Cold Lake (Alberta)
Lake Boreal lake on the Alberta–Saskatchewan border
Straddling the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, Cold Lake draws anglers and boaters to its clear waters and provincial parks; the region also supports outdoor camping and watersports.
Cold Lake is a large freshwater lake on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan in western Canada, and it gives its name to nearby communities and facilities. The lake is used for recreation and local water-based activities.
The lake is popular for boating, fishing and lakeside recreation, and several towns and settlements lie on or near its shores offering services and access points. The shoreline includes public boat launches, marinas and seasonal facilities used by anglers and holiday visitors.
The lake and surrounding area have long supported indigenous use and later European settlement tied to fishing, transport and regional development; more recent decades have seen recreational infrastructure and community growth on the lake’s shores.
Cold Lake lies on the provincial boundary between northeastern Alberta and western Saskatchewan in Canada, in a region of mixed boreal forest and lakes. The city of Cold Lake in Alberta is located on the lake’s shores and serves as a local service centre.
- Border lake: The lake straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan provincial border and supports recreational boating and angling activities.
How to Get to Cold Lake (Alberta) #
Cold Lake is reached by driving northeast from Edmonton along Highway 28 and local roads; regional flights serve nearby Cold Lake Regional Airport (YOD). The town of Cold Lake is on the lake’s shore and provides access points, marinas and parks.
Tips for Visiting Cold Lake (Alberta) #
- Confirm which Cold Lake you intend to visit - the Alberta/Saskatchewan border area has recreational facilities and provincial parks.
- If fishing or boating, check local regulations and licensing requirements for the Alberta/Saskatchewan jurisdictions.
Best Time to Visit Cold Lake (Alberta) #
Summer is the peak recreational season; winter offers a very different, icy experience for winter sports.
Weather & Climate near Cold Lake (Alberta) #
Cold Lake (Alberta)'s climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -21°C to 22°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -11°C and lows of -21°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -18°C. The driest month with just 12 mm.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -13°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 76 mm of rain.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -16°C. Light rainfall.
