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The unique row-your-own program is truly one of the best ways to have your own Oregon River Experience. This is a great option for guests who have prior rafting experience and have some basic rowing skills.
The 14 ft cataraft is set up for you to row down the river with a light load of gear to balance out the boat. With room for 1-2 passengers up front, you can choose to share the rowing responsibilities with others in your party or row the whole river.
Our guides will start off with a quick skills check and go over proper downriver procedures. Most of our rivers are class III with some rapids that can be tricky, which makes for a great place to hone those rowing skills. Our guides will give you signals to help navigate each section of rapids, and you’ll learn to use a river map too. For more difficult rapids, we will get out and scout the rapid. In some cases, a guide can row your boat through or ride along.
This is not a pure instruction type of trip. Guests should have basic river running skills in class II+/III+ rivers. Skills should include safe boat control skills, entering and exiting eddies, staying at the group pace, the ability to independently enter/exit the boat, and others.
With our many different river options to row-your-own, there are opportunities to hone your river skills and progress even more. If you’re just trying a new adventure out, then the slower waters of the John Day are a great place to start with class II+ rapids mostly and long sections of calm to work on your technique. The Grande Ronde is the next river to look at with no major rapids, but a much swifter current that gets you used to rowing in quick moving water that requires precise oar strokes.
If it’s time to move into some harder options, the Lower Salmon is a great place to try your skills on a higher volume river but still offers long recovery pools between rapids. The same goes for the early season special of the Owyhee River, which provides a bit more technical rafting than the Lower Salmon. Finally, the Wild & Scenic Rogue is the hardest to row, with its tighter channels, rockier drops, and bigger rapids.
We require a river resume highlighting relevant experience alongside proof of your ability to properly row or previous attendance on an O.R.E. guided tour.
Add a cataract rental onto your O.R.E. trip for $40 per day. This rental is only available for guests who are on an O.R.E. trip.
Yes, this is not an instructional class. Guests should have experience rowing in whitewater. If you are interested in learning to row and don’t have prior experience, we may be available to offer private instruction. Please contact us for private instruction.
No, you can carry as little gear as you want on your boat. We usually advise carrying a few bags or other light gear to help balance out the raft. Our guides will assist you in loading/unloading. Your boat will be ready upon arrival at the boat ramp on day one.
Essentially yes. If you choose to have a row-your-own raft we expect that either you or people in your party will be rowing that boat for the whole trip. Our guides cannot row your boat, as they have gear boats and passenger boats to get downriver. On rare occasions, we can break down a cataraft and stow it for the remainder of the trip.
The Lower Salmon River is the quintessential Pacific Northwest river rafting adventure that is perfect for families with kids. Known as the famous "River of No Return," it is the biggest river O.R.E. runs and many of our clients have said it's our most exciting trip. The river is in the second deepest canyon in North America, is the longest completely free-flowing, undammed river in the lower 48 states, and holds a wealth of history along its storied banks.
The Wild & Scenic Rogue River canyon is an enchanting blend of lush forests, fern grottos, beautiful sandy beaches, sparkling waterfalls, lovely side streams, and cool clear swimming holes. The river boasts 35+ mainly Level III white water rafting rapids over 42 miles, in addition to historical sights, hikes, and peaceful riverside greens. This idyllic white water canyon provides our longest river rafting season from May through September.
Experience rafting and exploring a true wilderness river in Oregon’s Grand Canyon, the Owyhee River. With riverside hot springs, historic ranches, geological wonders, and many other hidden secrets, each journey down this river is a fresh experience for every boater. This is one of Oregon’s finest multi-day trips that truly shows a different side of the state.
The beautiful McKenzie River is located just East of Eugene and is one of our favorite rafting runs in the Willamette Valley. Swift, crystal clear water moves along a tree-lined river bank and is full of fun Class II+ rapids. The area is full of plenty of great camping, hiking, fishing, hot springs, and whitewater to enjoy.
With mellow white water and stunning desert canyons, the Wild & Scenic John Day River trip is our most relaxing multi-day trip. The easy days on the water, wide open beaches for camping, excellent fishing, and room to explore make this perfect for your family's first rafting trip and those wanting to try a new watercraft on a row-your-own cataraft.
Located in the Northeast corner of Oregon, the Wild & Scenic Grande Ronde River is considered to be on the "mild" side with many Class II+ rapids. It makes a great, relaxing whitewater river rafting adventure for the whole family. It journeys through the confluence of the Wallowa and Grande Ronde rivers and is home to forested river banks, high desert scenery, great wildlife, and bird watching, along with abundant fishing opportunities
Experience the allure of the Deschutes River with an easy multi-day rafting trip. Choose from the upper section's thrilling rapids and starlit nights, starting at Warm Springs or Trout Creek and ending at Maupin, or opt for the lower section's serene stretches and dynamic last-day rapids, starting at Buckhollow and concluding at Heritage Landing. Both trips offer stunning canyon views, ample wildlife sightings, and excellent conditions for fishing and swimming in one of the West Coast's premier rivers.
Our office is open 7 days a week during the months of April–October from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are available for reservations and customer support during these hours. During the months of November-March are open Monday through Friday.
Oregon River Experiences offers trips launching from various points across Oregon. Detailed departure information for each river trip can be found on our individual trip pages.
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