The original location was approximately 5.6 km (3.5 mi) north of the present spot and along the old Fort Vermilion/Meander River freighting trail, serving as a stopping place, not a town.

[6] The first fur traders arrived in this area in 1786, but it was not until 1947 that High Level was settled, with development of road access to Fort Vermilion being the primary factor in determining the town's present location.

[6] High Level marks the northern extent of the Peace River Country, and has one of the northernmost lands suited for agriculture in Canada.

The name notwithstanding, this town lies at a low elevation for an Alberta community and the regional topography contributes to the extremes of temperature.

In summer, air masses originating from higher elevations warm by compression as they descend to High Level.

High Level has a variety of wildlife, including wolves, coyotes, ravens, and many types of insects.

There are approximately 350,000 cultivated acres of farm land in the region and farmers transport their grains from up to 120 km (75 mi) away.

[19] The town has a council consisting of a mayor (Crystal McAteer) and six councillors (Brent Anderson, Robyn Dwyer, Terrance Jessiman, Joshua Lambert, Boyd Ernest Langford, Jan Welke).

Scheduled airline service is offered at High Level Airport by both Central Mountain Air[21] and Northwestern Air;[22] direct flights to Edmonton, Calgary, Lloydminster, Rainbow Lake, Hay River and Fort Smith are offered daily except Saturdays.