OARS - Whitewater Rafting

06/01/2026

We’re running a 42-day, 634-mile river trip in 2027! This expedition will retrace the historic Powell expedition, launching below Flaming Gorge Dam and culminating with a trip through the entire Grand Canyon. The trip will pass through Dinosaur National Monument, the Desolation Canyon wilderness, Canyonlands National Park, take a scenic flight over Lake Powell, and continue floating through Grand Canyon National Park.

Building on the success of the original 28-day retrace launched in 2019 for the 150th anniversary of Powell’s famed 1869 expedition, the new 42-day adventure stands alone as the most ambitious river expedition offered by a single commercial outfitter.

Learn more > https://www.oars.com/adventures/j-w-powell-retrace/

05/29/2026

This is your sign to unplug and join us on a multi-day river trip.

05/27/2026

Spring weather can be unpredictable!

Early season trips mean high water fun, but can also mean colder and wetter weather. You’ll need to dress for the occasion. While cotton is an absolute no-go, we recommend layering with synthetic base layers, wool or neoprene socks, wetsuits, splash jackets or rain gear, and having an extra dry layer on hand just in case.

Check out our full blog post for more details and specific gear recommendations! 🔗 Link in profile.

05/25/2026

Our annual Yampa River Awareness Project Trip with American Rivers and Friends of the Yampa just wrapped up!

The Yampa is a unique and beautiful desert river ecosystem, and we’re honored to work with these organizations every year to help facilitate this conservation oriented river trip.

This trip brings together a diverse group of key stakeholders—from water managers and agricultural planners to policy experts and politicians—to discuss issues facing the Colorado River Basin, and its largest free-flowing tributary (the Yampa), with the goal of advancing effective conservation solutions. It never ceases to amaze us how sharing space on a wild river can bring people together!

Photos by Steamboat Powdercats

05/22/2026

Don’t worry, we always have plenty of groovers…

🎥

05/21/2026

If you’re heading to Flagstaff before setting out on a Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trip with us, here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in this spirited and adventurous mountain town.

Discover the ultimate 24-hour Flagstaff itinerary filled with local food, downtown hot spots, and outdoor adventure.

05/20/2026

Veteran OARS guide shows us how to row a beautiful line in Hermit Rapid.

Dories are known for their hyper-responsive handling. These boats require a certain amount of finesse, combined with an intimate knowledge of the river to row them gracefully.

Cindell uses the first river-left lateral wave to redirect her boat’s momentum towards the right side of the river. This entrance move sets her up to hit the 5th wave (the BIG one) in the perfect spot. After a big hit in 5, her rightward momentum helps her avoid the nasty 10th wave.

Video:

05/18/2026

What happens when a dory flips?

The common rafting saying “rig to flip” applies to dories as much as rafts. While the watertight decking found on whitewater dories keeps the cargo safe and dry, guides always rig flip lines to help get the boat right-side-up as fast as possible.

Follow along frame-by-frame as OARS Idaho guides work together to right an upside dory on a training trip!

Photos:

05/14/2026

The Green River is having its moment. 🌊 Find out why the "emerald gem" of the Colorado River System is among the top places in the West for rafting this season.

Find out why Utah's Green River is among the top choices for rafting in 2026 thanks to reliable water releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

05/13/2026

Our Dino crew caught Disaster Falls in Gates of Lodore at 8,500 cfs last week on a training trip. Looks a little spicy in there! 🌊

While we won’t see flows this high as our trips get underway, the Green River is poised to be among the top rafting destinations in the West this summer thanks to federally-mandated water releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

Our latest blog dives into what kind of flows we’re expecting and why this is the year to raft the “emerald gem” of the Colorado River System. Read it in the comments below.

🎥: .yeti.hamann