Nestled in Strathcona County, Alberta, North Cooking Lake is a peaceful residential community known for its rich history and scenic surroundings. Located near the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, the hamlet earned its place as a beloved resort destination in the early 1900s.

Following the completion of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway line from Edmonton in 1909, North Cooking Lake quickly became a popular weekend getaway. Special trains transported visitors to the hamlet, where passenger boats ferried them to the sandy beaches on the lake’s south shore. The area saw a surge in demand for cottages before World War I, which continued—though slower—development after the war.

Today, North Cooking Lake remains a charming reminder of Alberta’s recreational past, offering residents and visitors a quiet escape surrounded by natural beauty.

Historical reference: Atlas of Alberta Lakes (1990), formerly available as a public database.