Want to hike Dog Mountain this spring? You'll need a permit for that.

From March 31 to July 1, all weekend hikers will be required to purchase a $1 to $2 permit, in addition to the existing day-use fee of $5 per vehicle, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area announced Tuesday.

The new permit is an attempt to thin out crowds that have overwhelmed the enormously popular trail on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, and to encourage hikers to take the shuttle bus from the Skamania County Fairgrounds in nearby Stevenson.

Hiking permits will be given out to all shuttle riders, free with the $1 one-way or $2 round-trip ticket to ride the bus to the Dog Mountain trailhead. Hikers will also be able purchase a $1.50 permit online at recreation.gov, which will make 165 available each day - though, buying a permit online doesn't ensure a parking space in the small lot at the trailhead.

Officials will check for permits at the trailhead, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Hikers can carry a print-out of the permit or show an electronic copy. Permits will not be required on weekdays.

The permits are the third effort in as many years to thin the crowds at Dog Mountain. In 2016, the Forest Service reconfigured the trailhead parking area, cutting available parking spaces by more than half. That same year, Skamania County debuted the Dog Mountain route on the Gorge West End Transit bus, which runs Saturdays and Sundays during the spring.

Crowds tend to flock to Dog Mountain every spring - a place known for its meadows of wildflowers, views of the Columbia River Gorge, and strenuous hiking trails. Since several popular trails on the Oregon side of the gorge are still closed due to damage from the Eagle Creek fire, there's good reason to believe that Washington hikes like Dog Mountain could see even more traffic this season.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB