South Cooking Lake is a hamlet in Alberta, Canada within Strathcona County. It is located on Highway 14, approximately 19 km (12 mi) southeast of Sherwood Park.

The Cree, Blackfoot and the Sarcee were the first to inhabit the area, and that is where the name originally came from. Cooking Lake was fished commercially until 1926. Large numbers of buffalo, lynx, fox, mink, muskrat, elk, deer, moose, wolves, coyotes, and black bears roamed the area.

Today it is still possible to see a variety of wildlife and birds throughout the area. There is a day-use park, which is a great place for family picnics, boating, and windsurfing. There is a boat launch, walking trails, picnic sites, and waterfowl viewing areas. The community hall has been completely renovated and is available for rent.

The population of South Cooking Lake according to the 2024 municipal census conducted by Strathcona County is 291, a 5.1% change from its 2022 municipal census population count of 277.

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, South Cooking Lake had a population of 288 living in 133 of its 138 total private dwellings, a change of 19.5% from its 2016 population of 241. With a land area of 2.31 km (0.89 sq mi), it had a population density of 124.7/km (322.9/sq mi) in 2021.

As a designated place in the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, South Cooking Lake had a population of 241 living in 105 of its 117 total private dwellings, a change of -16.3% from its 2011 population of 288. With a land area of 2.3 km (0.89 sq mi), it had a population density of 104.8/km (271.4/sq mi) in 2016.

Edmonton/Cooking Lake Airport is located nearby and serves the community.

• List of communities in Alberta
• List of designated places in Alberta
• List of hamlets in Alberta