A Place to Connect, Explore, and be Yourself
Welcome to Pride in the Highlands
The Haliburton Highlands is a place where everyone can feel at home. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape, an outdoor adventure, a wellness retreat, or a visit during Pride in the Highlands, you’ll discover welcoming communities, spectacular natural landscapes, vibrant arts and culture, and experiences that invite you to connect, explore, and be yourself.
Throughout the region, Rainbow Registered businesses have demonstrated their commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive experiences for 2SLGBTQIA+ visitors. From lakeside accommodations and outdoor adventures to wellness retreats and arts experiences, the Highlands is ready to welcome you.
Trusted places to stay, explore, create, and connect.
Events, celebrations, and community connections.
Weekend itineraries, experiences, and travel inspiration.
Rainbow Registered Businesses in the Haliburton Highlands
When you see the Rainbow Registered symbol, you can travel with confidence. These businesses have demonstrated their commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive experiences for 2SLGBTQIA+ visitors. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, an outdoor adventure, a wellness retreat, or a creative experience, you’ll find welcoming places to stay, explore, and connect throughout the Highlands.
The Post House
Signature Stay & Dine 
Nestled on the shores of a stunning five-lake chain in the Haliburton Highlands, The Post House is a private lakeside retreat where exceptional hospitality, outstanding food, and memorable experiences come together. Beautifully restored from a family cottage retreat established nearly a century ago, the property blends historic charm with contemporary comfort in a peaceful waterfront setting.
Guests can savour seasonal dining experiences featuring Ontario-grown ingredients, unwind beside the lake, gather with friends, or simply slow down and reconnect. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a wellness getaway, or a relaxing weekend exploring the Highlands, The Post House offers an inviting home base for creating unforgettable memories. Discover More →
Signature Stay
Surrounded by peaceful forests and pristine lakes, Dimensions Retreats offers a luxury wellness experience designed to help guests slow down, recharge, and reconnect with nature. Beautiful accommodations, personalized hospitality, and immersive wellness programming come together to create a truly restorative retreat in the heart of the Haliburton Highlands.
Guests can explore tranquil forest trails, enjoy lakeside activities, and experience thoughtfully curated wellness offerings designed to inspire balance and renewal. Dining is an important part of every stay, with seasonal menus crafted by Executive Chef Miriam Echeverria that celebrate locally sourced ingredients and the connection between wellness and great food.
Whether you’re seeking a restorative getaway, a wellness-focused retreat, or simply a peaceful escape surrounded by nature, Dimensions Retreats offers a welcoming space to relax, reconnect, and return home refreshed. Discover More →
Stay & Relax
Perched along the Drag River overlooking the scenic Scotts Dam Falls, Sunny Rock Bed & Breakfast is an adults-only retreat where nature, comfort, and authentic Highlands hospitality come together. Originally established as a Finnish family resort nearly a century ago, the property has evolved into a welcoming getaway known for its peaceful setting, spacious accommodations, and personal touches.
Guests can relax on expansive decks, watch local wildlife, explore nearby lakes and trails, or simply unwind with a book while listening to the sound of the falls. Each morning begins with a hearty Canadian breakfast tailored to guests’ tastes, while complimentary amenities such as bicycles, watercraft, and seasonal equipment make it easy to experience the best of the Haliburton Highlands. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a weekend of outdoor adventure, or a chance to disconnect and recharge, Sunny Rock offers a memorable place to stay and reconnect with nature. Discover More →
Signature Stay & Experience
With more than 100,000 acres of forest, lakes, and wilderness to explore, Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve offers some of Ontario’s most memorable outdoor experiences. Whether you’re seeking peaceful time in nature or an active adventure, this vast wilderness destination invites visitors to slow down, unplug, and discover the beauty of the Haliburton Highlands.
Guests can hike or bike hundreds of kilometres of trails, paddle pristine lakes, stay in unique accommodations, and experience attractions such as the Wolf Centre, Canopy Tour, Sporting Clays Range, and seasonal adventures including snowshoeing, snowmobiling, winter ATVing, and ice climbing. From quiet moments surrounded by nature to unforgettable outdoor experiences, every visit offers a chance to connect with the landscape and create lasting memories. Discover More →
Experience
Helping visitors build confidence, skills, and meaningful connections in the outdoors through guided experiences in the Haliburton Highlands and beyond. Whether you’re new to camping, looking to expand your wilderness skills, or seeking a unique outdoor adventure, Deep Roots Adventure offers welcoming experiences for individuals, families, and groups.
From paddling and backcountry exploration to Learn to Camp programs, wilderness education, and custom outdoor adventures, every experience is designed to encourage discovery, self-reliance, and a deeper appreciation for nature. With experienced guides, equipment rentals, and hands-on learning opportunities, Deep Roots makes it easy to explore the outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories. Discover More →
Experience
Located in the heart of Haliburton Village, Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre is a vibrant community hub where creativity, culture, and connection come together. Housed in an original 1893 Grand Trunk station, the gallery showcases rotating exhibitions featuring local, regional, and emerging artists while offering workshops, events, and opportunities to engage with the arts.
Visitors can explore inspiring exhibitions, meet artists, participate in creative experiences, and discover the talent that helps define the Haliburton Highlands’ thriving arts scene. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a curious traveller, or simply looking for a meaningful cultural experience, Rails End offers a welcoming space to connect with creativity and community. Discover More →
Building Community and Inclusion Year-Round
Pride in the Highlands is a community-led organization dedicated to fostering visibility, inclusion, and connection for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, families, friends, and allies throughout the Haliburton Highlands. Through year-round programming, partnerships, and community initiatives, the organization creates opportunities for people to come together, share experiences, and celebrate diversity.
