The Good Guides in the White Rafts

ADVENTURE WITH US

Invested in bringing people together ONE RIVER TRIP AT A TIME.

Our river adventures are well-suited for all ages. River trips from calm to rambunctious with hand-picked and personally trained river rafting guides because your safety and enjoyment is our primary concern. Additionally, we provide the best guide to guest ratio in Washington's river industry.

River rafting for all

Orion is a full service, professional river outfitter for families, youth, and adults of all ages. Offering both challenging to introductory white water and outfitting raft trips on rivers throughout the North Central Cascades, as well as north central Oregon.

Specialty trips

Offering a variety of specialty trips including our trips exclusively for women and teams. Our river rafting adventures are meant to stimulate, rejuvenate, and lead to a more peaceful frame of mind.

TRAINING

We have trained guides for 45 years and every year we strive to improve our program and build upon our success. In other words, you will be the recipient of a very comprehensive training program. 15 days to learn the entire range of skills required to be a professional river guide, or just steer your own craft on Class III-IV water.

Orion’s River Guide Staff

HAND-PICKED & PERSONALLY TRAINED

Along with being one of the oldest rafting companies still in operation in the State of Washington, there are many other things that make Orion Expeditions a unique Pacific Northwest entity. Orion Expeditions is a community bonded through the love of rivers and their therapeutic power. The company was founded in 1978 by people who were invested in bringing people together through outdoor recreation.

Our guide training is one-of-a-kind in the Pacific Northwest, reinforcing the strong community of guides that make up Orion.

We are a highly gender balanced company that believes both guys and gals make equally rad, and competent river guides. Our Trainers are seen as the “elders” of the Orion community; passing down experiential knowledge through the development of both hard and soft skills that are crucial for effective outdoor leadership. If you ask any Orion guide the question “What has Orion meant to you?” They will likely have a strong sense of community pride, rich with gratitude for the family to which we all belong whole heartedly.

Original founder and owner, James L. Moore sums up Orion’s community ethos:

“When you join a river running community, you step into an ever-changing, ever-growing mythos with its long-standing pantheon of characters and their deeds. Yet there is always room for more and every new guide begins collecting and creating stories from their very first day on the job. A river running community, especially a rafting one, is a collective with shared memories, each one building on the next. All falling together, one on top of the other, like Tetris blocks. Our stories lay bare our culture. They also enhance it, fortify it, and keep it vibrant.”

Orion's community of guides celebrating at a wedding between two of our senior staff.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...

“Great trip for our high school seniors. Fun, mellow, relaxing, and time for them to be kids and enjoy being on the water!”
-David H, Bellevue
“Another rafting place cancelled on me last minute. I called Orion the day prior and they fit me as well as 3 other guests for my father’s birthday—no problem. The river was down because of being late in the season, but the young staff is so knowledgeable and energetic we still had a fantastic time. It’s a real delight to be around people that like what they do. I will definitely book them again.”
-Brennan R, Everett
“Taking 16 12 - 17 year olds and 7 adults whitewater rafting was a challenge to find the right place to feel secure with. Orion was awesome to work with, set up our trip with ease and had 4 of the most amazing female guides you could ever imagine. Everyone got out at a special location and used a boat as a slip n slide into the river, that was awesome! Such a phenomenal trip full of excitement, great conversations and a lifetime full of memories. Thank you Orion and guides for the most amazing trip!”
-Kerri H, Bonney Lake
“I had a great experience with Orion. Liam helped get me booked the night before. He communicated clearly about the trip. Tanner was a great guide. He assessed our skill levels and kept us (safely) on the edge of our seats (raft).”
Mattis, Charleston, SC
"Amazing group of people. I felt extremely safe with James and his team of guides. I took my twelve year old daughter with me and we had a great time. The Wenatchee river took about 3 hours to complete. It was a great first experience for both of us.

Thank you James can't wait to do it again."
-Brian V, Seattle

“My mother and I rafted the Tieton River yesterday and we had a wonderful time! This was our fourth river rafting trip together, our first with this company, and it quickly became our favorite rafting trip. I was in communication with Liam in setting this up, and he was wonderful. He was extremely helpful and his communication was great! The pre-trip preparation and safety talk was very thorough, and throughout the trip it was apparent that safety is very important to everybody in the company. Our guide, Mariah, was so friendly and knowledgeable, and she was great at building a team between our two different groups in the boat. The entire experience was amazing and we will definitely be rafting with Orion in the future! We are already planning at least two different trips next year.”
-Christina S, WA

"This was the best crew I've ever rafted with. They were all focused on safety and fun and not acting all cool and poised. If you are on the fence jump - this company is worth it."
-Denise, Bainbridge Island

"I've been with numerous companies on numerous rivers throughout Washington and Oregon. I find myself going back to Orion again and again for a few simple reasons. The guides are pleasant and capable, the rivers they float are dynamic and accessible to most people, and they just like to have a lot of good safe fun."
-David M, Seattle

"I went rafting with Orion four times last season (3 on Wenatchee and 1 on the Tieton) and ALWAYS had a great time. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and will adjust the trip depending on riders experience levels. I've gone with people aged 12-62 and everyone has had a wonderful time. Wetsuits, splash guards, life jackets, and aqua socks are provided. Highly recommended!!"
-Elise D., King