Press & Awards
The quality of our world-class river expeditions and unwavering focus on guest experience have not gone unnoticed. We are proud to be consistently recognized as a premier outfitter by national media and travelers alike, including multiple wins as USA Today’s Best Whitewater Rafting Tour. Explore the press features and articles below to see why our commitment to service and quality sets us apart on the river.
USA Today 10 Best #1 Best Whitewater Rafting Tour 2023
For the second time in three years, Northwest Rafting Company was thrilled to be voted the Best White Water Rafting Tour in the country by the readers of USA Today in the 2023 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Conservation Alliance 2023 Outstanding Partnership Award
For the second time in five years, Northwest Rafting Company was deeply honored to receive The Conservation Alliance’s Outstanding Partnership Award in 2023. Nominated by our conservation partners at Oregon Wild, this award celebrated our commitment to leveraging the voice of the outdoor recreation industry to secure permanent protections for the state’s treasured waterways. The Conservation Alliance specifically highlighted the inspiring and persistent advocacy of NWRC owner Zach Collier, who successfully worked with members of Congress to advance critical river conservation legislation in Oregon.
USA Today 10 Best #1 Best White Water Rafting Tour 2021
We were honored to be voted the Best White Water Rafting Tour in the nation by the readers of USA Today in their 2021 10 Best competition. This prestigious national recognition affirmed our dedication to providing exceptional, world-class multi-day river expeditions. This win is a testament to our talented river guides and office staff dedication to authentically run river trips.
America Outdoors 2019 Thrive Award
In 2019 we were recognized by America Outdoors with the prestigious Thrive Award for Excellence in Social Media Presence. This national honor celebrated our successful efforts to connect with the outdoor recreation community and share the beauty and excitement of river life across our digital platforms. The award recognized our dedication to engaging with river enthusiasts and showcasing the quality of our trips.
The Conservation Alliance 2019 Outstanding Partnership Award
We were deeply honored to be recognized by The Conservation Alliance with the Outstanding Partnership Award in 2019, alongside a distinguished group of outdoor industry leaders. This prestigious recognition celebrated our long-standing, active partnership with the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA). Through this work, we successfully advocated for the permanent protection of the wild and remote Owyhee River and its surrounding canyonlands along with ONDA and its coalition partners.
Audrey Gehlhausen named 2015 IOGA Guide of the Year
NWRC Guide Audrey Gehlhausen was named the 2015 “Guide of the Year” by the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association. Audrey is one of those guides that guests can’t get enough of. She is smart, funny, charming, and just the perfect amount of quirky. Kids adore her silly sense of humor and fun-loving spirit. Adults want to know more about her academic career as a geologist and love her intelligent, personable nature.
The Oregonian February 2014
Riding the Wind On a cold, foggy January morning in Portland I load my gear into my Toyota van. The destination isn’t Mount Hood for skiing; I’m going whitewater rafting on the upper Wind River in southwest Washington. This isn’t some macho, masochistic rite of passage. This is the prime boating season on a premier Northwest river. As soon as I’m on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge, sun punctures the fog and views of the Cascade Mountains explode before me. ( Read Article )
Best of the Gorge 2013
For the second year in a row, Northwest Rafting Company has been voted Best of the Gorge by the readers of Gorge Guide Magazine. Most of our trips are multi-day expeditions, but the Columbia Gorge is the only place that we offer single day or half day trips. These are all high quality, small group trips on the uniquely beautiful rivers around Hood River.
Del Norte Triplicate September 2013
A Rare Glimpse of the Upper Chetco Nestled in the southwest corner of Oregon lies the Chetco River, a remarkably clear stream with hints of emerald green, known for 50-pound salmon and described by many as one of the last places to experience a truly wild and remote river trip as its upper reaches cut through the heart of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. Because of its little-known nature and difficult access, only two river outfitters have ever offered trips on the National Wild and Scenic Chetco River, with the latest company, Northwest Rafting Company, just completing its inaugural commercial trip this summer.
