Prairie House Inn Offers Rustic Charm In Molalla
By Guest Author: Matt Wastradowski
On a recent midweek afternoon, I inched through rush-hour traffic heading south from Portland, passed farms at the northern edge of Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory and eventually arrived in the two-stoplight town of Molalla — where I’d spend the night at the cozy Prairie House Inn.
In so many ways, the journey — and my stay — felt like a trip back in time. Gone were the urban high-rises and sprawling office parks; instead, Mt. Hood rose above the eastern edge of town, cows mooed in the distance and the Prairie House Inn’s wraparound patio invited midsummer lingering.
The two-story inn, whose history stretches back more than a century, comprises six rooms, along with a first-floor common area that occasionally hosts Bible study groups, local teens grabbing coffee, book clubs, community meetings — and, yes, weary travelers looking to unwind in a rural setting.
Keli Reupena, manager at Prairie House Inn, says that quiet, laid-back vibe is part of the inn’s appeal. “You share a house, but it’s pretty mellow — and you’re not on top of each other,” she says.
If you’re curious about a breezy escape to Molalla — where ranches and rivers converge in the shadow of Mt. Hood — here’s what it’s like to spend the night at Prairie House Inn.
The Prairie House Inn offers guests a quiet, laid-back vibe in Molalla.
Prairie House Inn Stretches Back More Than A Century
The home that now houses the Prairie House Inn has a storied history in Molalla, dating back to the early 1900s.
The house, believed to be the first in Molalla with electricity and running water, lived several lives over the decades. At one point, it acted as a hub for local mail delivery but mostly served as a private residence. Annette Delbridge, one of the inn’s co-owners, recalls going to prom with a young man who lived there at the time. Eventually, the property was converted into a bed-and-breakfast but had shuttered by the time the Delbridge family purchased it in 2018.
Soon after taking over, the family restored the inn to its former glory — refurbishing floors, adding regionally inspired decor, and preserving old-growth Douglas fir siding. Today, six well-appointed rooms span the home’s two floors.
Molalla has grown up around the Prairie House Inn, but nods to the town’s rural heritage are everywhere. A cattle ranch sits just minutes away, and Mt. Hood’s snowcapped peak towers in the distance.
Ranch-Inspired Rooms Reflect Rural Surroundings
Each themed room is decorated to fit a different motif. The Cottage Suite, for instance, includes a shower lined with stone tile and wooden furniture that wouldn’t feel out of place in a log cabin. Upstairs, the Cowboy Room features Western-inspired decor and a poster from the Molalla Buckeroo — an Independence Day tradition for more than 100 years. (Fun fact: Annette’s father once served as president of the Buckeroo.)
Rooms include thoughtful amenities such as free Wi-Fi, televisions, comfortable beds, air conditioning and white noise machines for light sleepers.
Downstairs, a common area is outfitted with plush seating, board games and shelves of books for guests to flip through. Just outside, a wraparound porch offers a peaceful perch. Reupena says the setup encourages connection. “It’s like home,” she says. “The rooms aren’t huge, so you’re not hanging out in there all day. I think guests appreciate that homey atmosphere.”
Each room is decorated to fit a specific fun theme.
On-Site Coffee Shop Starts the Day Right
When the Delbridge family took over in 2018, Annette wasn’t much of a chef — so rather than revive the inn’s bed-and-breakfast service, she installed an outpost of the local Cowboy Coffee chain that she and her family own. Today, the shop serves light bites for breakfast and lunch, as well as a creative lineup of coffee drinks.
Reupena says guests enjoy the flexibility. “It’s so nice to come down and not have to drive or Uber somewhere to get a coffee,” she says.
Cowboy Coffee serves custom breakfast sandwiches and other favorites.
Restaurants And Outdoor Adventures Nearby
It’s tempting to simply kick back and enjoy Prairie House Inn’s cozy vibe, but Molalla and the nearby Mt. Hood foothills offer plenty to explore.
For relaxation, Bagby Hot Springs reopened in 2024 after an extended closure for repairs and restoration. The hot spring is accessed via a mostly flat forest trail. It’s generally open April through October, can get busy on weekends and requires a $5 soaking fee. (Check the Bagby Hot Springs Facebook group for up-to-date tips.)
For something more adventurous, sign up for a whitewater rafting trip on the Upper Clackamas River with a local outfitter such as eNRG Kayaking or Blue Sky Rafting. About 45 minutes from Molalla, the three-hour tour navigates Class III+ rapids through a scenic canyon. Here's a great video on how to raft the Upper Clackamas.
Hikers love the Molalla River Recreation Corridor, where trails lead to viewpoints overlooking rushing whitewater and mossy basalt cliffs.
When hunger strikes, the inn is just a short walk from several local eateries. Eugene’s Hitchin’ Post Cafe serves hearty breakfasts and lunches inside a Western-style dining room. Fire Foods offers a mix of Asian-inspired entrees (like drunken noodles and yakisoba) alongside American classics such as cheeseburgers and fries. At the edge of town, Molalla River Brewing Company pours house-made beers alongside regional favorites — best enjoyed with food cart fare on the spacious patio.
Matt Wastradowski loves the Pacific Northwest more than any rational human should — and has written extensively about the region's best craft beer, natural beauty, fascinating history, dynamic culinary scene and outdoor attractions for the likes of Outside, Portland Monthly, AAA's Via magazine and Northwest Travel & Life.
Since 2018, he's also authored three Oregon-centric guidebooks for Moon Travel Guides — one on scenic hikes, one on the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood and a general guidebook to the Beaver State's top sites.
