Molalla

Overview

Day use is OPEN up to the Table Rock Wilderness trailhead and 150 feet on either side of the Molalla River Road. All other areas remain CLOSED until further notice due to damage from September 2020 wildfires.   Camping is Open!  Please reserve your campsite for Three Bears and Cedar Grove online at www.recreation.gov. You can also pay nightly for any site that is not reserved using the electronic payment option with the Recreation.gov Mobile App that you must download before you reach the site.   : Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla River, which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla River is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor. The Molalla River Trail System is an extensive network of more than 20 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The system combines both single-track trails and old forest roads. The trails wind through the forested foothills and slopes of the Molalla River Valley, occasionally offering scenic glimpses of the forests and mountains of the Cascade Range. The system offers a variety of difficulty levels for a wide range of mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding enthusiasts. Trails are generally marked with directional signs and levels of difficulty. The best equestrian access to the trail system is from Hardy Creek or Annie’s Cabin Trailheads where there is ample parking for horse trailers. Mountain bikers and hikers may prefer to access the trail system via Amanda’s, AmeriCorps, and Sandquist ’s Trailheads. Three Bears Recreation Site is available for walk-in tent camping using www.recreation.gov for reservations. Sites 10-15 are first come-first serve sites only with payment collected via the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Situated on a scenic stretch of the Molalla River 4 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 15 campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and access to a beautiful cobble beach and swimming hole. Cedar Grove Recreation Site is available for walk-in tent camping using www.recreation.gov for reservations. Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 6 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 11 tent campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and river access. Aquila Vista Recreation Site is available for overnight group camping for up to 30 people. The site is closed in 2022 due to hazard trees. The site is located in the heart of the forest next to a large beaver pond. There is plenty of hiking and natural beauty to see at Aquila Vista including a small waterfall. Amenities include vault toilet, two group picnic shelters with multiple picnic tables and a metal fire ring. There is no running water at Aquila Vista; ensure that you bring plenty of drinking, cooking and sanitation water. There is no firewood at the site or firewood collection allowed, please bring your own firewood if you wish to have a fire. The campsite can have mosquitoes in the summer; bring bug repellent.   Know Before You Go:     Camping is limited to the Three Bears and Cedar Grove Campgrounds along the Molalla River. Make a reservation at the above link. Fees are $15-30 per night plus applicable fees. Only campsites 10-15 in Three Bears are available on a first-come, first-serve basis with payment being collected via the Recreation.gov Mobile App Fires are limited to the steel fire rings or BBQ grills provided. No firewood collection is allowed at the developed campgrounds. Pack-it in, pack-it out. There is no cell phone service. Caution: Watch out for log trucks that frequently use the road.   Point of Interest: Molalla Recreation Area is the gateway to Table Rock Wilderness. Explore Oregon Recreation: Molalla River Corridor