Tour of a Lifetime 2013
Rushing Waters Veteran guide Vladimir Gavrilov leads the adventure company’s debut rafting expedition down the Chuya and Bashkaus Rivers and through rocky canyons deep in the expansive wilderness that is southern Siberia. In between running rapids (Class 3-4), explore the Altay villages of Saratan and Ust’ Ulagan and check out the unique petroglyphs of the Chuta Trakt. Northwest Rafting Company: “European Body, Asian Soul: Chuya and Bashkaus River Expedition in Russia.” ( See Listing )
Best of the Gorge 2012
NWRC was voted Best of the Gorge 2012 by readers of Gorge Guide Magazine. “The Gorge” refers to the Columbia River Gorge, a scenic corridor separating Oregon and Washington, where our main office is located. The abundance of rivers and streams that empty into the mighty Columbia River allow us to offer a variety of half- or full-day trips that are also perfect for learning how to raft.
Outside Magazine July 2012
Summer School This month, learn to organize and run your own float trip on Oregon’s wild and scenic Rogue River by enrolling in Northwest Rafting Company’s new four-day school. Over 38 miles of mostly Class III whitewater, guides will show you how to rig a flip-safe boat, plan out meals (like Dutch-oven lasagna), and row one rocking Class IV.
Men’s Journal June 2012
Paddle for the Pilsner Four days on the Rogue, in southwestern Oregon, means ripping through a forested canyon full of bears, eagles, and salmon. At camp, Double Mountain’s brewmaster-in-residence, Matt Swihart , offers his most popular beers, like the Vaporizer pale ale and cherry sour beer, as well as a special blend concocted just for the trip.
Del Norte Triplicate June 2012
Rafting on the Smith The prime time of the Smith’s whitewater season has passed, but mellow floats past old-growth redwoods on the main stem are a summer treat that can’t be beat. In the last week of May, river guides from Northwest Rafting Company had a break from taking clients down the Rogue River and took advantage of sufficient flows on the Smith to run Oregon Hole Gorge and South Fork Gorge — two of the most advanced runs in the Smith River watershed. ( See Article )
Men’s Journal What’s New June 2011
Stand-Up Rapids Sundance Kayak School is the first outfitter to offer stand-up paddleboarding trips down southern Oregon’s 60-degree Rogue River, where Class III whitewater awaits. We are proud to have introduced Stand Up Paddleboards to the Rogue River in 2011.
Outside Magazine 2011 Trip of the Year
Rafting & Cultural Tour of Bhutan Northwest Rafting Company co-owner Zach Collier was one of just 25,000 travelers admitted to Bhutan last year. His first move: befriending Ugyen Dorji, local river outfitter and kayak instructor extraordinaire. This fall, the duo will host two commercial rafting trips through the 14,824-square-mile country, focusing on the Mo Chuu… ( See Article )
Guest Testimonials
“Would definitely go on another Northwest trip. One of the best outfitters I have gone with and this was probably the most fun I have ever had on a river trip and I don’t think I could have laughed more. Great guides, gear was excellent, food well prepared and tasty and hey the Rogue River was its usual wonderful self.” – Janet Rossi; Placerville, CA
“I absolutely loved the river, the guides, the duckies, the hikes, the food, and the Dare Wear! My only complaint is we arrived at Foster Bar way to soon. Thanks to everyone who made it such a great trip!!! I can’t wait to go again!”
“Everyone should float the Rogue River with NWRC! Its even better when Sierra Nevada is involved 🙂 My husband and I had a blast and can’t wait to come back and raft it again!”
“We really appreciated the way the guides went out of their way to interact with and make our kids feel special.”
“I was very impressed with how well the guides worked with each guest’s special needs and helped them challenge their boundaries in a safe, supportive and comfortable manner. You guys are the best!”
“The guides were all fantastic! They all really cared about our complete experience on the river and were very knowledgeable about the river and our surroundings.”
“Great people, great food and great beer. It doesn’t get any better. And a special thanks to Maggie for all the behind-the-scenes help!”
“To the hardest working crew I’ve ever met, Thank You. I’ve brewed beer for 17+ years and to find people that love their job as much, if not more, was real treat.”
“The trip was a great combination of wildlife, whitewater, time with family and great food. This trip was a raft/kayaking trip and it seemed to work very well. My 13 year old son is very interested in going kayaking now, while I am happy with rafting. A combo trip might be in our future?”
“This was the best whitewater kayaking trip i’ve ever been on! The river is wonderful and the guides are amazing. Thank you!”
“The 8 days on the Rogue were amazing. The guides made the hard work of kayaking worth it!!! Really looking forward to doing it again.”
“I can’t recall working with a group of people who were more complimentary to each other and more well coordinated. Overall, an excellent time that was made superlative by the guides.”
“You are amazing from office to river. Change nothing, please.”