Recent Press & Articles

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

OARS has been routinely recognized for our commitment to excellence and innovation in travel. In 2006 President and Founder, George Wendt was honored by the Adventure Travel Trade Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award and National Geographic Adventure magazine selected OARS as “The Best River & Sea Outfitter on Earth” for consecutive years based on education, sustainability, quality of service, spirit of adventure and references. In 2013 Outside magazine named OARS runner up for “Best Outfitter” in its annual Active Travel Awards.

Since 2007, Condé Nast Traveler’s Wendy Perrin has recognized our Reservations Manager, Mindy Gleason, as the “Top Travel Specialist” in the River Rafting category for her unique ability to offer OARS travelers “the best blend of expertise, access, and good value.” In 2012, Condé Nast Traveler also selected OARS’ Grand Canyon trip as one of the “Best 32 Trips in the World.” Additionally, year after year magazines such as National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Men’s Journal and Sunset along withNBC, CNBC, Forbes Traveler and SmarterTravel.com have all recognized OARS for serving up some of the “Best Trips on the Planet.”

OARS was also selected as the official outfitter for MacGillivray Freeman’s Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk, a film for IMAX and IMAX 3D theaters. Featuring songs and music by the Dave Matthews Band and a 3D experience unmatched on the giant screen, Grand Canyon Adventure premiered on March 14, 2008 at IMAX theaters worldwide. Click here to view the film trailer.

More recently, Outside Television has featured OARS’ Middle Fork of the Salmon and Grand Canyon trips on their hit series, “Dispatches,” while NBC selected our Tuolumne Wine on the River trip as “Best Wine Country Adventure” on the nationally-syndicated series, “In Wine Country.”

A selection of recent articles appears below.