Chosen as the first small-raft, oar-powered operator in the Grand Canyon almost 35 years ago, O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) began its operations with distinction -- and has never looked back. The company has grown into the largest and most diverse river company in the West, running the country's most renowned rivers and even branching out into international waters.

And, as a pioneer in the whitewater rafting and adventure industry, O.A.R.S. led the way by offering other adventure offerings as well, putting together the finest multi-sport, family adventures, solo excursions, and specialty trips available today.

Committed to delivering superior personal service, hiring only the best guides, and using the highest-quality, impeccably maintained equipment, O.A.R.S. covers more rivers than any other river company and delivers an extraordinary river adventure -- and so much more.

Although O.A.R.S. began as a whitewater operator -- and is firmly established as one of the finest whitewater and rafting outfitters in the industry -- the company listened to the louder call of the wild and, during the last 35 years, has expanded its offerings to include an impressive array of packages catering to all kinds of adventurous souls.

O.A.R.S. clients choose from itineraries that include sea kayaking, whale watching, snorkeling, biking, hiking, fishing, 4x4 touring, wildlife watching, and, of course, rafting. Trips vary in length from tempting half-day tastes of the great outdoors to multi-week expeditions that immerse guests in exploration and discovery. Every O.A.R.S. guide provides extensive knowledge of each region, which means guests experience the best every region has to offer. Accommodations include camping under the stars, tents, or lodge-based adventures; one option even includes a nightly helicopter trip to a five-star hotel.

 Widely recognized as a pioneer in the adventure industry, O.A.R.S offers more than 30 trips on rivers located throughout the western United States, including Alaska. These rivers offer first-time river runners and experienced professionals alike whitewater rides destined to be treasured and remembered for years.

Idaho
The free-flowing Salmon River is the longest stretch of undammed river in the West, where late spring and early summer runoff turn whitewater rafting into an adventure lover's dream. With the onset of hot, lazy summer days, stretches of the Salmon River slow to a family-friendly rafting pace.

 To commemorate its 35th anniversary, O.A.R.S. expanded its international itineraries, which now include incredible excursions in Central and South America. Like the company's stateside packages, these international trips have undergone extensive review and meet specific criteria, including true wilderness immersion, daily contact with wildlife, varied levels of adventure, environmentally sound operating practices, and the best guides in the region -- all accessible to a wide range of people.

Ecuador
Guests will experience complete cultural immersion on this "anything-but-typical" vacation.  Stellar jungle scenery, whitewater rafting on the Jatunyacu River, exploring ancient Inca ruins and unique lodging are just part of the Ecuador itinerary.

 Often travelers don't pay much attention to how they travel; their minds are on the destination. Not so with O.A.R.S., which takes guests wherever they want to go, by means well worth noticing. The transportation itself becomes part of the adventure. Once again, choice plays a critical role in the O.A.R.S. experience, as guests select from a host of fun and memorable seagoing craft, including the dory (super-sleek descendants of Portuguese fishing boats), oar (piloted by the guide) and paddle (everyone wields a wooden paddle) rafts, and inflatable kayaks.

Click here to find out more about the O.A.R.S. fleet.

We strive to enrich people's lives by providing outstanding adventure experiences. Our goal, since 1969, has been to help people of all ages enjoy the best outdoor experience of their lives. We personally encourage and actively support awareness, deeper appreciation, and preservation of our rivers and natural ecosystems. Our trips are great adventures that emphasize heightened attentiveness to human impact on the environment.

Goals