Olallie Lake

Home » Birding Locations » Jefferson County » Madras North & East

Warm Springs Boat Ramp

More Info Directions

Mecca Flats

More Info Directions

Brewer Reservoir

More Info Directions

Little Willow Creek Reservoir

More Info Directions

Agency Plains

More Info Directions

Ashwood Area

More Info Directions

Warm Springs Museum

More Info Directions

Madras Sewage Ponds

More Info Directions

Dry Creek Campground

More Info Directions

Pelton Dam and Reregulation Dam Overlook

More Info Directions

Buck Butte and Madras East

More Info Directions

Seasons

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Location

From Bend, drive to Sisters, and then stay on Hwy 20/126 to Hwy 22 to Detroit. Turn right on Road 46 for 17.5 miles (follow signs to Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort). Turn right on Road 4690 and travel for 8.1miles (Road 4690 turns into a gravel road after 6miles) then turn right on Road 4220. Follow Road 4220 for 6 miles to Olallie Lake. To locate the Jefferson Park trailhead, travel about 10 miles east of Detroit and turn north on Forest Road 2243. Take this road 7.4 miles to the parking area at the trailhead. The park is a 5 mile hike in wilderness areas so make sure proper preparations are made.

To get back to Detroit, you can either go back the same way you came or you can continue on Road 4220 and make a loop out of the drive (DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS ROUTE IF SNOW IS PRESENT!). Continuing on the loop back to Road 4690 on Road 4220, the road becomes very rough. You must have a high clearance vehicle. This way is not recommended unless you like rocky, slow roads, it is scenic though!

Amenities: Birding, car camping at some of the smaller lakes, hiking, and photography. There are some campsites with restrooms. Paul Dennis Mt. Hood National Forest Campground is right on the shore of Olallie Lake. There are tent sites, and both cabins and yurts for rent. There are numerous small lakes and ponds if you continue on Road 4220. Olallie Lake is a water source, so swimming is not allowed. At Triangle Lake there is a horse camp. Horseshoe Lake was my favorite.

Disclaimer: There may be many more amenities at some areas, and some of them may not be open at times in others. We have tried to be as accurate as we could! It is best to always take a couple of good, detailed maps with you.

Directions

Habitat and Birds

High mountain mixed conifers.  Birds to look for include:

Key Species: Clark’s Nutcracker, Gray Jay, Western Tanager, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak and Gray-crowned Rosy-finch.

Exceptional Species: Harlequin Duck, Black-throated Blue Warbler, “Timberline” Brewer’s Sparrow, White-winged Crossbill.

Discussion