By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. At high flows they form a river-wide hole* that is hard to miss. Destinations. INDIA & LOWER INDIA (IV) There are two short chutes separated by a small pool. They were a lot of fun and VERY hard working. Just a great trip.”, “The guides were well informed on how to relate to customers at all levels of experience. He was well informed on everything riparian, from local river issues to legends and even some salty river guide jokes. Cold drinks and a return shuttle to your vehicle await at the take-out of your OARS Tuolumne River rafting trip. Be on the lookout for artifacts, and practice proper Leave No Trace etiquette:  leave historical artifacts where you find them. Aug 18, 2020 - The California whitewater rafting guide: Featuring info on 16 unique California whitewater rafting itineraries on nine different rivers. How OARS makes river rafting safe during COVID-19. You simply cannot go wrong going rafting anywhere with OARS and if you've visited Yosemite without rafting the Tuolumne River with O.A.R.S., you've missed an incredible opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful and exciting places on earth. Class IV rapids (Class V possible in May and June); cold water with moderate to high flip/swim potential. Zephyr Whitewater Rafting. oars.com Social but Distanced | OARS Writer Adam Edwards heads out on a Rogue River rafting trip to explore why wilderness vacations are more important than ever in the COVID Era. It felt luxurious to have all meals taken care of! This is the Yosemite adventure you didn’t know you were missing out on. Be on the lookout for poison oak. Go on a 1-day rafting trip on the Merced River, or experience a 1- to 3-day rafting adventure on the Tuolumne River near the West Edge of Yosemite National Park. HACKAMACK HOLE (IV) There is a sharp drop divided by two big rocks near the center at low flows. I felt he was looking out for both my health and safety therefore I could relax and totally enjoy the trip. Privacy Notice: Our site uses cookies for advertising, analytics and to improve our site and services. SUNDERLAND’S CHUTE (IV+). OARS Wet and Wild Whitewater Rafting Adventures Just Outside of Yosemite. EVANGELIST (IV) The river bends right into a series of short drops with a big rock/hole right of center. Raft, hike and explore California's scenic Sierra Nevada on this action-packed Yosemite road trip. Plus California Whitewater Guide School. Hop in a raft and get a break from the crowds in Yosemite Valley on the Tuolumne river with OARS. The best thing about OARS are your guides – I have a lot of confidence in their experience and ability and that makes me feel secure about taking a trip on a river like the Tuolumne.”, “Our raft guide (Billy) was the best part of the trip. 1-800-346-6277 7 am - 5 pm pst; Request a catalog It's FREE; About. Apparently, she was the first female to run this river. They were engaging, and in the normal course of getting to know us, our likes/dislikes, they tailored the excursion, the meals and everything else. Book Now. There are two campsites on river left near this rapid. My group is a bunch of mid-twenty year old men and they accommodated our unique style of fun to perfection. Operated by our outfitting partner, New Headings, you'll find a unique collection of "just the right things." Go on a 1-day rafting trip on the Merced River, or experience a 1- to 3-day rafting adventure on the Tuolumne River near the West Edge of Yosemite National Park There is a “Chicken Chute” on river left, but only the truly adventurous have been known to “thread the needle” between the rocks in the center. Then, in May 1903, Muir took President Theodore Roosevelt on a three-day camping trip near Glacier Point and convinced him to create a federal park. I’ve been highly recommending to as many people who will listen about the great experience I had with OARS”, “The guides that were with our trip were amazing. Overall, the level of service was very high. oarsvideo. California River Rafting Near Yosemite and Sequoia . Destroyed by flood in 1937, this powerhouse originally provided electricity for miners early in the century. Small campsites can be found on either side of Clavey Falls, the biggest rapid on your Tuolumne River whitewater rafting adventure. We were the first outfitter on the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers and the pioneer in Class V commercial rafting on Cherry Creek!Founded in 1965, Sierra Mac is a locally based, family-owned business. ADA Rafters. 