Oregon / Clackamas County / Molalla River Corridor Recreation Area

Aquila Vista Recreation Site

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates mid-May through mid-October annually. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Aquila Vista Recreation Site is a group camping facility located in the heart of the Molalla River Corridor Recreation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The campground accommodates groups of up to 30 people and 20 vehicles, offering a peaceful forest setting adjacent to a large beaver pond. Natural features include hiking opportunities and a small waterfall. The site is equipped with two group picnic shelters containing multiple picnic tables, vault toilets, and metal fire rings for group gatherings. Visitors must come prepared as there is no running water at Aquila Vista; bringing adequate drinking, cooking, and sanitation water is essential. Firewood collection is not permitted on-site, so campers wishing to have fires must bring their own firewood. During summer months, mosquitoes can be prevalent, making insect repellent advisable. The campground serves as an excellent gateway to the Molalla River Trail System, an extensive network of more than 20 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The trail system combines single track trails and old forest roads winding through the forested foothills and slopes of the Molalla River Valley, occasionally providing scenic glimpses of the forests and mountains of the Cascade Range. Trails are marked with directional signs and difficulty levels, catering to various skill levels. The nearby Molalla Wild and Scenic River offers additional recreation opportunities including picnicking, swimming, whitewater boating, and fishing along one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River.

Directions

From Molalla, drive east on Main St/OR 211. Veer right at OR 211/Mathias Road intersection toward Feyrer Park. Past Feyrer Park, cross the Molalla River, turn right, and follow Dickey Prairie Rd south. At 3.7 miles past Dickey Prairie Store, turn right on Molalla Forest Rd and cross Glen Avon Bridge. Continue approximately 7 miles to a yellow gate (combination provided with reservation). Drive another 2 miles up steep gravel road, keeping right to reach Aquila Vista.

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