HOW TO FIND US

Located at the end of Highway 28, some say Cold Lake is northeast Alberta’s hidden gem.

Alberta’s Highway 28 will take you from Edmonton, through the better part of the Lakeland, ending at the Cold Lake Marina. 

Far from being the “end of the road,” we’re the start of your adventure. Whether you want to take up the challenge of catching some of the biggest lake trout Alberta has to offer, relax at the world-class Kinosoo Beach, ride trails, hike the country side, enjoy an authentic camping experience, or watch the Royal Canadian Air Force in action, Cold Lake is a four-seasons playground with something to offer for everyone. State-of-the-art rec facilities with staff members experienced in event planning make the city the perfect getaway for tournaments. 

A new mountain bike park, nearby ski hill, two well-maintained golf courses and Cold Lake Provincial Park offer premier outdoor activities.

Shopping downtown or along the lakefront gives visitors the chance to explore local specialty shops and find many of the big brands they know and trust. While a burgeoning arts scene means there’s always a show or event to take in. Cold Lake truly has something to offer for everyone!

Cold Lake is located in the Cold Lake Oil Sands region, the second largest oil sands deposit in Alberta.

Covering a trading area that serves over 60,000 people, Cold Lake has three main industries – the Canadian Forces Base 4 Wing Cold Lake, oil and gas development, and a strong tourism sector. 

Cold Lake is a young, vibrant community with almost 60 per cent of the population under the age of 35. Cold Lake is the proud home of 4 Wing Cold Lake – one of Canada’s busiest fighter bases – as well as a neighbor to Cold Lake First Nations and the Elizabeth Metis Settlement.

With a population of just under 15,000, the City of Cold Lake is the largest urban centre in the area and home to an ever-growing service industry. Many of the large chains are establishing a presence in the city, and local boutique shops still flourish in the vibrant downtown and the Lakeshore Business District. From a local distillery and brewery, to unique eateries and a thriving seasonal farmers market, Cold Lake has many of the amenities you would expect in a large urban centre while maintaining many local options. 

The diversity of the economy can be attributed to the continued growth in the region, even when things are slowing down in other areas. Balanced with a variety of service-based businesses, tourism, aerospace and National Defense, Cold Lake maintains deep roots and a rich history in the oil and gas industry. In fact, new oilfield technology was created in order to extract the resources from beneath the ground here.

Fishing and outdoor recreation have been bringing people to Cold Lake since the ‘20s: It was in 1929 when Mrs. Erickson, on vacation in Cold Lake, caught the province’s record lake trout. She reeled in a 52-and-a-half-pound trout that holds the record to this day. The lake trout fishery remains world-class, with anglers flocking to the area both in the summer and winter to catch not only lake trout, but walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and whitefish.

With Crown land trails nearby, as well as the storied Iron Horse Trail, the paved Millennium Trail that runs through Cold Lake, and a new mountain bike park on Radar Hill, hikers, bikers, motocross enthusiasts and everyone in between has found a reason to visit. 

This has led to a thriving hospitality industry that provides accommodations ranging from well-appointed hotel rooms to award-winning bed and breakfast operations, cabins, trailer and tent camping, and more.