Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
2,900.00 ft (883.92 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
7.20 mi (11.59 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

When it comes to hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, Dog Mountain is a legendary destination, and rightly so. This Washington hike offers stunning views of the gorge and far beyond. You'll see Washington and Oregon Cascade peaks such as Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens, a healthy variety of forest and alpine meadow flora, and, if you hike in middle May through early June, you’ll be presented with one of the best wildflower displays in the entire Columbia River Gorge.

From the parking lot there are several options for your ascent. The older Dog Mountain Trail leaves from a trailhead on the east end of the parking lot, is steep, and passes through more of the mountain’s iconic wildflower meadows. The newer Dog Mountain Hiking Trail starts at a trailhead in the middle of the parking lot, has a less intense incline, and spends more of its time in the woods. Our recommendation: take the older trail up while you have fresh energy and enjoy the Cascade and Columbia River Gorge views you came for, but then make a loop out of the hike by taking the newer trail on your descent. This will add variety to your experience, and your knees will be sure to thank you. From the beginning, be sure to keep your eye out for poison oak, as it dots the lower elevation portions of the trail. Also, if you're there at the right time of year, be sure to catch the tiny fairyslippers in bloom, one of the magnificent orchid species in Washington and Oregon. At higher elevations you are sure to see the golden fields of arrowleaf balsamroot and arctic lupine.

Note that there is an existing day use fee of $5, and a new permit system is effective for weekend hikers from March 31 through July 1. More information is available here.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Amazing views. Wildflowers in early June.

Cons

Too tough for everyone in family. Big crowds. Poison oak.

Trailhead Elevation

200.00 ft (60.96 m)

Features

Big vistas
Wildflowers

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

05/20/2018
The most breathtaking wildflowers view ever. Planned for the wildflower season which is from late May to early June and rode a shuttle to the trailhead. There are 2 trails, one is difficult and the other is more difficult. They are ended up to one trail at the top of the mountain, so you can get to the main wildflowers field anyway. More difficult one has no view until the two trails get back together and really steep no kidding. Difficult one sometimes has view of wildflowers and the river. Both trails are steep and not short, so prepare some pretty nice shoes for your knees.
05/20/2018
Go in the spring! The flowers are amazing!
04/30/2018
Such a Beautiful Loop Trail in the Columbia Gorge that gives you a nice little workout and stunning views!!!
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