National Park Adventures

Extraordinary National Park Adventures with OARS

Our national parks are more popular than ever, but here’s the thing…most visitors never go beyond the boardwalks, scenic vistas, and visitor centers. That’s why we invite you to go off the beaten path and experience the magic of some of the U.S. West’s most popular national parks with OARS, including Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Canyonlands, and Dinosaur National Monument. In our 50-plus years offering guided trips in our national parks and beyond, we’ve perfected a number of incredible itineraries that take you away from the crowds and into the heart of these iconic landscapes. All you have to do is show up ready to be awed.

2. Canyonlands National Park

Nestled just outside of Moab, Utah, Canyonlands National Park is a surreal landscape marked by towering spires, sheer red rock walls, and convoluted canyons. But the best-kept secret that flows through Canyonlands is the mighty rivers that pulse through its core. Winding through its deepest stretches, the Green and Colorado Rivers provide a unique opportunity for paddlers and hikers to explore the “road less traveled” through some of the park’s most remote and unforgettable regions, like the Maze District.

OARS offers several Canyonlands National Park adventures ranging from the classic 4- or 6-day Colorado River rafting trip through Cataract Canyon to a more active Stillwater & Cataract Canyon Hiker trip. There’s also the opportunity to cater your Canyonlands rafting trip more to your personal interests, whether you want to learn about astronomy in an International Dark Sky Park on a Stars & Guitars trip or practice mindfulness on your journey with a Yoga & Wellness departure.

4. Dinosaur National Monument

At Dinosaur National Monument, you can put your hands on 149-million-year-old fossils at the famed Quarry Exhibit Hall, follow in the footsteps of Stegosaurus on nearby trails, and marvel at the night sky, which recently earned the monument an International Dark Sky Park status. But it’s the Green and Yampa Rivers that meander deep through the monument’s breathtaking canyons that will leave you truly awe-struck. Both rivers, which converge at Echo Park, are considered among the best whitewater rafting trips in the U.S. They are experiences that offer visitors the chance to step back in time and discover the monument’s unspoiled wilderness, fascinating geology, archeological sites, hidden waterfalls, and abundant wildlife from the coveted vantage point of a raft.

From 1-day Split Mountain rafting trips on a short and fun stretch of the Green River to multi-day river trips ranging from 3 to 5 days on the Yampa River and Green River through the Gates of Lodore, OARS offers several unique ways for first-time and experienced paddlers alike to go off the grid and experience all of the splendor of Dinosaur National Monument.