Major city · Canada
Rimbey
One night, and only if you are already driving Highway 20 or 53: the truck museum and Gull Lake beach fill a half-day, not a trip.
Rimbey is a farm and oil town of about 2,600 people in the Central Corridor, at the junction of Highways 20 and 53. It sits 10 minutes west of Gull Lake, the reason most visitors come. The town itself is a half-day: a truck museum, a dirt racetrack and a brewpub. Treat it as a stop on a Red Deer–Rocky Mountain House drive, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the lake; Feb–Mar for ice fishing
- avoid Nov–Mar unless you want winter; no lake swimming
- Airports
- YEG · YYC · RIM
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Rimbey911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rimbey, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyRimbey is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are winter roads, wildlife on Highway 20 at dusk and alcohol at the lake.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Alberta road conditions (511) · 811 Health Link Alberta (24 h nurse line)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYEG Edmonton International (About 1 h 30 min by car via Highway 2 and 53; the usual gateway).
- Getting aroundA car is required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerpint at a pub / can at a liquor storeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryC$5–10 (≈ US$4–8)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$220 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$250 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YEG Edmonton International (About 1 h 30 min by car via Highway 2 and 53; the usual gateway) · YYC Calgary International (About 2 h by car via Highway 2 and 20; check road conditions in winter) · RIM Rimbey Airport (General aviation only, no scheduled service; 3.7 km (2.3 mi) southwest of town)YEG Edmonton International (About 1 h 30 min by car via Highway 2 and 53; the usual gateway) · YYC Calgary International (About 2 h by car via Highway 2 and 20; check road conditions in winter) · RIM Rimbey Airport (General aviation only, no scheduled service; 2.3 mi (3.7 km) southwest of town)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Care
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Care
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Mixed: Feb–Mar. Avoid: Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jun (12 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rimbey: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
8 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
6 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
7 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
7 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is required. Highways 20 and 53 meet in town; downtown is a 10-minute walk end to end. Gull Lake and Parkland Beach are a 10-minute drive southeast. No public transit. Fuel up in town before heading to Rocky Mountain House or Drayton Valley.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gull Lake and Parkland Beach
goDoor to door: 15 min
Drive Highway 20 south, then Range Road 23 east, about 10 min
Public beach, boat launch and Gull Lake Golf Course; go early on summer weekends.
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive Highway 20 south to Bentley, then Highway 12 east
Bigger beach town with a boardwalk and more food; a better base for a lake day.
Rocky Mountain House
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive Highway 11 west from Highway 20
Foothills town and the David Thompson country gateway; pairs well with a Rimbey night.
Door to door: About 1 h
Drive Highway 20 south then Highway 11 east
The nearest real city: hospital, big-box stores and a museum.
Ponoka
cautionDoor to door: About 35 min
Drive Highway 53 east
Mostly a fairgrounds and race track town; only worth it on an event day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Highway 53 west side
Quality Inn & Suites and the highway strip; easiest with a car, walkable to nothing.
Highway 20 east side
Canalta Hotel and the truck stops; quietest rooms, 5 min drive to downtown.
Downtown 50 Ave and 51 St
Shops, pubs and the hotel-restaurant cluster; the only place you can park once and walk.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$140–220 (≈ US$110–160) excl. bed
- High
- C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel double (Quality Inn or Canalta)1 × 1 night × C$170 | C$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Car fuel, 200 km of local driving1 × C$30 | C$30 |
| Gull Lake Golf Course green fee, 18 holes2 × C$55 | C$110 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$65 |
| Trip total≈ C$358 per person per day, bed included | C$715≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; prices are before 5% GST. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Burger and fries at a diner | C$15–22 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Beer: pint at a pub / can at a liquor store | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) / C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Museum entry | C$5–10 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Gull Lake Golf Course green fee | C$40–70 (≈ US$30–55) |
| Camping, unserviced site per night | C$25–40 (≈ US$19–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving: Highway 20 and 53 can ice over and blow snow between November and March; check Alberta 511 before leaving.
- Cell coverage is fine in town and patchy on the back roads toward the lake.
- Gull Lake is shallow and can have blue-green algae advisories in late summer: check Alberta Health before swimming.
- The museum's historical village buildings have been closed at times; confirm before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Alberta road conditions (511)
- 511
- Health Link Alberta (24 h nurse line)
- 811
Pocket card
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RimbeyRimbey
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Could you take me to this address, please?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alberta road conditions511
- Health Link Alberta (24 h nurse line)811
Embassy
No consulates in Rimbey. US consulate general in Calgary; most other countries: consulates in Calgary or Vancouver, embassies in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- YEG → Rimbey by car: about 1 h 30 min, 140 km (87 mi)about 1 h 30 min, 87 mi (140 km)
- YYC → Rimbey by car: about 2 h, 180 km (112 mi)about 2 h, 112 mi (180 km)
- Rimbey → Red Deer by car: about 1 h, 80 km (50 mi)about 1 h, 50 mi (80 km)
Say or show
- Thank you / Thanks — Thank you
- Sorry / Excuse me — Sorry
- Could I get the bill, please? — The bill, please
- Where's the washroom? — Where is the washroom?
- Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
Tipping is expected: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rimbey. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for the lake; Feb–Mar for ice fishing · avoid Nov–Mar unless you want winter; no lake swimming · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YEG and YYC: last sensible departure times, winter road fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for downtown Rimbey with rescue anchors: 50 Ave, 51 St, the museum and the brewpub.
- Place pages with verified hours for the truck museum, Gull Lake beach and Central Alberta Raceways, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Gull Lake algae-advisory and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of Rimbey
- officialTravel Alberta
- officialAlberta 511 road conditions
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rimbey, revision 5242549 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Rimbey
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