3-Day Wine on the River: August 20, Save 25% on our Tuolumne 1-Day adventures when you book online by February 28th using promo code: CTA2125, O.A.R.S. CLAVEY FALLS (IV+) This rapid is one of the reasons the Tuolumne River is considered the jewel of California whitewater rafting. Articles. This is a seasonal activity in spring and early summer only. Big Creek enters from the left, where there is a large, unshaded campsite. Tin Can Cabin. Hop on a 1-day Wild & Scenic Merced River rafting trip just outside of the park and you’ll be in for a wild ride through rollercoaster rapids, super fun wave trains and beautiful Sierra scenery. As the first exclusively non-motorized outfitter authorized by the National Park Service to run rafting trips in the Grand Canyon, OARS helped pioneer whitewater rafting in the Western U.S. And since we first got started in 1969, we have guided more than 500,000 guests on rivers all over the world. CABIN (IV) There is a big hole just below the entrance to this rapid. You can experience all of the excitement in one day, but when you opt for a 2- or 3-day trip you’ll also have the chance to hike up to secret swim holes, kick back in camp with friends and family, and sleep under the stars in a secluded river canyon away from the park crowds. Wetsuits are required and included free of charge on all early-season (pre-June 1st) and high water trips. Note: Even an “easier” trip can become “challenging”due to weather, water level, or your personal choice of boat and/or hiking options. I enjoyed everything on the trip. We are happy to welcome you to the New Headings, the single best place to gear up for your OARS River Adventure. OARS, which was founded more than half a century ago, is one of the most respected rafting companies in the … GRAY’S GRINDSTONE (IV) Gray’s Grindstone, one of the longest rapids on your Tuolumne River whitewater rafting trip, is over one-half mile long. If you want an amped up experience full of huge wave trains, make sure to go in early spring during peak snowmelt which typically lasts until mid-June. © 1969 - 2020 OARS Companies Inc. All rights reserved. The rafting was phenomenal – lots of challenging but doable rapids, lots of time for side trips and taking it easy as necessary, lots of exceptional food and drink. Zephyr Whitewater Rafting. 1 Thank dvmspike . Beat the heat with a whitewater rafting trip with a company like OARS. How sturdy does the raft have to be? At medium and high flows the boulder creates a powerful spouting hole. OARS Wet and Wild Whitewater Rafting Adventures Just Outside of Yosemite. I had a great time and am very thankful for my OARS experience.”, “Both the OARS staff and the other “guests” were great. Today, OARS is proud to carry on the legacy of Don Hatch River Expeditions and a tradition of quality Utah rafting adventures. OARS is proud to be an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and a permitted outfitter under the National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. & receive a free New Era OARS T-shirt with an order of $100.00 or more! A Tuolumne rafting trip works perfectly into a California vacation to San Francisco, Napa Valley and the California coast. OARS, which was founded more than half a century ago, is one of the most respected rafting companies in the … My friends and I will definitely be back and will go in with the best expectations. The Tuolumne River is stocked by the California Department of Fish and Game with salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout. They informed us well with everything from safety precautions to having a good time. Report . Pronounced “too-all-uh-me,” and affectionately referred to as “the T,” we have chosen it as one of our “Seven Whitewater Wonders” of the World. It’s the ultimate Yosemite adventure, minus the hassle of having to figure out all of the logistics. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park allows for whitewater adventures seven months a year. Options abound here. . Yosemite Trips | OARS OARS is proud to be a licensed commercial permit holder in Yosemite National Park, offering guided hiking tours and whitewater rafting near Yosemite. Looking for an all-encompassing Yosemite National Park vacation? The Yosemite rafting season varies from year to year and depends on factors such as the depth of the rivers, the temperature of the water and the seasonal snowmelt. OARS - Yosemite whitewater trips (800) 346-6277 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ OARS offers incredible family rafting adventures on the Merced & Tuolumne Rivers. Jan 25, 2017 - Raft the Tuolumne or Merced River just outside Yosemite National Park or combine whiteater rafting and guided hiking in the park with OARS. Go on a 1-day rafting trip on the Merced River, or experience a 1- to 3-day rafting adventure on the Tuolumne River near the West Edge of Yosemite National Park. The guide communication, safety catamaran, hand signals and rapid scouting made me feel at ease and able to enjoy the rapids knowing if trouble happened, we were covered. OARS offers whitewater adventure trips on the Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park