Tie Lake is a very popular recreation lake located in the community of Cranbrook, BC, north of the village of Jaffray, in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. The lake includes three arms and two recreation parks. Both with the looming Rocky Mountains in the background.

Some of the Tie Lake shoreline near the paved access road is lined with residential and vacation homes with boat docks. While the other arms of the lake, the more remote regions, are best accessed by boat and consist of marshland regions, secluded bays and birdwatching wetlands.

On the lake are two popular recreation parks. The Tie Lake Regional Day Use Park and the Tie Lake Recreation Site, both, provide an opportunity to enjoy activities on the lake. Activities like swimming, canoeing, boating, fishing and water skiing. While mountain biking in the summer and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter are enjoyed in the backcountry areas around the lake.

The Tie Lake Regional Day Use Park is a good destination for accessing the lake and enjoying a day of activity. The treed park rests on the shores of the lake where it enjoys a small sandy beach and a grass lawn area for picnicking. The regional park includes picnic tables (some under shelter, others in the open), big fire pits, outhouse and a horseshoe pit.

The Tie Lake Recreation Site is a small, tight camping destination on the shores of the lake. The park includes picnic tables, fire pits and pit toilets. Some campsites are lakefront while others are in the trees. Motorhomes and trailers may find it very tight getting in and out of this recreation site. At the entrance of the recreation site, near the pull out, is a boat launch.

The Tie Lake Recreation Site is a self serve campground. Self serve means you pack out what you pack in. Leave no trace behind so others may enjoy the lake and campground also. Bring your own wood and water.

The lake is home to many species of wildlife including deer, black bears, painted turtles, beaver, squirrels, elk, coyotes, muskrat and chipmunks. Birdwatching is popular here too. One can view songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl when visiting Tie Lake. Birds like osprey, ducks, blue herons, hawks, ravens, loons, grebes and red winged blackbirds.

How to Get to Tie Lake:

Travel to the community of Cranbrook, BC. From Cranbrook travel south on Highway #3/93 to Jaffray. In Jaffray look for the paved Tie Lake Road on your left. Travel Tie Lake Road to the fork in the road. Left takes you to the Tie Lake Regional Park. Right takes you to the Tie Lake Recreation Site. Be aware the recreation site entrance is hidden and easily missed.