Major city · Canada
St. Paul
Give St. Paul half a day: see the UFO Landing Pad, eat, then push on to Elk Point or Cold Lake. One night only if you are breaking a drive.
St. Paul is a small Lakeland town of about 5,800 people, two hours northeast of Edmonton, and its one draw is the world's first UFO landing pad, built in 1967 as a centennial project. Everything else is prairie-town basics: a golf course, a handful of restaurants, motels and an RV park. It works as a lunch stop or a single night on the way to Cold Lake, Elk Point or the Lakeland lakes, not as a multi-day base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, snow, few services open for visitors)
- Airports
- ZSP · YEG
- 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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for St. Paul911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- RCMP St. Paul (non-emergency)780-645-8888
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 St. Paul, 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
- SafetySt.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 780-645-8888 RCMP St. Paul (non-emergency)
- 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.
- AirportZSP St.
- Getting aroundThe town is small and flat: walk the main street in 10–15 minutes.
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)
- Sit-down mealRestaurant main courseC$18–30 (≈ US$14–25)
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfastC$12–18 (≈ US$9–14)
- Beerdraught in a loungeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)
- Budget bedRV or tent site, a night, per roomC$30 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$140 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ 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
- ZSP St. Paul Aerodrome (5 km (3.1 mi) west of town on Hwy 29; no commercial flights, so you arrive by road) · YEG Edmonton International (About 2 h 15 min by car via Hwy 15/29; the practical gateway)ZSP St. Paul Aerodrome (3.1 mi (5 km) west of town on Hwy 29; no commercial flights, so you arrive by road) · YEG Edmonton International (About 2 h 15 min by car via Hwy 15/29; the practical gateway)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Feb
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Mar
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
St. Paul: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
8 rd
Feb
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
7 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Nov
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
8 rd
Dec
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°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
The town is small and flat: walk the main street in 10–15 minutes. A car is the realistic option for anything outside the centre, including the aerodrome, the golf course and the lakes. No local bus network; taxis are limited, so plan evening trips around your accommodation.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Hwy 29 east, about 30 min by car
Small town on the North Saskatchewan River; pair it with the drive east.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Hwy 28/55 east, about 1 h 15 min by car
Bigger lake, beaches and air-base town; a better overnight than St. Paul.
Door to door: About 45 min
Hwy 28/41 south-east, about 45 min by car
Lakes and services; useful if you need a motel with more choice.
Lac La Biche
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Hwy 36 south then Hwy 55 west, about 1 h 30 min by car
Doable as a day, but better as a stop on a longer Lakeland loop.
Door to door: About 2 h
Hwy 15 to Lamont then Hwy 29, about 2 h by car
Too far for a return day; treat it as your arrival or departure leg.
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.
50 Ave (main street)
Motels, restaurants and the UFO pad within a short walk; best if you have no car for the evening.
Highway 29 west side
Canalta and the golf course; quieter, needs a car or a taxi to reach downtown.
Town of St. Paul RV Park, 4800 55 St
Camping and RV hookups for summer road trips; book ahead in July–August.
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
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × C$140 | C$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Fuel, Edmonton return (about 400 km)1 × C$60 · check | C$60 |
| Golf green fee, 18 holes2 × C$55 · check | 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; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Diner breakfast | C$12–18 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Pizza, medium | C$18–28 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Restaurant main course | C$18–30 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer, draught in a lounge | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Motel double room, summercheck | C$95–200 (≈ US$70–150) |
| Fuel, per litrecheck | C$1.40–1.70 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long and cell coverage thins between towns: fill the tank in St. Paul before heading to Cold Lake or Elk Point.
- Winter driving on Hwy 29 and Hwy 36 is the real hazard: ice, drifting snow and closed sections; check road conditions before setting out.
- Restaurant and motel hours are short and seasonal; several places close early or on Sundays.
- The UFO Landing Pad site is a roadside stop, not an attraction with facilities: 15–30 minutes is enough.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- RCMP St. Paul (non-emergency)
- 780-645-8888
Pocket card
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St. PaulSt. Paul
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- RCMP St. Paul (non-emergency)780-645-8888
Embassy
No embassies in St. Paul; the US consulate-general is in Calgary and most others are in Ottawa, Toronto or Vancouver.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Edmonton → St. Paul by car: about 200 km (124 mi), 2 h, fuel about C$30 (≈ US$25) one way (check)about 124 mi (200 km), 2 h, fuel about C$30 (≈ US$25) one way (check)
- St. Paul → Cold Lake by car: about 90 km (56 mi), 1 h 15 min (check)about 56 mi (90 km), 1 h 15 min (check)
- Taxi in town: short hops, ask the fare before you get in (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the UFO Landing Pad? — Where is the UFO Landing Pad?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Small-town services: carry cash for smaller places and check hours before you drive out.
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 St. Paul. 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 · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, snow, few services open for visitors) · month by month →
- 2 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: last-leg drive times, winter road checks, motel fallback in St. Paul.
- Walking cluster for the centre: UFO Landing Pad, 50 Ave restaurants, motels within 10 minutes.
- Place pages with verified hours for the UFO pad and Tourist Information Centre, plus the golf course season.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so the Hwy 29 corridor can go green or be flagged.