Warning

General

There 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.

Three Bears portal sign
Rocky River Access
Water Pump
River Access #2
Kiosk

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
River Access River Access

Available sites

15 total sites

About Three Bears Campground

No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Three Bears campsites are only available by making a reservation. Reserve a campsite on recreation.gov or Recreation.gov Mobile App prior to entering the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. There is no cell reception in the drainage.  Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 4 mi south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 15 tent 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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
River Access River Access
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

15 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 01, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 02, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 03, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 04, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 05, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 06, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 07, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 08, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 09, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 10, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 11, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 12, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 13, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 14, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 15, Loop: Camp Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (88)

What Guests Are Saying

Three Bears Campground is praised for its beautiful location by the river, spacious and well-maintained sites, and a generally pleasant atmosphere. Many campers appreciate the clear trails and the clean facilities, while some have noted the lack of a camp host and occasional bathroom issues. Overall, it remains a favored destination for families and offers a delightful camping experience despite minor inconveniences.

Review Summary

3.9
88 reviews
5
43.2%
38
4
25.0%
22
3
17.0%
15
2
6.8%
6
1
8.0%
7

Shawna W

Verified

July 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Camp

3

I love the sites they are very hidden and good size spaces. Althiugh it is very dusty so it got very dirty. It would be nice if they had running water instead of a hand pump for water for doing dishes etc. My biggest complaint is for such a busy weekend being the 4th of july week the bathrooms ran out of toilet paper twice and the smell was rancid all the way to my sight. I gagged so bad trying to go to the bathroom i ripped lung tissue and my lunhs were raw and sore for days later.

Shawna W

Verified

July 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Camp

3

I love the sites they are very hidden and good size spaces. Althiugh it is very dusty so it got very dirty. It would be nice if they had running water instead of a hand pump for water for doing dishes etc. My biggest complaint is for such a busy weekend being the 4th of july week the bathrooms ran out of toilet paper twice and the smell was rancid all the way to my sight. I gagged so bad trying to go to the bathroom i ripped lung tissue and my lunhs were raw and sore for days later.

Daniel N

Verified

July 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Camp

5

It’s a good place, specially it being closed to home! But it can get over crowded with people going there for the river. Parking very limited.

Daniel N

Verified

July 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Camp

5

It’s a good place, specially it being closed to home! But it can get over crowded with people going there for the river. Parking very limited.

Stacey R

Verified

July 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Camp

1

When I arrived at site 12 I found human feces, toilet paper, dog feces, cigarette butts, a drink bottle, pistachio shells, bottle caps and pieces of trash all littered about. I cleaned up my site the best I could. Neighboring campers were exceeding 8 guests per site, were screaming, and were throwing fruit rinds and garbage on the ground. The pit toilets were also in need of care.

It’s too bad because without all the garbage and crowds of loud inconsiderate people, it would be a nice spot.

Stacey R

Verified

July 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Camp

1

When I arrived at site 12 I found human feces, toilet paper, dog feces, cigarette butts, a drink bottle, pistachio shells, bottle caps and pieces of trash all littered about. I cleaned up my site the best I could. Neighboring campers were exceeding 8 guests per site, were screaming, and were throwing fruit rinds and garbage on the ground. The pit toilets were also in need of care.

It’s too bad because without all the garbage and crowds of loud inconsiderate people, it would be a nice spot.

sarah t

Verified

July 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Camp

3

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

Verified

July 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Camp

3

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

Verified

July 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: Camp

5

CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL

Donald H

Verified

July 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: Camp

5

CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL

Location & Directions for Three Bears Campground

Bureau Of Land Management, Salem, OR 97306 United States

Elevation: 217 ft

Getting There

<p>The Molalla River is located approximately 10 mi 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 Feyre...

Nearest town

Salem, OR - 37 mi

About over 1 hr (64 min) to downtown

Highway access

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.

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

General

There 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: October 22, 2026

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Explore Salem, OR

Salem

Population: 178,865

Nearby city: Portland, OR

Approx. 34 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 161 ft

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