Cranbrook, BC : Horseshoe Lake Recreation Site
East Kootenays, British Columbia, Canada

Horseshoe Lake Recreation Site is a recreation destination and wilderness campground located east of the community of Cranbrook, BC in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. The site is located in a valley referred to as the Rocky Mountain Trench and, behind the site, are the looming Steeples Mountains of the Rocky Mountain Range.

The Horseshoe Lake Recreation Site is perched on gentle rolling hills, surrounded by grasslands and forests of pine and aspen trees. The site centres around the lake which is spring fed therefore the water levels will rise and fall with the seasons.

The wilderness recreation destination is a self serve campground shared with free roaming cows. So.. a cow sighting is very possible. Self serve means you pack out what you pack in. Leave no trace behind so others may enjoy the lake also.

The campsite locations vary. Some are lakefront on the open grassy slopes, while others are hidden in trees high up on a ridge. Most campsites have picnic tables and fire pits. And there are pit toilets in various locations.

Some of the outdoor activities enjoyed at the Horseshoe Lake include hiking, birdwatching, camping, mountain biking, swimming, fishing and canoeing. There is a roof top boat launch located at the north end of the lake. No power boats are permitted on this lake.

Some arrive at Horseshoe Lake to enjoy activities away from the lake in the backcountry. Therefore the lake becomes more like a base camp for adventure. Some of the nearby adventures include backpacking into the Steeples Mountain Range or dirt biking and atving the gravel roads.

There are other activities in close proximity to the recreation site. The Fort Steele Heritage Town is northwest of the lake on Highway #93/95. While the Norbury Lake Provincial Park is located southeast of the recreation site on the Wardner Fort Steele Road.

How to Get to Horseshoe Lake Recreation Site:

Travel to the community of Cranbrook BC. From the community continue traveling north on Highway #3/95. Just outside of the community take a right on Highway #93/95 towards Fort Steele Heritage Town. It is 16 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook.

300 metres past the Fort Steele Heritage Town take a right on the Wardner Fort Steele Road. Continue down the road for about 11 kilometres. Here it gets tricky as signage is poor. Look on your left for a fence with many baseball caps on it. The gravel road opening in the fence is Horseshoe Lake Road. Proceed over the cattle guard for a few hundred metres to a "Y" in the road. Take either road as it is a loop road circling the lake.