About Irish-Taylor Trailhead
Tucked away in stands of pine within the Cascades of Central Oregon, the Irish and Taylor Lakes area is lovely and often quieter than other, more easily accessible lakes on the forest. This area has hiking, dispersed camping, fishing, and water recreation opportunities. Mosquitoes are plentiful here - be prepared! Visitors will first pass Taylor Lake on the left and Irish Lake second, on the right.This trailhead accesses the Pacific Crest Trail, which goes along the west shore of Irish Lake.Please note: It's recommended that visitors only access this area using a 4x4 high clearance vehicles. FS Road 4636 leading to the lakes past Little Cultus Lake is extremely rough.The Irish-Taylor Trailhead leads to the Three Sisters Wilderness shortly after leaving the trailhead. Wilderness Permits are required. See "Permit Info" below for more details.
How to Get There
From Bend, follow the Cascade Lakes Highway west for 46 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 4635, when you see a sign for Cultus Lake. In less than 1 mile, turn left on Forest Service Road 4630, where you see a sign that says Little Cultus Lake, 3 miles, and Irish and Taylor lakes, 7 miles.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Irish-Taylor Trailhead
Heading to Irish-Taylor Trailhead? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Irish-Taylor Trailhead?
No central reservation system listed for Irish-Taylor Trailhead. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/252003) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Irish-Taylor Trailhead?
From Bend, follow the Cascade Lakes Highway west for 46 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 4635, when you see a sign for Cultus Lake. In less than 1 mile, turn left on Forest Service Road 4630, where you see a sign that says Little Cultus Lake, 3 miles, and Irish and Taylor lakes, 7 miles.
References & Official Resources
