National Park Adventures
Extraordinary National Park Adventures with OARS
Our national parks are more popular than ever, but the majority of 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 55-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, without sacrificing comfort.
Your national park adventure begins here
- Conquer a Bucket List Grand Canyon Rafting or Dory Trip
- Explore the Heart of Canyonlands by River
- Embark on a Yosemite rafting adventure
- Float through Millions of Years of History in Dinosaur National Monument
1. Grand Canyon National Park
We know as well as anyone that a Grand Canyon rafting trip down the Colorado River is the ultimate bucket list national park adventure. In 1969, OARS was honored to be selected by the National Park Service as the first exclusively oar-powered rafting outfitter authorized to run guided river trips in Grand Canyon National Park. Later, in 1988, legendary environmentalist Martin Litton selected OARS to carry on his legacy of running top-notch dory trips in Grand Canyon. OARS now offers 16 different Grand Canyon rafting and dory itineraries ranging from 5-day Grand Canyon raft & ranch tours from Las Vegas to 18-day full canyon expeditions.
2. Canyonlands National Park
Nestled outside Moab, Utah, Canyonlands National Park is a surreal landscape boasting towering spires, sheer red rock walls, and winding, convoluted canyons. Its best-kept secret? The mighty rivers carving through its core. The Green and Colorado Rivers merge together in the park, offering rafters scenic floating, world-class whitewater and incredible access to remote regions like the Needles and Maze Districts.
OARS offers a variety of Canyonlands National Park adventures, from classic 4- or 6-day Colorado River rafting trips through Cataract Canyon to more active Stillwater & Cataract Canyon Hiker trips. You can also tailor your experience—learn about astronomy and stargaze in an International Dark Sky Park on a Stars & Guitars trip or embrace mindfulness on a Yoga & Wellness departure.
Plan Your Canyonlands Adventure
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is regularly among the top five most-visited national parks each year, so it’s essential to plan your trip well in advance. But deciding where to go and what to do—beyond Yosemite Valley—can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the planning for you. Check out our expertly-curated Yosemite itinerary for insider tips and suggestions on what to do. We also offer a chance to explore Yosemite’s wilder side, including whitewater rafting on the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, which flow from the park’s high country. These unforgettable Yosemite rafting trips are the perfect spring or summer add-on to your national park adventure.
4. Dinosaur National Monument
At Dinosaur National Monument, touch 149-million-year-old fossils at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, walk in a Stegosaurus’ footsteps, and marvel at the night sky in this International Dark Sky Park. But the true wonder lies in the Green and Yampa Rivers, which carve breathtaking canyons and converge at Echo Park in the heart of the monument. Among the best whitewater rafting trips in the U.S., they offer a journey through unspoiled wilderness, stunning geology, archaeological sites, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife—all from the vantage point of a raft.
From 1-day Split Mountain rafting trips and multi-day Gates of Lodore trips on the Green River to 5-day Yampa River rafting trips, OARS offers several unique ways for first-time and experienced paddlers alike to experience the splendor of Dinosaur National Monument.
OARS is an authorized concessioner of Canyonlands and Grand Canyon National Parks, an authorized concessioner in Dinosaur National Monument and operates by special permit in Yosemite National Park.
In our opinion, OARS is the best float company in the Canyon. Pre-trip advice and preparation is really helpful. Their equipment is top-notch and they are a team of excellent boatman and guides who love the canyon and want to share it with everyone.
Tom & Peg Grand Canyon Rafting: Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferrry Guests
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