The small Canadian Town of Rainbow Lake is located approximately 132 km west of High Level, Alberta on Highway 58, and 918 km northwest of Edmonton. It was named for its proximity to Rainbow Lake, which was called Rainbow because of its shape by the Cree and Slavery, who inhabited the area for many years. Oil was discovered near Rainbow Lake in 1965, which resulted in the "oil boom" followed by the development of the town in 1966.