BLM · Molalla · Salem, OR

Aquila Vista Recreation Site

Aquila Vista is available for overnight group camping for groups up to 20 people and 8 vehicles. The opening date for 2026 is June 26. The site is located in the heart of the forest next to a significant spring fed wetland, with excellent birding opportunities. 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.

More like this: reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Aquila Vista wetlandVault toiletKioskUpper picnic shelter
Photos courtesy of BLM · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Group sites1
This site is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteSurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
1GravelPartialNo / –20 / 8YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.

Campground map of Aquila Vista Recreation Site
Campground map published by Bureau of Land Management on Recreation.gov, credited to BLM. Open the image for full size.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length12 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesStandard fees apply and are non-refundable. No discounts apply to any group site.

Amenities include vault restrooms, two group picnic shelters with multiple picnic tables, and metal fire rings. 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.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Aquila Vista Recreation Site30°40°50°60°70°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 38.7°F averageFebruary: 39.5°F averageMarch: 41.6°F averageApril: 45.0°F averageMay: 50.9°F averageJune: 55.5°F averageJuly: 62.4°F averageAugust: 62.9°F averageSeptember: 59.3°F averageOctober: 48.9°F averageNovember: 41.9°F averageDecember: 37.5°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Scotts Mills 9 SE, 3 miles from the campground at 2,315 feet, station USC00357631 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

The Molalla River is located approximately 10 miles southeast of Molalla in Clackamas County. From the town of Molalla, drive east on Main St/OR 211. Veer right at the OR 211/Mathias Road intersection, follow signs for Feyrer Park. Once past Feyrer Park, cross over the Molalla River, turn right, and follow signs for Dickey Prairie Rd.

Nearest townSalem, Oregon
Coordinates44.9845° N, 122.4935° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Trash service is not provided.

Charges and cancellations

Standard fees apply and are non-refundable.

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Podunk Admin Rx - West

    18 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Timber Lake/Ripplebrook Admin Rx - West

    22 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Fawn Stew Piles Rx - West

    22 mi from the campground

  • Wildfire
    The Narrows

    23 mi from the campground · 305 acres · 98% contained

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearTimber Town Resale ↗16.2 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗22.8 mi
RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗23 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Table Rock Wilderness begins about 5.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The site is located in the heart of the forest next to a significant wetland. There is plenty of hiking and natural beauty to be seen at Aquila Vista including a small waterfall.

Recreation

The Molalla River Trail System is an extensive network of more than 20 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The trail system can be accessed from Aquila Vista. 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. Additional 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 can also access the trail system via Amanda’s, Americorp, and Sandquist ’s Trailheads.

Guidebooks for Molalla and Oregon

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Road Trip Explore! Oregon--Molalla River Corridor and Table Rock Wilderness
    Cat McMahon, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Oregon camping
    Tom Stienstra, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Oregon's Ancient Forests
    Chandra LeGue, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

Sites at Aquila Vista Recreation Site are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. No discounts apply to any group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Aquila Vista Recreation Site have?

1 site, including 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

The longest site here provides 12 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

Yes, pets are allowed at Aquila Vista Recreation Site. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.

Source: Fire nearby

What is there to do at Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

The Molalla River Trail System is an extensive network of more than 20 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Aquila Vista Recreation Site?

Salem, Oregon. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing.

Source: Getting there

What if Aquila Vista Recreation Site is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Cedar Grove Campground (3.4 mi), Three Bears Campground (4.2 mi), and Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site (13 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby