Our adult-only adventures are the perfect way to enjoy a stress-free vacation where you get to kick back, relax, and unwind without having to listen to other people’s children (or even your own). Spend your days running exciting rapids and enjoying riverside picnic lunches, perhaps playing a quick game of frisbee or basking in the sun on the shore. As you make your way towards camp, you’ll get to stop and explore all the Tuolumne has to offer, with hikes to waterfalls, swimming holes, and natural waterslides.

At camp, enjoy an excellent meal prepared by your guides–think salmon, steak, or dutch oven lasagna–and get to know your new river comrades, enjoying your favorite beverage. You may decide to partake in some river games, such as bocce or horseshoes, or you may unwind by doing a little fishing from the beach. Tonight, you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber as the river sings you to sleep, and awaken the next morning ready for a hearty breakfast and another day of kid-free fun.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post All Adult Adventure on the Tuolumne River – 2 Days appeared first on OARS.

Our adult-only adventures are the perfect way to enjoy a stress-free vacation where you get to kick back, relax, and unwind without having to listen to other people’s children (or even your own). Spend your days running exciting rapids and enjoying riverside picnic lunches, perhaps playing a quick game of frisbee or basking in the sun on the shore.  As you head towards camp each day, you’ll get to stop and explore all that Cataract Canyon has to offer, with hikes to ancestral Puebloan structures, refreshing waterfalls, and vistas with unforgettable views.

At camp, enjoy excellent meals prepared by your guides–think Greek chicken with balsamic glaze, green curry shrimp and vegetables, or chicken tikka masala–and get to know your new river comrades, enjoying your favorite beverage. You may join in on a game of bocce or horseshoes. Each night, you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber as the river sings you to sleep, and awaken each morning ready for a hearty breakfast and another day of kid-free fun.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post All Adult Adventure through Cataract Canyon – 4 Days appeared first on OARS.

Our adult-only adventures are the perfect way to enjoy a stress-free vacation where you get to kick back, relax, and unwind without having to listen to other people’s children (or even your own). Spend your days running fun rapids and enjoying riverside picnic lunches, perhaps playing a quick game of frisbee or basking in the sun on the shore. As you make your way towards camp each day, you’ll get to stop and explore all the San Juan River has to offer, with opportunities to visit Native American cliff dwellings, visit a number of geological wonders, or try your hand at an inflatable kayak through Class I-II rapids, perfect for beginners.

At camp, enjoy excellent meals prepared by your guides–think Greek chicken with balsamic glaze, green curry shrimp and vegetables, or chicken tikka masala–and get to know your new river comrades, enjoying your favorite beverage. You may join in on a lively game of Bocce ball. Each night, you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber as the river sings you to sleep, and awaken each morning ready for a hearty breakfast and another day of kid-free fun.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post All Adult Adventure on the San Juan River – 4 Days appeared first on OARS.

Elliott Lips is a licensed professional geologist with over 40 years of experience in engineering geology and geomorphology in the western United States. He has conducted research, consulted, taught university classes, and provided expert witness testimony on geologic hazards, engineering geology, dam evaluations, climate change, and natural resource management. Elliott began guiding river trips on the Colorado River system 50 years ago and was a part-time guide for OARS for 15 years on the Yampa River, Green River through the Gates of Lodore, and the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon. He is passionate about sharing his love of rivers and geology with other people.

About This Trip

Dinosaur National Monument – the name alone conjures a host of images: dinosaur bones preserved in ancient rock walls, deep rivers that cut indecorously through desert canyons, ancient sea beds full of prehistoric fossils frozen in time.

As you descend the Yampa River, you have the fascinating experience of actually traveling through the canyon’s various layers, each one representing an entire age of the earth’s development: the rise and fall of major mountain ranges, the arrival and retreat of oceans at least 12 different times, the alternating development of deserts and swamplands. A billion years are captured in these canyon walls, along with the remnants of various life forms that existed long before humans. Our pathway through time showcases some of the oldest exposed rocks in the world, ones that have been folded, lifted, and split by eons of geological forces.

