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The Oregon River Experience Fleet

O.R.E. trips employ a wide range of sporty, comfortable, professional grade water craft. Our guests can choose a guided oar raft, guided paddle raft, row-it-yourself cataraft, one or two person inflatable kayak, stand-up paddle board, or a combination of these options.

All O.R.E. trips are accompanied by professional guides. A guide is present in each boat, except as noted below.

Guided Oar Rafts

Guided oar rafts are standard on all our multi-day trips and available by request on day trips. They’re the boat to choose if comfort, safety, relaxation, and sightseeing are your primary interests. (1 to 5 guests plus guide per oar raft; your guide does all the rowing.)

Row-your-own Cataraft

"Row-your-own" catarafts are small and lively. They’re the boat to choose if you’re looking for excitement, freedom and a sense of accomplishment combined with a high degree of comfort. A rental fee applies to all row-your-own catarafts: see our rental gear page for details. (1 to 3 guests per cataraft. O.R.E. guides provide instruction and supervision but are not present in the boat with you.)

Prior rafting experience is highly recommended (i.e. in paddle rafts or guided oar rafts). We also recommend either prior rowing experience or a moderately high level of physical fitness. But you do not need to be a daredevil - or a super athlete - to pilot your own cataraft under our supervision.

We outfit you and a boat partner with one of our custom designed craft, rigged with frame and oars. We provide coaching and encouragement, and while your guides lead the way you float "follow the leader" style down the river. You trade off rowing with your boat partner and have ample time to relax, take pictures, or take in the passing scenery. Oregon River Experiences pioneered row-your-own river vacations. This is the ultimate "hands-on" rafting adventure.

Row-your-own catarafts are available on most of our multi-day trips. Availability is dependent upon water levels.

Paddle Rafts

Paddle Rafts are standard on all our day trips, and available by request on multi-day trips. These popular craft mix whitewater excitement with teamwork and fellowship. (4-7 guests plus a guide; everyone gets to paddle.)

Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable Kayaks are small, highly maneuverable one-person or two-person craft. They’re fast and exciting but also surprisingly stable. We provide inflatable kayaks for use on a shared basis on all our multi-day trips, water levels permitting. (O.R.E. guides provide instruction and supervision.)

Kayaks may be reserved for exclusive personal use by special arrangement only.  A rental fee applies to kayaks reserved for exclusive personal use: see our rental gear page for details.

Stand-up Paddle Boards

We bring one or two Stand-up Paddle Boards (SUPs) on our Rogue, Salmon and John Day River trips (water levels permitting). The boards are fun to paddle, and are a great thing to try if you are looking for something new. You don't need much whitewater to have a great time with a SUP. For safety we allow their use in flat water and selected small rapids only, but trust us, they're plenty exciting even when the river is mild!