O.A.R.S. by Longstanding Agreement with Grand Teton & Yellowstone Parks Offers Guests Unique Privacy

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - May 16, 2013 - PRLog -- ANGELS CAMP, CA, – Guests of veteran river outfitter and nature-based adventure travel (http://www.oars.com/) company O.A.R.S. are members of a very special group. They are the only outfitted paddlers who are permitted to overnight on an island camp on Jackson Lake at the base of Mount Moran in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.

"This unique indulgence in privacy is possible because O.A.R.S. is the only National Park concessioner authorized to operate overnight trips on Jackson Lake," said Steve Markle, spokesperson.  "We were one of the first outfitters authorized to operate commercial trips here in the heart of Grand Teton National Park and the camp that we are permitted to use on Grassy Island is exceptionally unique."

O.A.R.S. (http://www.oars.com/) has fashioned programs from a half-day of sea kayaking on Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park to week-long multi-sport programs exploring two of the most iconic regions of the United States—Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. According to Markle, this company’s style of travel—comfortable, catered camping with gourmet dining and panoramic views of the Tetons—saves money when compared to a lodge or hotel stay in these popular resort areas.

“But most important,” notes Markle, “our guests are getting off the beaten track and into the backcountry where sightings of wildlife are common and active exploration is far from the ever-present tourists that crowd the parks.” Frequently seen are Bald eagles, elk, moose, beaver, otters and even bear foraging along the banks.

A two-day guided Jackson Lake Kayaking Trip in Grand Teton National Park offers one or two nights with island camping. Jackson Lake’s calm, clear waters are ideal for paddlers learning their first kayaking strokes. There’s ample time built-in for hikes, fishing and honing one’s photographic skills on the landscapes that surround. Departures are weekends, mid-June through mid-September. Rates are from $329 adult and $279 youth (ages 4 years and up). See: http://www.oars.com/wyoming/jacksonholeguide.html.

Guests can add a day of tranquil rafting on the Snake River beneath the Tetons on a three-day / two night Jackson Lake Kayaking | Snake River Rafting Combo Trip. Rates are $659 adult and $554 youth ages 4 and up. See: http://www.oars.com/wyoming/jacksonlake.html.

The five or six-day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Explorer is the company’s flagship program in the region taking active travelers off the beaten path and beyond the boardwalks of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Included are kayaking, rafting, hiking and sightseeing from the geothermal wonders of Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake’s West Thumb Geyser Basin to the cool, reflective waters and pristine wilderness of Jackson Lake and the Snake River beneath the Tetons. Trips run June into September. Rates are from $1,389 adult and $1,261 youth (ages 7 and up). In addition to their regular departures, O.A.R.S. offers trips for solo travelers (June 11 & August 27) and a special photography trip on June 16. See: http://www.oars.com/wyoming/yellowstonemultisport.html.

For time-stressed travelers, O.A.R.S offers morning and afternoon Half-Day Yellowstone Lake Kayaking trips on the continent’s largest alpine lake. Steamy geysers gush at water’s edge, mud pots bubble and hot springs sear. All are easy to spot from the unique perspective of a sturdy, stable sea kayak. For the best shot at spotting wildlife, consider a sunrise paddle, launching at 6:30 a.m. July through early August. Rates are $99 adult and $76 youth (ages 7 and up). http://www.oars.com/wyoming/yellowstoneparktours.html.  

About O.A.R.S.

Some 500,000 guests later, O.A.R.S. (http://www.oars.com/) has been providing whitewater rafting vacations since 1969. Over the decades the company has set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport adventure, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines around the world. O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries, including one-day and weekend escapes. In 2012, for the sixth consecutive year, Condé Nast Traveler recognized Mindy Gleason, O.A.R.S. Reservation Manager and International Adventure Travel Consultant, as Condé Nast Traveler’s standalone Top Travel Specialist in the River Rafting category. In 2013 Outside, America’s leading multimedia active-lifestyle brand, named it one of the top two companies in its annual Active Travel Awards (http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/travel-awards/Runner-Up-Oars.html) recognition program.  

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Media Contact: Steve Markle

Phone: 209-753-4797

Email: stevem@oars.com

Web: http://www.oars.com/press.html