Just back from our 6 day adults only rafting adventure through Cataract Canyon. Can't say enough about the guides that led our trip- here's a GIANT shout out to Dave, Adam, Quigg, Tony, Ernie & Nate - the Dream team of rafting guides! The food was delicious and plentiful. The daily hikes were totally manageable despite temps over 100. The guides gave informative talks about the geology and cultural history of our surroundings. The beauty and variety of the rock formations along the canyons is breathtaking and majestic. As far as the water adventure, the guides prepared us for the rapids, what to expect and how to assist in any rescues in the event that individuals ended up in the water. As a result, we worked as a team and plucked some brave kayakers out of the water without a hitch. Overall, the river was a bit lower than what we had hoped for - about 12,000 cfs, but this was fine as I wasn't hoping to be an "involuntary white water swimmer" . The first two days were relaxing and allowed us all to take turns trying out the different water crafts including the dories, paddle rafts, paddle boards and kayaks. It was in this time that our group from around the country with such varied backgrounds began to make connections. The rapids were a blast, super exhilarating and the water was warm. By the end, we were truly a tribe and many of us felt a bit teary in saying our goodbyes. It was an epic vacation and I cant recommend this enough. If you have any hesitations, talk to the team and they will help you work through your concerns. I am SO happy to have experienced this adventure and have made a few lasting connections with new friends. read more

I wanted to celebrate my 65th birthday in a special way and the four day rafting trip down the Green River through the Gates of Lodore still makes me smile. Our group ages ranged from 10 to 70. Some were young and fit; others were not but we quickly bonded and cared about each other. Joelle, our trip leader, along with Deja, Matt, Tony and Bobby were professional, competent, knowledgeable river guides and excellent cooks! They prepared 3 delicious meals a day from fresh ingredients. Their emphasis on safety and hygiene set the tone for a fun, safe trip. The potty was set far away from camp and very private. No worries. If wondering about renting the sleep kit (tent-sleeping pad-sleeping bag, etc) DO IT. The sleep mat was so comfortable and the tent set up fast. I took a waterproof camera but my best photos were from my point and shoot. The trip was well paced. The guides had a low key manner of interaction. There were no scheduled departure times or sense of urgency. We rafted, we paddle boarded, we set up camp and we did something I haven't done in years....we played. We played slip and slide over an inverted raft, we played tug of war with a rope while standing on opposite rocks and we floated with the current. The worries of the world slipped away. The rushing Green River was our nighttime lullaby; the soaring, ancient, colorful walls of the canyon embraced us and we saw millions of stars every night. read more

The Oars Cataract Canyon trip (June 4-7) well exceeded my expectations. I could rave about it for days, but I'll keep this review short and sweet. The guides were confident, entertaining and a jack of all trades. They kept us safe, very well fed and gave us a level of luxury you wouldn't expect when camping for 3 nights. The food served was unbelievable- I wish I could replicate the meals in my own kitchen. You'd expect to have burgers and hotdogs when camping, when instead we were served salmon, asparagus, homemade bfast burritos, chicken curry- I could go on and on about the food. The river/rapids were at a very high level and some guides hadn't experienced this before, my guide included. I was anxiously terrified at the thought of the rapids but our guide, Bross, was more than familiar with the patterns of the waves and different water features. He kept us on our toes but made me feel like I was safe and not in any kind of danger. I appreciated the company of the guides when they'd light us a fire and hang out. Like I mentioned, I could go on and on, but I don't want this review to be overlooked because of length. I don't have one negative thing to say, everything was amazing and I give 5 stars to Oars and especially the guides who took such good care of us. Highly recommend!!! read more

We took a 5-day Desolation Canyon trip with OARS & our guides were the best I've ever seen (& we've rafted a lot). Consummate professionals, our guides were exceptional. Fun, caring, knowledgeable, hard-working & talented, our guides made the trip unforgettable. From the outstanding meals (who knew camp food could be so scumptious & high-end?!) to the painstaking attention they paid to keeping a client with a nut allergy safe, the food has spoiled us for all future trips. Trip leader Deja and her amazing team Dusty, Ally, Addy, Karl & Mishael truly are the best in the business. We raft a lot and these 6 are in a class by themselves. Legitimate geological & historical docents, our family learned so much on the trip. They worked so hard but made it look so easy. Our happiness was their top priority. Organization was great, from the online contact, to our trip meeting the night prior to our trip. Our flight in to the put-in was flawless. As experienced rafters, I truly can't imagine any trip being better than this. I highly recommend OARS for any trip. For sure, we'll be booking another trip with OARS. Great trip for families, singles, retired couples - we had them all on our trip & everyone meshed so well. Thank you OARS! read more

