Location: Hwy 58; 79 miles west of High Level, 551 miles northwest of Edmonton and 207 miles north of Grande Prairie. Population: 1200. Visitor information: Town of Rainbow Lake, PO Box 149 Rainbow Lake, AB T0H 2Y0; Phone: (780) 956-3934.
The town is named for its proximity to the lake, which the Slavey and Cree people inhabiting the area for many years referred to as Rainbow, because of its shape. A large oil discovery in 1965 led to the development of the town.
The Rainbow Lake Forest Provincial Recreation Area, located 27 miles southwest of the town, offers 16 camp sites, a day use area, boat launch, playground and fishing access: (780) 956-3919. The Rainbow Lake Trout Pond lies 1.5 miles east of town on Highway 58 and provides day use facilities with playground and picnic areas, fishing and swimming.
Many golf tournaments are held at the course in the center of town, while winter activities include curling bonspiels, hockey tournaments, skating carnival and snowmobile rally.
