Warning
GeneralThere is a large logjam several miles upstream of this campground. The logjam is just downstream from Horse Creek Bridge, and blocks the entire stream. The river is unnavigable between Horse Creek Bridge and Turner Bridge. Use caution near the river, especially in flood stage.
Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
River Access
About Three Bears Campground
Number of accommodations: 15
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
River Access
Water Access
- River Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Reviews (72)
What Guests Are Saying
Three Bears Campground offers a beautiful and well-maintained setting, with spacious campsites near the lovely Mallola River and access to hiking trails. Many guests appreciated the clean facilities and pleasant atmosphere, although some experienced issues with aggressive staff and noise from neighboring campers. Overall, most visitors enjoyed their stay and expressed a desire to return, highlighting the campground's charm and natural beauty despite a few drawbacks.
What Guests Are Saying
Three Bears Campground offers a beautiful and well-maintained setting, with spacious campsites near the lovely Mallola River and access to hiking trails. Many guests appreciated the clean facilities and pleasant atmosphere, although some experienced issues with aggressive staff and noise from neighboring campers. Overall, most visitors enjoyed their stay and expressed a desire to return, highlighting the campground's charm and natural beauty despite a few drawbacks.
Review Summary
sarah t
VerifiedJuly 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Camp
This was our backup site after our original reservation at Iron Creek was canceled due to a fire. This location is close to Portland which is great but that's probably the only reason we would ever go back. First, the logging road that is noted in the review is actively used and is incredibly close to the campsite and very loud. The campsite parallels the road and it's the only straight part of the road so people get their speed up really high. One of the evenings we were trying to sit around the fire, a motorcycle did multiple passes of the road back and forth popping wheelies- very loud and really close to us. We were there over a hot holiday weekend so it felt like locals were flying up and down the road trying to find a spot to pull off to enjoy the river.
Second, the bathrooms were in terrible condition the whole weekend. It didn't feel like anyone was maintaining them since they ran out of toilet paper and were disgusting. I can handle a vault bathroom but this one was unuseable.
This is a good spot if you are willingly to hear cars all day and night. Not the peace and quiet we thought we were going to get.
sarah t
VerifiedJuly 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Camp
This was our backup site after our original reservation at Iron Creek was canceled due to a fire. This location is close to Portland which is great but that's probably the only reason we would ever go back. First, the logging road that is noted in the review is actively used and is incredibly close to the campsite and very loud. The campsite parallels the road and it's the only straight part of the road so people get their speed up really high. One of the evenings we were trying to sit around the fire, a motorcycle did multiple passes of the road back and forth popping wheelies- very loud and really close to us. We were there over a hot holiday weekend so it felt like locals were flying up and down the road trying to find a spot to pull off to enjoy the river.
Second, the bathrooms were in terrible condition the whole weekend. It didn't feel like anyone was maintaining them since they ran out of toilet paper and were disgusting. I can handle a vault bathroom but this one was unuseable.
This is a good spot if you are willingly to hear cars all day and night. Not the peace and quiet we thought we were going to get.
Donald H
VerifiedJuly 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: Camp
CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL
Donald H
VerifiedJuly 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: Camp
CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL
Janice C
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: Camp
Great experience, amazing campground. Spacious, shady, waterfront sites, with comfortable ground for tents. We really enjoy the Molalla River. I really liked the walk-in setup. We had most of the place to ourselves midweek. Contrary to the name, we saw 0 bears.
Some minor notes: our charcoal grill was not useable, it looked like someone had shot it and damaged it so the grill could not be raised. The vault toilets have a weird quirk of locking automatically if the door was closed and you had to remember to prop them open. Propping those open is counter to their ventilation design function. The BLM should probably stick a couple of deadbolts on the doors to counter inattentive guests. It wasn't an issue with us, but we were the only people using the one on our side of the campground. I imagine it's a challenge on the weekends when there are more people present to ignore signs. There is also a logging operation up the road, be advised that log truck drivers start the day early and there is some engine noise from the road.
First time using the QR code/pending transaction feature of rec.gov outside of cell service. My phone couldn't process it as a pending transaction until I put it in airplane mode, but was otherwise smooth. The sign said to take a tag to clip to our site post with our pending transaction info, but the box was empty.
