MT Sobek & OARS

MT Sobek is promoting select OARS rafting expeditions because OARS is a trusted partner with deep roots that converge with our own river-running history. The two companies began working together in Angels Camp, California, in the 1970s, when Sobek Expeditions operated from the OARS office and the teams collaborated on pioneering international river expeditions, including many first descents around the world. Today, OARS is one of the most respected rafting outfitters in the American West, with more than five decades of experience on iconic rivers including the Colorado, Salmon, Green, Yampa, and Rogue. By showcasing select OARS expeditions, we are able to offer our guests additional river adventures with an outfitter that shares our long-standing commitment to expert guiding, wild places, and meaningful adventure.

OARS has been guiding river adventures since 1969 (the same year MT Sobek started) and has earned a reputation as one of the most experienced rafting outfitters in the American West. Their trips combine professional guides, small groups, low guest-to-guide ratios, high-quality equipment, and access to an exceptional collection of river-running permits. Just as importantly, an OARS trip is about having the full experience of the river versus just covering miles. The family-owned company specializes in human-powered, non-motorized rafting, creating more natural journeys with time for side-canyon hikes, riverside camps, great meals, and immersion in the landscapes along the way. More than 70% of OARS travelers each year are repeat guests or referrals from past guests, and its adventures have received recognition from publications including Outside, National Geographic Adventure, and Sunset.

Rafting is in MT Sobek’s DNA. Sobek Expeditions was founded in 1973 by pioneering river explorers who went on to make first descents of more than 40 of the world’s great rivers, establishing a river-running legacy that continues today. MT Sobek’s current rafting adventures range from Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon to remote wilderness rivers in Alaska and the Yukon, pairing exceptional waterways with experienced professional guides, meticulously planned logistics, wonderful riverside camps, and delicious meals. Whether you’re a first-time rafter or an experienced paddler, you’ll experience the river with a company that has helped pioneer adventure travel for more than five decades. More than 70% of MT Sobek travelers each year are repeat guests, and our adventures have earned awards from major publications including USA Today, Newsweek, and Men’s Journal.

Modern commercial adventure travel in the United States began taking shape in the late 1960s and 1970s, when a small group of outfitters began making activities like whitewater rafting, wilderness exploration, international trekking, and expedition travel accessible to everyday travelers. Among the early pioneers were Mountain Travel, founded in 1969 by Leo Le Bon, Allen Steck, and Barry Bishop; OARS, founded by river-running pioneer George Wendt in 1969; and Sobek Expeditions, founded in 1973 by Richard Bangs, John Yost, and Lew Greenwald. Mountain Travel and Sobek later merged to become MT Sobek. Together with other early outfitters and outdoor organizations, these companies helped establish many of the principles and experiences that define adventure travel today.

MT Sobek and OARS multi-day rafting expeditions include professional river guides, meals on the river, high-quality rafts and essential river equipment, including personal flotation devices, helmets, waterproof gear bags, tents, camp chairs, and dining equipment. Most trips also include transportation between the designated meeting point and the river. At camp, guides handle the kitchen and prepare hearty meals while guests settle into riverside camps. Exact inclusions vary by itinerary—sleeping bags, pads, park or access fees, pre- and post-trip lodging, gratuities, and travel insurance may not be included. Guests should review the specific trip details before departure.

The United States boasts some of the world’s great rafting destinations, ranging from multi-day wilderness expeditions to high-adrenaline, single-day whitewater. Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River is a standout for nearly continuous whitewater, hot springs, wildlife, and remote wilderness, while the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon offers an iconic combination of huge canyon scenery, powerful rapids, side hikes, and riverside camping. Utah’s Cataract Canyon and Gates of Lodore, Oregon’s Rogue River, California’s Tuolumne and American Rivers, Colorado’s Arkansas River, and West Virginia’s Gauley River are also among America’s classic rafting destinations. For travelers seeking a more expedition-style experience, Alaska is in a category of its own, with remote rivers flowing through vast wilderness, glaciated mountains, and extraordinary wildlife habitat. Ultimately, the best rafting destination depends on whether you prioritize challenging whitewater, wilderness and scenery, family-friendly rafting, or a long multi-day river journey.