seven months a year. Articles. Everyone’s temp was checked every day of the trip thereafter. The river’s gradient here is 80 feet per mile. There is a very large hole across the left half of the river just prior to the second drop. OARS trip options include 1-, 2- or 3-day trips from big water in the spring to award-winning “Wine on the River” trips throughout the season. With a good snowpack year, the season can last anywhere from the middle of July to the end of August. Your Tuolumne River whitewater rafting experience is not always about the whitewater. Would something like a $37 Intex Explorer 200 be safe or is it too flimsy? Access to the Hamby Trail is found on river left. It is often fun to camp here and anticipate throughout the night your upcoming ride through Clavey Falls Rapid. My wife and I, along with 2 other couples with whom we are great friends, decided to book a 3 day trip with OARS for their Tuolumne rafting trip over the weekend of Aug 26-28, 2016. There are still remnants of old mining equipment found on river left. Sierra Mac specializes in Tuolumne River Rafting, Merced River Rafting and Yosemite Rafting Trips. Go on a 1-day rafting trip on the Merced River, or experience a 1- to 3-day rafting adventure on the Tuolumne River near the West Edge of Yosemite National Park These unique trips combine several days of guided hiking on the park’s iconic trails like Upper Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Clouds Rest with whitewater rafting on the nearby Merced and Tuolumne Rivers. If you want to escape the crowds for a day or two or have extra time to spend in the area, consider adding a rafting trip on the Merced River to your Yosemite National Park vacation. We particularly enjoyed the hikes to local swimming holes. OARS Wet and Wild Whitewater Rafting Adventures Just Outside of Yosemite. OARS California Rafting: Yosemite hiking and Tuolumne rafting adventure - See 122 traveller reviews, 62 candid photos, and great deals for Angels Camp, CA, at Tripadvisor. Book Now. It is a fun, wild ride at higher flows. Rafting adventure trips near Yosemite National Park. This California road trip takes you from Lake Tahoe to the raging waterfalls of Yosemite and back. For more information, including how to change your settings, see our privacy policy. The food was excellent.”, “All of the Guides were exceptional. West, Inc. holds Transportation Charter Permits (TCP0022913 - C and TCP0022913 – A) with the California Public Utilities Commission. Our recommendations have already landed three other groups to either take a trip or reserve a trip. Go on a 1-day rafting trip on the Merced River, or experience a 1- to 3-day rafting adventure on the Tuolumne River near the West Edge of Yosemite National Park This Wild and Scenic River crashes down from the High Sierra peaks in Yosemite to provide rafters with an 18-mile stretch of nearly non-stop, white-knuckle Class III-IV whitewater. For a day trip, go with OARS down the Merced River, a fun, rollercoaster of rapids with a break for lunch. Combine an incredibly scenic road trip with whitewater rafting. Rafting the Tuolumne with OARS. There are several mines up the gully on the left where it is possible to find mining artifacts. La Casa Loma River Store, 8 miles east of Groveland on Hwy 120 (At the intersection of Hwy 120 & Ferretti Road). See more ideas about whitewater rafting, whitewater, rafting. is the most experienced outfitter in California and offers whitewater rafting for all ages, just a short drive of the Bay Area. “I was SO happy with your safety protocol and standards. Be on the lookout for remnants of a steam engine on river right. They couldn’t have been better. Essential Eligibility Criteria for River Trips, Essential Eligibility Criteria for Sea Kayaking Trips, Essential Eligibility Criteria for Hiking Trips, What River Guides Love About the Off-season, 6 of the West’s Best Swimming Holes You Can’t Get to by Car, How to #RecreateResponsibly This Summer and Beyond, How to Choose the Right Mask for River Trips, San Francisco Magazine | July 2013: Adrenaline Rush – With Craft Beer, Outside | April 2013: 2013 Outside Travel Awards – Best Outfitter Runner-Up: OARS, LA Times | February 2010: After the Storms, River Rafters Itch For Spring, 18 miles of continuous Class IV Tuolumne River whitewater rafting, Near Yosemite and an easy drive from San Francisco & Sacramento, 1-, 2- and 3-day rafting trips available in a Wild & Scenic river canyon, Wine on the River & Craft Beer Tasting trips available, Camp, hike, play bocce ball or horseshoes, swim, explore creeks & waterfalls, $8 per person per day federal, state and local access fees, April 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 26, 28, 29, May 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 20, 23, 25, 28. 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