Working with local businesses, artists, volunteers, and community groups, Pride in the Highlands helps create welcoming spaces where everyone can feel a sense of belonging. Whether you’re a resident, seasonal visitor, or first-time traveller, you’ll find a community that values inclusion, connection, and authentic hospitality.
Each August, Pride in the Highlands brings together residents, visitors, families, friends, and allies for a week-long celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ culture, creativity, and community throughout the Haliburton Highlands.
Festival events take place across the region and include flag raisings, art exhibitions, youth activities, Drag Story Time, performances, trivia nights, and community gatherings. Whether you’re attending your first Pride event or returning to celebrate with friends, you’ll find welcoming spaces, meaningful connections, and opportunities to express yourself.
The festival culminates in a vibrant celebration in the Village of Minden, featuring the Rainbow StreetFest and Float With Pride River Parade on the Gull River. With live entertainment, local vendors, community organizations, music, food, and colourful displays of pride, it’s one of the most unique summer events in the Haliburton Highlands.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Pride in the Highlands is a memorable way to experience the region’s welcoming communities, beautiful landscapes, thriving arts scene, and authentic small-town hospitality. Discover More →
LGBTQ+ Getaway Ideas
Looking for inspiration? Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a wellness retreat, an outdoor adventure, or a cultural getaway, the Haliburton Highlands offers unforgettable experiences and welcoming places to stay, explore, and connect.
It Starts at the River: 2 Nights, 3 Days in Minden
Minden sits at the heart of cottage country, where the Gull River flows through town and every adventure connects back to the water. This thoughtfully curated three-day itinerary invites visitors to slow down, embrace the small-town atmosphere, and experience the natural beauty, local flavours, and outdoor adventures that make Minden a favourite Highlands destination.
Spend your days exploring scenic trails, relaxing along the river, discovering unique shops and cafés, and enjoying the welcoming charm of a community where nature and culture meet. Whether you’re paddling, cycling, hiking, dining on a patio, or simply taking in the surroundings, this itinerary offers the perfect introduction to the Haliburton Highlands and a memorable getaway filled with authentic experiences.
Explore Day Trips in the Haliburton Highland
Looking for even more inspiration? Our Day Trips guide features curated itineraries that showcase the best of the Haliburton Highlands, from scenic drives and outdoor adventures to arts and culture experiences, local flavours, charming villages, and hidden gems. Whether you have a few hours or a full day to explore, you’ll find ideas to help you experience the region like a local.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re visiting for Pride in the Highlands, exploring our Rainbow Registered businesses, or simply planning a weekend escape, here are answers to some common questions to help you make the most of your visit.
What makes the Haliburton Highlands a unique getaway destination?
The Haliburton Highlands combines spectacular natural landscapes, welcoming communities, vibrant arts and culture, and year-round outdoor recreation. Visitors can explore thousands of lakes, extensive trail networks, scenic drives, charming villages, galleries, wellness experiences, and outdoor adventures all within one destination.
Are there outdoor activities near the Rainbow Registered businesses?
Absolutely. The Haliburton Highlands is a destination where nature is never far away. From scenic hiking trails and paddling routes to cycling, wildlife viewing, and quiet waterfront experiences, you’ll find countless ways to explore the region’s lakes, forests, and natural beauty while visiting our Rainbow Registered businesses.
Looking for something tailored to your interests? Deep Roots Adventure offers guided outdoor experiences, wilderness education, and custom adventure packages designed around your comfort level, goals, and interests. Led by naturalist and outdoor educator Corina Hall, Deep Roots helps visitors discover the Highlands through meaningful experiences that build confidence, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.
What are the best hiking experiences in the Haliburton Highlands?
Whether you’re looking for a gentle walk or a full-day adventure, the Haliburton Highlands offers hiking experiences for every skill level. One of the region’s most popular attractions is the Haliburton Sculpture Forest, where art and nature come together along an easy-to-explore trail featuring large-scale outdoor sculptures set among towering pines and natural landscapes.
Visitors can also discover scenic trails at Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve, explore conservation areas and county forests, or find quiet lakeside paths throughout the region. From breathtaking lookouts and rugged wilderness routes to accessible walking trails and forest paths, hiking in the Haliburton Highlands is one of the best ways to experience the region’s natural beauty and connect with the landscape.
What arts and cultural experiences can I explore during my visit?
The Haliburton Highlands is home to one of Ontario’s most vibrant rural arts communities, where creativity and nature often go hand in hand. Visitors can explore art galleries, artist studios, museums, public art, live performances, and cultural events throughout the year. Discover even more creative experiences through our Galleries & Museums guide.
- Agnes Jamieson Gallery – Located in Minden, the AJG preserves the legacy of renowned Canadian artist André Lapine while showcasing exhibitions by local and regional artists.
- Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre – A public art gallery in Haliburton Village’s historic railway station, featuring engaging exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events year-round.
- Corner Gallery – Situated in Haliburton Village’s historic Lucas House, this gallery showcases works by Ontario artists with a focus on abstraction and modern Canadian landscapes.
- The Space – Located beneath Russell Red Records in Haliburton Village, this contemporary gallery highlights emerging artists and fresh creative perspectives.
Discover Even More Places to Stay and Dine
While Rainbow Registered businesses offer visitors an added level of confidence, they are just part of the welcoming hospitality you’ll find throughout the Haliburton Highlands.
Browse our Where to Stay guide to discover accommodations throughout the region, from cozy B&Bs and waterfront resorts to private cottages and unique overnight experiences. Looking for great food and local flavours? Explore our Where to Eat guide to find restaurants, cafés, pubs, patios, and culinary experiences across the Haliburton Highlands.