OARS, a pioneering whitewater rafting outfitter, has unveiled the evolution of its John Wesley Powell Retrace expedition—a six-week, 634-mile river journey tracing the most iconic stretches of the Green and Colorado Rivers, now culminating with a full descent of the Grand Canyon from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead.
Building on the success of its original 28-day retrace launched in 2019 for the 150th anniversary of Powell’s famed 1869 expedition, the new 42-day adventure stands alone as the most ambitious river expedition ever offered by a commercial outfitter. This exclusive expedition is made possible through the OARS’ unique portfolio of permits across the most coveted river corridors in the American West.
“This is the definitive John Wesley Powell retrace and represents the pinnacle of river exploration today,” said Steve Markle, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for OARS. “There is simply no other outfitter able to connect all of these legendary river sections into one continuous expedition.”
Launching on May 25, 2027, the adventure will begin on the Green River through Flaming Gorge, floating through Brown’s Park and the towering red rock walls of Gates of Lodore in Dinosaur National Monument before continuing into the remote wilderness of Desolation and Gray Canyons. From there, participants will wind through the sculpted sandstone labyrinths of Canyonlands country, traversing Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons before reaching the Colorado River and the legendary “Big Drops” of Cataract Canyon.
After a scenic flight over Lake Powell to northern Arizona, the expedition enters its grand finale: a complete, 277-mile journey through Grand Canyon National Park, navigating world-famous rapids like Hermit, Crystal, and Lava Falls while traveling through nearly two billion years of exposed geologic history carved by the Colorado.
Along the way, travelers will hike to hidden waterfalls, Indigenous cultural sites, remote side canyons, and historic locations tied to Powell’s original expedition. It’s a trip that blends infamous whitewater with immersive storytelling and deep access to some of the most protected and awe-inspiring landscapes in the American West.
The opening of reservations for this epic, one-of-a-kind adventure coincides with the induction of the late OARS founder, George Wendt, into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame this month—an honor recognizing his lifelong commitment to river conservation, wilderness access, and the evolution of modern river running.
“This expedition fulfills a dream my father carried for decades, to link these legendary canyons into one continuous expedition,” said Tyler Wendt, OARS President. “He was deeply inspired by the spirit of adventure that Powell’s expedition represented, and spent much of his life exploring the rivers of the Colorado Plateau, sharing their stories and advocating for their protection. To unveil this historic trip at the same moment he’s being honored for his commitment to river advocacy feels especially meaningful for our family and for OARS.”
Learn more at: https://www.oars.com/adventures/j-w-powell-retrace/
About OARS
Founded in 1969, OARS is one of the world’s most respected adventure travel companies and the first non-motorized outfitter permitted to run trips through the Grand Canyon. Today, OARS offers professionally guided rafting, sea kayaking, hiking, and multisport adventures with more than 75 unique itineraries across the globe. The company is recognized for its commitment to conservation, sustainable travel, and providing transformative wilderness experiences on the world’s greatest rivers and beyond. Learn more at: https://www.oars.com/
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