Cold Lake preserves an extensive fossil and subfossil record from the Pleistocene after the Last Glacial Maximum to the Late Holocene.

[7] The city is situated in Alberta's "Lakeland" district, 300 km (190 mi) northeast of Edmonton, near the Alberta-Saskatchewan provincial border.

[30] Every year Cold Lake hosts military forces from around the world for Exercise Maple Flag, a training exercise where pilots and support staff of NATO allies can take advantage of the Air Weapons Range and relatively open rural air space.

Running from 4 to 6 weeks and starting in May of each year, commercial accommodations in the entire region are left with little to no vacancy.

[31] Cold Lake has a variety of sports, including: Mayors: The last local election was held in October 2021.

As of 2021, the councillors of Cold Lake are Bob Mattice, Chris Vining, Vicky Lefebvre, Adele Richardson, Ryan Bailey, and Bill Parker.

Program offerings include academic upgrading, accounting, community social works, nursing, power engineering and university studies among others.

campground has powered sites, shower facilities with flush toilets, and a covered camp picnic area.

The Provincial campground boasts a wilderness trail system, a beach, boat launch and a powered section.

Recreational pastimes include, among others: The Air Force Museum preserves and exhibits the history of CFB Cold Lake and of 42 Radar Squadron.

The Museum also has four aircraft on display outside, including the CF-5 Freedom Fighter, CT-133 Silver Star, the CT-114 Tutor and the CT-134 Musketeer.

This museum explains the history of Oil and gas in the Cold Lake area from Paleolithic times to the present.

The Heritage Museum exhibits a time line of life in Cold Lake, both domestic and commercial.