It is located in Strathcona County, east of Cooking Lake.

The lake was renamed in 1884 for Tom Hastings, a member of Tyrell's geological survey party.

The original name was Kawtikh, which in the Cree language means "the lake that does not freeze".

With close proximity to the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Wildlife, Grazing and Provincial Recreation Area and the Waskahegan Staging Area, many hiking and cross-country skiing possibilities exists.

The islands of Hastings Lake were named as one of the "Special Places 2000" by the Alberta Government.