Besides this fascinating scientific value, the Yampa’s geology is also responsible for the beauty of its canyon home: vertical yellow and red sandstone walls that tower as high as 1000 feet and squeeze the river through a surprisingly narrow gorge, tiger-striped walls alternating in blonde rock and black manganese oxide, clear creeks tumbling out of shady side canyons, sheltering sandstone caves, and more.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post Yampa River Geology Trip – 5 Days appeared first on OARS.

Our adult-only adventures are the perfect way to enjoy a stress-free vacation where you get to kick back, relax, and unwind without having to listen to other people’s children (or even your own). Spend your days running exciting rapids and enjoying riverside picnic lunches, perhaps playing a quick game of frisbee or basking in the sun on the beach.  As you head towards camp each day, you’ll get to stop and explore all the Yampa has to offer, with hikes to historic cabins, Native American pictographs, and endless opportunities to take in geological marvels.

At camp, enjoy excellent meals prepared by your guides–think spaghetti and meatballs, stir fry, or a taco bar–and get to know your new river comrades, enjoying your favorite beverage. You may take an exploratory hike or join in on a jovial game of Kubb. Each night you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber as the river sings you to sleep, and awaken each morning ready for a hearty breakfast and another day of kid-free fun.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post All Adult Adventure on the Yampa River – 4 Days appeared first on OARS.

Our adult-only adventures are the perfect way to enjoy a stress-free vacation where you get to kick back, relax, and unwind without having to listen to other people’s children (or even your own). Spend your days running exciting rapids and enjoying riverside picnic lunches, perhaps playing a quick game of frisbee or basking in the sun on the shore.  As you head towards camp each day, you’ll get to stop and explore all that Cataract Canyon has to offer, with hikes to ancestral Puebloan structures, refreshing waterfalls, and vistas with unforgettable views.

At camp, enjoy excellent meals prepared by your guides–think Greek chicken with balsamic glaze, green curry shrimp and vegetables, or chicken tikka masala–and get to know your new river comrades, enjoying your favorite beverage. You may join in on a game of Bocce ball or horseshoes. Each night you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber as the river sings you to sleep, and awaken each morning ready for a hearty breakfast and another day of kid-free fun.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post All Adult Adventure through Cataract Canyon – 6 Days appeared first on OARS.

Our adult-only adventures are the perfect way to enjoy a stress-free vacation where you get to kick back, relax, and unwind without having to listen to other people’s children (or even your own). Spend your days running exciting rapids and enjoying riverside picnic lunches, perhaps playing a quick game of frisbee or basking in the sun on the shore.  As you head towards camp each day, you’ll get to stop and explore all that Cataract Canyon has to offer, with hikes to ancestral Puebloan structures, refreshing waterfalls, and vistas with unforgettable views.

At camp, enjoy excellent meals prepared by your guides–think Greek chicken with balsamic glaze, green curry shrimp and vegetables, or chicken tikka masala–and get to know your new river comrades, enjoying your favorite beverage. You may join in on a game of Bocce ball or horseshoes. Each night you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber as the river sings you to sleep, and awaken each morning ready for a hearty breakfast and another day of kid-free fun.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post All Adult Adventure through Cataract Canyon – 4 Days appeared first on OARS.

Zac Williams is a second-generation river guide and a graduate of Utah State in Geology. He brings his passion for river guiding and his love of teaching geology to our Yampa River Geology trip in Dinosaur National Monument. For Zac, looking at geological formations is like reading a history book of the planet, each rock telling its own story. “Geology has inspired me to see the world differently. Every trip down the Yampa feels like a journey into the past—both in the geologic and personal sense. It’s where my parents met and where some of my greatest life memories were formed.”

About This Trip

Dinosaur National Monument – the name alone conjures a host of images: dinosaur bones preserved in ancient rock walls, deep rivers that cut indecorously through desert canyons, ancient sea beds full of prehistoric fossils frozen in time.

