In 1969, OARS became the first exclusively, non-motorized rafting company authorized by the National Park Service to run trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. In 1987, Grand Canyon Dories founder and conservationist, Martin Litton,
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passed the reins to OARS founder, George Wendt, so that he could carry on the dory legacy. Today, OARS & Grand Canyon Dories maintain an ongoing commitment to conservation and responsible travel through unequaled access to more rivers by raft or dory.