Located west of the Alberta–Saskatchewan border, Wainwright is 61 kilometres (38 mi) south of Vermilion in the Battle River valley.

Originally named Denwood by settler James Dawson in 1905, the town was relocated by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west-northwest and renamed Wainwright after General William Wainwright, the second vice-president of railway.

The original townsite opened with post office in 1907 along with Denwood Hotel and store.

[7] The town is a divisional point on the Canadian National Railway main line.

It occurs at the end of June, and includes a rodeo, chuckwagon races, parade, midway, and an agricultural fair.