The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area announced that a timed use permit will be required for visitors using the Multnomah Falls parking lot off I-84 daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 23 through September 1.  The Scenic Area says the purpose of the permit system is to help reduce congestion, increase safety and improve overall visitor experience.  Timed Use Permits will be available online at recreation.gov for a $2 transaction fee per vehicle.  Permits will be released two weeks prior to the visit date.  There will also be a limited amount of in-person, same-day permits, with no fee, at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum.  Each permit lists a one-hour time slot in which you can arrive and then stay for as long as you would like that day.  A timed use permit does not guarantee parking.  To visit Multnomah Falls without a permit, take Columbia Area Transit, including service from Cascade Locks, Hood River, and the Gateway Transit Center in Portland, modify the timing of your trip to before or after the permit times and peak visitation, or plan your visit prior to Memorial Day or after Labor Day, when there is less congestion.