Situated in Canada's Northwest corner, up near the Arctic Circle, the Yukon territory is an untamed wilderness with northern lights and accepting vibes, where all are welcome.

Inclusive destinations are not limited to big cities, and smaller populations are not always small-minded. Visitors will find it's a different world up in the Yukon, with vibrant rainbow walkways, queer owned and allied businesses, and a bumping annual Pride festival.

Whitehorse Pride, 1st - 6th August 2025: The 12th Annual Whitehorse Pride Festival will be coming to Whitehorse, the Yukon's capital city, in August 2025. The jam-packed festival week will include signature favourites like the Pride Parade. Visitors can enjoy Pride and show their rainbow colours under the Midnight Sun. Yukon's Pride Festival is hosted by Queer Yukon. Queer Yukon offers safer spaces, resources, support, online and in-person programming, and community connection to LGBTQIA+ Yukoners and allies. The Yukon has an active LGBTQ2S+ community and there may well be meet-ups or festivals that you wouldn't want to miss.

Where to stay: rainbow-friendly accommodation:

Visitors won't have to settle for a run-of-the-mill vacation when you can have an unforgettable experience in The Yukon. With plenty of accommodations owned and operated by LGBTQ2S+ individuals and allies, they'll be able to find a warm and welcoming home base for this big adventure. From cozy inns to beautiful boutique hotels, to queer-friendly home rentals, there's something for every taste and budget.

Dawson's New Ethical and Contactless Hotel

Dawson Lodge is Dawson City's newest accommodation option and is a modern boutique hotel located right in the heart of the city, a short walk from all the attractions. The property has enjoyed its first season for international visitors having opened in March 2020 just before lockdown. British couple, Lee Manning and Mike Ellis, renovated the historic lodge from a 1940s grocery store to a cosy downtown retreat. The owners of Dawson City's top-rated accommodation in 2022 and 2023 (Dawson Lodge), opened Canada's northernmost day spa in June 2024. The spa offers an outdoor swim spa, hot tub, and sauna for northern lights viewing, along with an indoor sauna, steam room, and sensory deprivation tank. Services include massage, acupuncture, advanced aesthetics, and holistic therapies. The onsite café serves an all plant-based menu. Enhance your stay with tours of the northern lights, Tombstone Territorial Park, and the Tr'ondëk-Klondike UNESCO World Heritage Site. www.yukonspaces.com

Inn on the Lake

Inn on the Lake is an award winning, Yukon family owned and operated lodge for more than 25 years. The stunning lodge is located on the shores of Marsh Lake, 40 minutes south of Whitehorse. Renowned for offering the unique opportunity to watch the Northern Lights directly from the lodge, award-winning Inn on the Lake is the perfect location for daily excursions. Nestled in between the stunning mountain scenery and vast fine forests, the impressive log structure gets its very unique character from its cathedral ceiling and expansive deck areas overlooking Marsh Lake; and equally from the jaunty ambiance inside highlighted by its massive timbers of Engelmann spruce. Whether it's an isolated hideaway or an action-packed adventure you crave there is something for everyone. Engage in a full-bodied experience and taste the spirit of the Yukon culinary heritage. From the Boreal berry bounty to the noble Sockeye salmon, we want you to taste the Yukon. www.innonthelake.ca

MisterB&B also provides an extensive list of gay hotels and B&Bs in the Yukon: https://www.misterbandb.com/s/yukon-canada

Where to eat: dine with pride at queer owned and allied eateries

The Yukon is cooking up a storm with a bunch of queer owned and allied eateries that are begging to tantilise visitors' taste buds. Not only are these great spots for chowing down on delicious eats, but they're also community hubs where visitors can hang out with friends and connect with the LGBTQ2S+ community.

By grabbing a bite at one of these gems, visitors will be treated to Yukon hospitality and be supporting a diverse and inclusive local food industry. So whether visitors are in the mood for a scrumptious breakfast, long lunch, a cold brew, or even a full meal, visitors are encouraged to swing by and help build a tastier and more inclusive community while they are in the Yukon.

Locals will be more than happy to steer visitors in the direction of their favourite queer owned and allied bars, restaurants, and activities, providing personal insight into the night-time scene.

Where to shop: support local queer artists and makers

Yukon art reflects the unique perspectives and talents of the small but diverse population. Whether visitors are looking to catch a thought-provoking performance or pick up a carefully inked design, there are plenty of LGBTQ2S+ practitioners and allies to seek them out. With cultural institutions and grassroots markets showcasing the work of queer artists, visitors won't be finding boring souvenirs here.

The Yukon territory is home to several indigenous communities, whose artists often blend cultural traditions with contemporary styles. Visitors should keep an eye out for our rainbow crosswalks when out and about, and be sure to catch the Gwaandak Theatre, which is queer owned and allied and frequently explores themes that relate to queer culture in its productions.

About Yukon:

Situated in the upper Northwest corner of Canada, next to Alaska, the Yukon is Canada's most accessible northern destination. Home to Canada's highest mountain (Mount Logan) and the planet's largest non-polar icefields located in Kluane National Park and Reserve - a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of North America's most undiscovered destinations; close to 80 percent remains pristine wilderness with 5,000-metre peaks, forested valleys, unspoiled waters and untamed wildlife. Roughly the size of Spain at just over 186,000 square miles, the Yukon is home to more than 220,000 caribou, 70,000 moose, 22,000 mountain sheep, 7,000 grizzly bears, 10,000 black bears and 250 species of birds, with a human population of only 46,000.

For further information on the Yukon, visit www.travelyukon.com