High Prairie, a town nestled in northern Alberta, Canada within Big Lakes County, is a place where history and nature intertwine. Situated at the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 749, it is approximately 89 km northeast of Valleyview and 118 km west of Slave Lake. The town's name reflects the nature of the surrounding countryside, with its early name being Prairie River.
High Prairie's history took a significant turn in 1914 when the alignment of the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway, later known as the Northern Alberta Railway, was chosen to pass through the town instead of Grouard to the northeast. This decision led to a migration of residents and businesses from Grouard to High Prairie. With an estimated population of 600 people, High Prairie was incorporated as a village on April 6, 1945, and subsequently as a town on January 10, 1950.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, High Prairie had a population of 2,380 living in 941 of its 1,119 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -7.2% from its 2016 population of 2,564. With a land area of 7.01 km2, it had a population density of 339.5/km2 in 2021.
High Prairie's proximity to the western shores of Lesser Slave Lake has fostered a thriving tourism industry, particularly during the warm summer months. The lake hosts numerous attractions, including events such as the Golden Walleye Classic.
For bird-watching enthusiasts, Winagami Lake Provincial Park, approximately 12 kilometres to the north of High Prairie, and Kimiwan Lake, approximately 49 kilometres to the northwest, are must-visit locations. These lakes are situated where three major migration paths meet – the Central Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, and the Pacific Flyway.
High Prairie is home to the Community Health and Wellness Clinic, run by Alberta Health Services (AHS). Established in 2014, this family-focused clinic provides primary care services and responds to the higher incidents of patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and breathing disorders. The clinic boasts a team of chronic disease management nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians. High Prairie also has a privately-run clinic, the High Prairie Medical Clinic, which has served the community for decades.
In 2001, High Prairie was recognized for its state-of-the-art water treatment system and was awarded 4 'blooms' by Communities in Bloom. This non-profit organization encourages environmental responsibility and beautification in Canadian communities.
High Prairie has also made its mark in popular culture. The news satire program This Is That featured an episode discussing a fictional attempt by High Prairie to attract tourism by inventing a fake accent.