My wife, myself, and two sons (16 and 18) did the Gates of Lodore trip with OARS. From arranging the trip, to the evening before we embarked, OARS kept a steady stream of communication going. We were thoroughly prepared with provisions due to an excellent list provided in our detailed pre-trip package. From our guides to the equipment we used, to the tents we slept in, everything was quality and professional. All eight of our guides were personable, extremely knowledgeable, and cooked some pretty good meals from breakfast right through dinner. Our group consisted of about 25 souls from 7 to 70, in fact the 70 year old was on this trip with his wife as his way to celebrate his birthday. Although the rapids were a little disappointing, the scenery, hikes, and slew of activities made this an ideal trip for any family. The crew were outstanding, in particular Russell and Scotty were a font of information and entertainment. Thanks again guys for a spirited adventure. The Dennisons Nashville , TN read more

My second trip with Oars. First one was the Grand Canyon with my wife. This one was solo. Tremendous trip. Beautiful sights. Great food. Guides were outstanding. Hike to Indian River waterfall was a blast. Hike up to Dolls House and the view from there was amazing. We had fairly high water and I rode in the dory on rapid days which intensified the experience. Dave was our oarsman and he made it look easy. Was impressed with the additional boats Oars brings on rapid days for safety sake. Oars is top notch all around. They excel at every part of the trip from planning to communication, trip operations and even pick-up...it all went without a hitch. Looking forward to another trip soon. read more

Went on a several day float down the Yampa River and it was amazing and that was in large part due to the O.A.R.S. staff. The trip leader, Bruce, managed to run the entire trip like clockwork yet it felt relaxed and enjoyable. Russ got the kitchen and food up and cooked and broken down and cleaned in no time. As a vegetarian I wondered how the food would be - no worries there. Loads of options and a great meal each meal. Getting out on the river is an amazing opportunity and its amplified when you go with guides who know the land, love the land, and take their jobs seriously. Fun, entertaining, and when you gotta go, don't worry, the groover will be in a scenic spot. read more

I just got off a two-day, Westwater Canyon river trip with Dave, Russell, and Addie. I am very pleased with the level of performance from those guides. They are well educated about the river and surrounding geographic areas. They also made a sincere effort to see that we were having a great trip and accommodate us in any way possible. I can't wait to book another trip with Oars and those guides. Oh, and I forget to mention that the Westwater Canyon is so beautiful! We saw bald eagles, ringtail cats, blueherins, Petroglyphs and a historical, old miner's cabin . So, if you're wondering about going on a fun, whitewater trip, yes, you should! read more

I took the Green River trip with my daughter and 2 grandchildren. We had a large group--25--, which concerned me at first. But the group had a nice mix of ages and personalities, the guides still gave everyone personal attention when needed and everything was perfect. Food was great, scenery unbelievable, and everyone could take as much "risk" as he or she wanted. Some were in duckies, some stayed on the big rafts, and some were on the paddle rafts. The guides set up a waterslide by turning over one of the rafts. The hikes were great. We sat around a campfire at night and talked and sang. Everyone shared the beer or wine. read more

This rowing clinic was absolutely amazing. All of the guides -- Molly, Tanner, Tony, Andrew, Erin, Dabeyday (sorry if I butchered the spelling), and Elliot -- were incredible. The experience was truly priceless for me. I still have a lot to learn, but I walked away with so much more knowledge, confidence, and motivation than I had before. I would highly recommend this clinic to anyone looking to improve their skills and grow as a rower. Thank you all again for such a wonderful and memorable experience! read more

My kids and I just returned from a 4 day Bluff to Mexican Hat trip. It was a blast. We are already planning our next adventure with OARS! Dave Garcia, Zack Sam, and Adam Walck were our guides. They provided tons of information throughout the trip. The food was outstanding! Tuna steaks! we had perfectly cooked tuna steaks! Thank you Dave Garcia!! Definitely recommend a trip with this company and if you are lucky you'll get to meet Dave, Zack and or Adam!!! read more

Excellent from start to finish! I was ready to stay for more at the end of the trip! This was my second trip with O.A.R.S. and I would definitely do it again. The guides were all knowledgeable, kind, skilled in the arts of river running and feeding hungry guests! The food was WOW! The beauty and adventure of this trip can not be overestimated!! Go for it - you'll love it! read more

My two sons (12 and 16) and I just got back from an amazing trip down the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon. Our trip leader, "Quigs", and our guides were wonderful: knowledgeable, caring, professional and fun. This was our second trip with OARS and we can't wait until our next one. read more

I wish I could give more stars! I originally picked this rafting company so I would not have to pack a lunch for our family of four. It was worth it and would highly recommend. The food was good and all the guides were very patient with my children while they learned to paddle. read more