As you descend the Yampa River, you have the fascinating experience of actually traveling through the canyon’s various layers, each one representing an entire age of the earth’s development: the rise and fall of major mountain ranges, the arrival and retreat of oceans at least 12 different times, the alternating development of deserts and swamplands. A billion years are captured in these canyon walls, along with the remnants of various life forms that existed long before humans. Our pathway through time showcases some of the oldest exposed rocks in the world, ones that have been folded, lifted, and split by eons of geological forces.

Besides this fascinating scientific value, the Yampa’s geology is also responsible for the beauty of its canyon home: vertical yellow and red sandstone walls that tower as high as 1000 feet and squeeze the river through a surprisingly narrow gorge, tiger-striped walls alternating in blonde rock and black manganese oxide, clear creeks tumbling out of shady side canyons, sheltering sandstone caves, and more.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post Yampa River Geology Trip – 5 Days appeared first on OARS.

About This Trip

There’s no shortage of incredible sites and trails hidden along the 95-mile stretch of this Wild and Scenic river. Our Middle Fork of the Salmon River Hiker combines action-packed Class III-IV whitewater with ample opportunities to hop off the rafts and explore this natural wonderland by foot. Loon Creek Hot Springs, Johnson Point, and Marble Creek are just some of the amazing hikes you may get to experience. Wildlife is bountiful in this remote area, and you’ll get the chance to see pictographs, historic homesteads, and scenic overlooks, as well as visit Tukadeka cultural sites as you make your way downstream. Rafting the Middle Fork, you’ll witness remarkable environmental transitions as soft meadows roll towards the base of soaring mountains, and craggy canyons ribboned with waterfalls give way to deep green forests and grassy hills dotted with wildflowers. With an abundance of jaw-dropping scenery and historical locations to marvel at, your days on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River Hiker will astonish and delight.

You’ll pull over at a pristine and picturesque beach each day to make camp. While you set up your tent and settle in for the evening, your guides will get to work on a delicious appetizer, sure to hit the spot after a full day of active fun. They will then start whipping up a meal guaranteed to please any hungry hiker while you hang out in the chair circle and chat with your fellow rafters or perhaps join in on a lively game of frisbee on the beach. There may even be an opportunity to take another hike to continue deepening your understanding and connection to the canyon. Come nightfall, a stunning starry sky provides the perfect backdrop to contemplate the day’s experiences. As the constellations dance above you and the river sings softly, you’ll drift into a peaceful slumber and awaken ready for another day of exploration.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post Middle Fork of the Salmon River Hiker – 6 Days appeared first on OARS.

About This Trip

Our inclusive guide staff for this trip will be members of the LGBTQ+ community, or allies, who will go out of their way to make sure you have an incredible experience, offering support and encouragement to step outside your comfort zone and try new things or rediscover your love for the natural world. You’ll spend your days rafting exciting Class III-IV whitewater, exploring fascinating historical sites, and enjoying remarkable feasts with your fellow rafters. You’ll share stories and form strong bonds with like-minded people who have similar interests and life experiences. But most importantly, amongst the lush forests of the Rogue River, you can be your most authentic self without the fear of judgment.

The “Wild & Scenic” Rogue River offers a quintessential rafting experience through an enchanting wilderness area that will make you think you’ve stepped into a fairytale. As you hike to waterfalls, kayak downstream, and take in the magic of the river corridor, you’ll find yourself in a state of perpetual awe. Each morning you’ll watch the sunrise with a hot cup of cowboy coffee and fall asleep each night under a stunning canopy of stars like you’ve never seen before. When you reach take-out on the final day of the trip, you’ll feel restored and rejuvenated and carry home memories that will stay with you forever.

This trip is intended for adults 18 years & older of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. If you have any questions regarding this or any of our LGBTQ+ trips, don’t hesitate to call us.

TRIP RESOURCES

The post LGBTQ+ Rogue River Rafting Adventure – 4 Days appeared first on OARS.