Molalla: History, River and Recreation

Molalla offers a range of starting points for planning a trip: historic homes and exhibits, the nearby Molalla River, and recreational activities with a variety of focuses. If you’re looking for a hotel in Molalla, you can first consider whether history, activities on the water, or a particular recreational interest will shape your trip. The topics range from a house dating to the 19th century to past events and a park with a specified track layout.

Homes and Historical Connections

The Dibble House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 19, 1974. A different historical date is in focus at the Vonder Ahe House: it was built in 1869 and once served as a stopover or inn on the stagecoach route between Oregon City and Molalla. The two houses therefore represent different historical connections: for the Dibble House, it is its listing on a register; for the Vonder Ahe House, it is the year it was built and its former role along a named route.

The Vonder Ahe House contains exhibits and some furniture from the period. Historical artifacts are displayed at Ivor Davies Hall. Those interested in the history of houses and objects will find different points of interest here, from the former use of a stagecoach route to period furniture from the house and historical artifacts.

River and Outdoor Activities

The Molalla River is designated a Wild and Scenic River and is managed for its scenic, recreational, geological, and cultural values. The Molalla River Recreation Area is about 10 miles southeast of Molalla. It provides access to the river, as well as opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating, and fishing. While the river’s designation highlights these four values, the recreation area offers specific activities on and around the water.

Recreational options range from a picnic to whitewater boating or camping. When planning, you can decide whether you’d rather spend time by the water or focus on a particular activity. The Recreation Area is approximately 10 miles away and lies southeast of Molalla.

Parks, Tours, and Past Events

Molalla Train Park covers four acres and has 4,200 feet of track. The two measurements describe different things: acres indicate the park’s area, while feet indicate the track’s length. Together, they convey the scale of the park without equating its area with its track length. Tours offered by Rosse Posse Acres Elk Farm in Molalla have a different focus.

Past events are also part of the area’s recreational offerings. The Molalla River BMX track hosted ABA motocross races that drew riders from across the Northwest. Sharp’s Green Acres Air Park was the site of numerous regional model airplane competitions. It also hosted the Pacific Coast Free Style Championship on the last weekend of July. Skydive Oregon offered tandem or solo skydiving.

In August 2014, a new and improved splash pad with a wider selection of water features for children to play on was unveiled at Sally Fox Park. The past races and competitions should be distinguished from current events; the splash pad, too, is tied to a specific date. If you’re planning to take part in any of these activities during your visit, check dates and current availability in advance.

Getting Around and Regional Excursions

OR-213 and OR-211 are important transportation corridors in the Molalla area. OR-213 runs roughly north to south along the foothills of the Cascade Range. OR-211 runs mostly west to east: its western terminus is at Interstate 5, and its eastern terminus is in the city of Sandy. Their directions and endpoints help distinguish the two corridors.

A regional excursion near Molalla, the South Clackamas Farm Loop, is a self-guided tour featuring creameries, wineries, and farmers markets. The route complements local cultural and recreational interests with a tour of the surrounding area. Its self-guided format sets it apart from the guided tours at Rosse Posse Acres Elk Farm; the tour’s listed stops include both creameries and wineries, as well as farmers markets.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sandy, Wilsonville, Milwaukie, Which, West Linn, Clackamas, Oregon City, Rhododendron

Return to the main travel overview: Clackamas.