Grand Canyon Dories

04/07/2026

A low snowpack is setting the stage for a different kind of rafting season out West—but that doesn’t mean you should sit this one out. 🚣

In our just-released 2026 Whitewater Rafting Outlook, OARS Grand Canyon Manager, Lars Haarr, shares that while there are a number of uncertainties surrounding negotiations among the Upper and Lower Basin States about Colorado River allocations, and Lake Powell reservoir levels are at a historical low, Grand Canyon rafting operations are expected to be normal in 2026.

Across the region, our operations managers are seeing similar silver linings. Curious what to expect this season in Grand Canyon and beyond?

Read the full report in the comments.

03/26/2026

Steve Kenney has been an OARS fixture since 2003. For decades, he’s been “scribbling” on scraps of paper tucked into ammo cans and journals between rapids, documenting the highs, the lows, and the colorful characters of the river in his journals.

Those notes have finally flowed together into his first book: Scribblins - Poetry from Mountains, Deserts and Rivers. In his signature, no-nonsense style, Steve shares about the wild and wonderful life of a river guide from the raw adrenaline of the big runs to the serene, quiet moments in between.

📖 You can pre-order his book here: https://www.thethalweg.com/chap.../p/scribblins-steve-kenney

And if you’re in the Flagstaff area, join us for the book release party at our warehouse, along with Whale Foundation and The Thalweg.

📍 Sunday, April 5th | 6-8 PM
OARS Grand Canyon Warehouse
1802 W Kaibab Ln #250, Flagstaff

03/02/2026

"State leaders and water managers should climb into a raft and keep floating downstream until they figure out how to stretch less water further, and how to fund an infrastructure that sustains it."

The Colorado River is running dry. Cooperation is the only way forward, writes Pete McBride.

01/27/2026

12/09/2025

Choosing the right Grand Canyon river trip doesn’t have to be confusing. OARS Grand Canyon Operations Manager, Lars Haarr, breaks down everything you need to know in this short video.

11/25/2025

11/18/2025

🎁 SHOP the OARS SHACK and save 20% of everything through Dec. 7, including this custom-designed Grand Canyon dory tee by OARS guide and artist Camryn Donovan >> https://bit.ly/OARStees

11/12/2025

10/28/2025

Cue the happy screams. 😂 It doesn't more fun than Hermit Rapid.

10/20/2025

What an honor! About Damn Time is a Vimeo Staff Pick. 🎬 Watch the NEW Director's Cut with never-before-seen scenes below!

Amidst the roar of rapids and the serenity of the Grand Canyon, ABOUT DAMN TIME chronicles the journey of trailblazing boatwomen who, guided by legacy and determination,…

10/10/2025

The Dragon Bravo Fire burned more than 140,000 acres on the North Rim this summer, reshaping part of Grand Canyon National Park. 👉 Find out how the fire affected Grand Canyon river trips, what rafters can expect in 2026, and how wildfire season can impact future river trips.

While the Dragon Bravo Fire was extreme, wildfires are a recurring part of the Grand Canyon’s ecosystem, and they can affect river trips.