:15pm transfer in Cascade Locks to Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 1:45pm arrive Dog Mtn. Trailhead
Dog Mountain Trailhead to Portland
- 12:50pm leave Dog Mtn. Trailhead on Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 1:15pm transfer in Cascade Locks to Columbia Gorge Express; 2:20pm arrive Gateway Transit Center in Portland.
- 4pm leave Dog Mtn. Trailhead on Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 4:45pm transfer in Cascade Locks to Columbia Gorge Express; 5:25pm arrive Gateway Transit Center in Portland.
From Hood River to Dog Mtn. Trailhead
Catch the Dog Mtn. shuttle in Hood River.
- 8:15am leave CAT Hood River Transit Station; 9:05am arrive Dog Mtn. Trailhead.
- 12:00pm leave CAT Hood River Transit Station; 12:50pm arrive Dog Mtn. Trailhead.
Dog Mountain Trailhead to Hood River
- 12:50pm leave Dog Mtn. Trailhead on Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 1:15pm transfer in Cascade Locks to Columbia Gorge Express; 1:35pm arrive CAT Hood River Transit Station.
- 4pm leave Dog Mtn. Trailhead on Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 4:45pm transfer in Cascade Locks to Columbia Gorge Express; 5:05pm arrive CAT Hood River Transit Station.
- 5pm leave Dog Mtn. Trailhead on Dog Mtn. Shuttle; 6:00pm arrive CAT Hood River Transit Center
PERMITS ARE REQUIRED TO HIKE THE DOG MOUNTAIN TRAIL
It’s important to know that permits are required for all hikers on the Dog Mountain trail. When you ride the Dog Mountain Shuttle you will receive:
a free permit for your hike. (NOTE: Permits for those who drive to the trailhead are limited.)
For more information on the Columbia Gorge Express and buy tickets visit rideCATbus.org
For more information on the Dog Mountain Shuttle visit https://www.skamaniacounty.org/departments-offices/senior-services/dog-mountain-shuttle
For more information about the Dog Mountain Trail visit https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/dog-mountain-trail
Photo by Jeff Hollett