By means of water, we give life to your dreams...
From its inception, O.A.R.S. has been offering outdoor adventure vacations with a different point of view – that of the river wild – surrounded by nature in a playground of a different kind. Since 1969, when O.A.R.S. founder and outdoor enthusiast George Wendt made one of the first non-motorized excursions down the mighty Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, O.A.R.S. has been changing the lives of those adventurous souls who have chosen to step off of the well-worn path with us – to journey into places of incredible natural beauty and untamed splendor. O.A.R.S. offers adventure vacations on over 35 rivers, mountains and coastlines throughout the world; however, some of the most amazing destinations lie right here in our own back yard. Join O.A.R.S. in discovering the remarkable Rivers of the Wild West.
Imagine
…the view from the Colorado River from the bow of an historic dory on a 300-mile, once-in-a-lifetime journey. Surrounded by the majestic walls of the Grand Canyon, rising high in their multi-hued splendor, one begins to realize just why those who travel on an O.A.R.S. Grand Canyon adventure are never the same once they return. One of the great wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon offers an adventure that is truly unique in its ability to profoundly affect the adventurous explorers who set their souls free within its walls. Original founder of Grand Canyon Dories and environmental activist Martin Litton once said, “Water running over rocks. Normal people don’t go there.”
...being transported back in time on a four or five-day exploration of the Green River through the Gates of Lodore – named by John Wesley Powell during his historic 1869 exploration – or the geologically-painted canvas surrounding the free-flowing Yampa River, rafting through Dinosaur National Monument is an experience to remember, rich with history 150 million years in the making. Explore numerous side canyons concealing hidden waterfalls and fossils, raft through Indian relics, petroglyphs and pictographs, ancient abodes and dinosaur bones from the Jurassic Period left waiting to be discovered again for the first time.
...gorgeous alpine scenery strewn with verdant pine, fir and spruce forests sheltering abundant wildlife, exciting whitewater rafting adventures, vast sandy beaches perfect for riverside recreation and catered camping, Native American rock art dating back an astounding 10,000 years, some of the finest trout fishing in the nation, a relaxing soak in riverside hot springs. The Wild & Scenic Salmon River basin in Idaho has it all! The beauty and history of this magnificent location beckon to be discovered – from the 2.3 million acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness surrounding the Main Salmon River to the shear-sided, rugged granite corridor known as Impassible Canyon, through which many of the Middle Fork Salmon River’s 100 rapids course, plunging to depths of nearly 8,000 feet on the Snake River through Hell’s Canyon in the deepest gorge in North America – O.A.R.S. Idaho rafting vacations offer something for everyone!
…the thrill of digging your paddle into a giant wall of adrenaline-pumping, tumultuous whitewater on the pristine Chilko River in British Columbia, only to come through it dripping wet, fully charged and eager to do it all over again. And you will, for a solid mile through Lava Canyon, on North America’s longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater, before spending quiet evenings in the rustically luxurious Chilko Lake Resort. Aside from whitewater rafting, other activities include horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking amidst a vibrant palette of wildflowers, and lake kayaking on picturesque Chilko Lake beneath the glaciated Coastal Mountain Range.
…whitewater rafting with a group of friends through the gently rolling, oak and poppy-covered hills of the Sierra Nevada foothills on the lively South Fork of the American River, enjoying amazing hors d’oeuvres and sipping a glass of fine local wine while waiting for a gourmet five-star meal to be served on one of O.A.R.S.’ Wine on the River adventures on the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River – California’s most select whitewater rafting destination – introducing the kids to the great outdoors from the seat of an inflatable kayak on the family-friendly Lower Klamath River, or crashing wildly through an underground cavern called Tunnel Chute on the Class IV whitewater of the Middle Fork American River. California whitewater rafting vacations offer something for everyone!
…foaming russet waves snaking through a geologic wonderland of red rock scenery equally as impressive as that of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, breathtaking sunsets veiled in a haze of crimson and amethyst against the backdrop of arches, buttes, pinnacles and spires – spectacular rock formations millions of years in the making – hidden waterfalls amidst concealed slot canyons, ancient rock art left behind by Anasazi artisans, brilliantly colored desert wildflowers set against a backdrop of red clay. Whether floating leisurely along while being surveyed by a herd of bighorn sheep, adventurous river otters playing along the riverbank or a Peregrine Falcon soaring high above, or hanging on with a white-knuckled grip while one of O.A.R.S.’ skilled guides navigates through the treacherous Big Drops as wave upon wave come crashing over the sides of the raft in a welcome wall of whitewater; rafting the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah is not to be missed.
O.A.R.S. Responsible travel ethics
No matter where in the natural world we choose to travel it is of paramount importance that we leave it as we found it. We ensure that the areas to which O.A.R.S. travels will be protected in their natural beauty for future adventurers through our partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and the implementation of seven, simple outdoor principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
