Lower Aquila Vista picnic shelter
Aquila Vista wetland
Access Gate
vault toilet
Vault toilet

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit

About Aquila Vista Recreation Site

Aquila Vista is closed until further notice to remove wildfire burned danger trees. Aquila Vista is available for overnight group camping for groups up to 30 people and 20 vehicles. The season, when it reopens, will be mid-May through mid-October. 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.

Seasonal information

2026 Season availability

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Past seasons
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Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Missing information?

1, Loop: Camp

⛺ Tent
  • gravel
  • Pet Friendly
  • Campfire

Site Details

Up to 20 guests
40 × 40 ft
Shade
Surface: gravel
Campfire
Pet Friendly
View Site Details

Reviews

1 review

4.0

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Amber P

Verified

September 13, 2026 Stayed at: 1, Loop: Camp

Aquila Vista was a serene, beautiful experience. You get the whole park to yourselves, there's a lot of trails to walk around and explore. I would recommend reserving this spot if you like being by yourself in nature.
However, there were a couple things to note: lots and lots of rats/mice in the area. Do not leave ANY food outside of your vehicle. A bushy tailed wood rat made a nest in the engine bay of my boyfriend's truck within 12 hours of being there, we just kept disturbing it and it finally went away thankfully. One last note, they should put up some signs along the trails where the park intersects other public hiking trails. We did have a couple walk right through our camp, like 5 ft away from our stuff because they came in from another trail. They just walked around for awhile in the park we payed to reserve, because there's nothing indicating that it's a private reservable area until you're in the campground. So just be aware you may not be alone the whole time.
Either way, completely worth it for the cost of reservation! We will come back.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Aquila Vista Recreation Site

Bureau Of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District Attn: Recreation Operations, 1717 Fabry Rd Se, Salem, OR 97306 United States

Elevation: 421 ft

Nearest town

Salem, OR - 42 mi

About over 1 hr (71 min) to downtown

Policies & Rules

General

  • Current fire information for the Northwest Oregon District can be found at BLM Fire Restrictions and Closures under the district specific section.
  • Groups must enter through a locked gate, the combination should be received in the email receipt. The group is responsible for keeping the gate locked at all times.
  • There is no cell phone service. In case of emergency go to an area where you get cell service and dial 9-1-1. There is a payphone on the east side of Glen Avon bridge.
  • Be aware that the main S. Molalla Forest Rd is regularly used for hauling timber and forest products.
  • Please observe posted rules and regulations.
  • The Molalla recreation corridor sits between 800 and 1200 feet in elevation.
  • Be prepared for flying and biting insects. Bring your bug spray.
  • Swimming is not recommended in the pond.
  • Warning: there is an underwater culvert under the roadway between the trail and viewing pier. Do not swim near the culvert.
  • Poison oak is in the area. Leaves of three - let it be.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 22, 2026

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Explore Salem, OR

Salem, Oregon

Population: 178,865

Nearby city: Portland, OR

Approx. 38 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 161 ft

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