Janice C
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: Camp
Great experience, amazing campground. Spacious, shady, waterfront sites, with comfortable ground for tents. We really enjoy the Molalla River. I really liked the walk-in setup. We had most of the place to ourselves midweek. Contrary to the name, we saw 0 bears.
Some minor notes: our charcoal grill was not useable, it looked like someone had shot it and damaged it so the grill could not be raised. The vault toilets have a weird quirk of locking automatically if the door was closed and you had to remember to prop them open. Propping those open is counter to their ventilation design function. The BLM should probably stick a couple of deadbolts on the doors to counter inattentive guests. It wasn't an issue with us, but we were the only people using the one on our side of the campground. I imagine it's a challenge on the weekends when there are more people present to ignore signs. There is also a logging operation up the road, be advised that log truck drivers start the day early and there is some engine noise from the road.
First time using the QR code/pending transaction feature of rec.gov outside of cell service. My phone couldn't process it as a pending transaction until I put it in airplane mode, but was otherwise smooth. The sign said to take a tag to clip to our site post with our pending transaction info, but the box was empty.
Adam G
VerifiedJune 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: Camp
Excellent location! The river slows down a bit at the campsite and provides a good swimming hole for youth age kids, and a good place for kayakers or body boards carrying children. A number of campsites can hold 2-3 tents no problem, while some may be only big enough for one. Numbers 4 & 6 are very spacious, enough for 3-4 tents of medium to small size. Campfire regulations are governed by the BLM…so call ahead. Each camp has a picnic table and fire ring.
Adam G
VerifiedJune 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: Camp
Excellent location! The river slows down a bit at the campsite and provides a good swimming hole for youth age kids, and a good place for kayakers or body boards carrying children. A number of campsites can hold 2-3 tents no problem, while some may be only big enough for one. Numbers 4 & 6 are very spacious, enough for 3-4 tents of medium to small size. Campfire regulations are governed by the BLM…so call ahead. Each camp has a picnic table and fire ring.
Malia A
VerifiedJune 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Camp
Beautiful campground, will definitely be returning!!! There are paths leading to the river right next to the sites and some pretty hiking trails right across the road. Super cool!! I will definitely return.
Malia A
VerifiedJune 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Camp
Beautiful campground, will definitely be returning!!! There are paths leading to the river right next to the sites and some pretty hiking trails right across the road. Super cool!! I will definitely return.
Location Three Bears Campground
Address:
Bureau Of Land Management
Salem, OR, 97306
United States
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. Continue south on Dickey Prairie Rd, keeping the Dickey Prairie Store on your left. At 3.7 miles past the store, turn right on Molalla Forest Rd and cross Glen Avon Bridge. Continue 3 miles, Three Bears will be on your left.
Three Bears Campground is accessible via OR 211, which connects to the town of Molalla. There are no interstates or major highways within approximately 25 miles.
Latitude & Longitude: 45.0455 / -122.489
Elevation: 217 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Local regulations
- Check the BLM Fire Restrictions for current fire information in the Northwest Oregon District.
- Follow the posted campground rules and regulations.
Vehicles & parking
- Parking is centralized, and you'll need to walk to your campsite from the parking area.
- Motorized vehicles are not allowed beyond the parking area.
Safety & rules
- No cell phone service is available; use a payphone for emergencies if needed.
- Use the provided dumpsters to dispose of your trash.
- Caution: S. Molalla Forest Rd is used for timber hauling; drive carefully.
- The Molalla recreation corridor is at an elevation between 800 and 1200 feet.
- Prepare for insects; bring bug spray.
- Watch out for poison oak; avoid contact with plants with three leaves.
Pets
- Pets are allowed on a leash (max 6 feet); clean up after your pets.
Wildlife & food storage
- Secure your items to prevent wildlife scavenging.
Site types & loops
- Horses are not permitted in the campground.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralThere is a large logjam several miles upstream of this campground. The logjam is just downstream from Horse Creek Bridge, and blocks the entire stream. The river is unnavigable between Horse Creek Bridge and Turner Bridge. Use caution near the river, especially in flood stage.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 3, 2026
