Balsamroot flowers bloom on Mosier Plateau in the Columbia River Gorge. The 3.5-mile hike in downtown Mosier opened to the public in 2013. It's managed by Friends of the Columbia Gorge.

THE DALLES — New permits aimed at tamping down crowding in the Columbia River Gorge begin Tuesday, May 24, joining a growing list of permits and parking passes required at trailheads and parks in the scenic river corridor.

The new timed-entry permits for the Historic Columbia River Highway will be required daily from May 24 to Sept. 5 this year, for all personal vehicles driving the “waterfall corridor” between Bridal Veil and Ainsworth State Park — roughly between exits 28 and 35 off Interstate 84, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The U.S. Forest Service is also bringing back its timed-entry permits for Multnomah Falls, tying them to the same timeline as the historic highway, which passes by Oregon’s tallest waterfall. Permits for both are on sale at Recreation.gov.

Meanwhile, seasonal hiking permits have already begun for Dog Mountain, one of the most popular wildflower hikes in the Columbia Gorge, which are required on weekends from April 23 to June 12, as well as on Memorial Day.

Year-round parking permits will also still be required for most of the trailheads and day-use areas. The U.S. Forest Service, Washington State Parks, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department all charge parking fees in the Columbia Gorge.Wildflower season has been off to a slow start, but permits have already been in effect at Dog Mountain, where they are required for all hikers on weekends between April 23 and June 12, as well as Memorial Day on May 30.

Permits cost $1 and are available online at Recreation.gov. Each permit is good for one person, for a full day of use. Additional permits are released three days in advance, for those making last-minute plans.

Having a permit does not necessarily guarantee a spot in the cramped trailhead parking lot. Drivers must also pay an additional $5 parking fee, or else display a valid Northwest Forest Pass or other interagency public lands pass.

Other parking feesParking fees have long been in place at trailheads and day-use areas in the Columbia River Gorge. Those will all continue to be in effect, regardless of the additional permits now in place.

All Washington State Parks require vehicles to display a valid Discover Pass, which costs $10 for one day or $35 for a year. Passes can be purchased at some trailhead parking lots, online at discoverpass.wa.gov, or at local retailers. Washington State Parks does offer a dozen fee-free days throughout the year, when Discover Passes are not required.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department charges $5 for parking at several state park sites in the Columbia Gorge, including Rooster Rock, Viento, Benson and Mayer state parks. Visitors can also display an annual pass that costs $30 for one year or $50 for two years. Passes are available online at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com or at local retailers.

The U.S. Forest Service also charges to park at most trailheads and day-use areas in the Columbia Gorge. Passes are not always available for purchase on-site, so visitors should purchase either a $5 day pass or $30 annual Northwest Forest Pass in advance, available online at fs.usda.gov or at local retailers. Interagency passes, like the America the Beautiful Pass, are also accepted.