Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues
Zach Urness / Statesman Journal
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Oregon's 12 best backpacking trips with kids (repost)
In this reposted episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness welcomes a trio of fun guests to talk about going backpacking with kids and some of the best places to visit. In thie episode…
New $3.4 million trail system coming to iconic Blue Pool on the McKenzie River
In this episode, Zach talks about the new trail system being constructed to access the popular site known as Blue Pool on the McKenzie River east of Eugene. Urness talks with Willamette National…
Oregon's 20 greatest river trips (repost)
In this 2022 episode, host Zach Urness and three river experts pick the 20 best river trips in the state for whitewater thrills and overnight camping adventures. The group talks about what makes…
When will beloved Opal Creek finally reopen? Forest Service lays out plan
In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with the U.S. Forest Service about when the Opal Creek area will finally reopen. The 35,000-acre wilderness and recreation area was severely burned and closed…
10 amazing Oregon fire lookout hikes (and how to spend the night)
In this episode, host Zach Urness chats with author Cheryl Hill about her new book "Hiking Oregon's Fire Lookouts." Hill picks 10 of her favorite lookout hikes and all the details needed to visit.…
U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Schultz defends reorganization plans in interview
U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Schultz defends reorganization plans in interview by Zach Urness / Statesman Journal
Detroit Lake 'mini cabins' becoming a hit. Plus, five spring adventures nearby
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about the popular mini cabins at Detroit Lake State Park and great places to visit nearby during the spring. The cabins were…
The past, present and future of Oregon's timber industry
In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about an in-depth story that he wrote about the past, present and future of Oregon's timber industry. The story and podcast look at the history of Oregon's…
Oregon lawmaker talks major wildlife bill, public lands and controversial waterway permits
In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with Oregon State Representative Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, about landmark legislation to protect Oregon wildlife and a host of other legislative issues. Helm…
How Oregon's greatest disasters fueled rise of search and rescue (repost)
In this episode, host Zach Urness reposts a conversation with author Glenn Voelz about the rise of Oregon's search and rescue, from the pioneer age to the modern era. Voelz is author of the book…
Spectacular Abiqua Falls is for sale. What to know about the effort to preserve it
In this episode, host Zach Urness dives into the sale of 92-foot Abiqua Falls and the effort to preserve it as a new park. Urness talks with outdoors writer and author Adam Sawyer about what makes…
Repost: How the McKenzie River Drift Boat became world famous
In this reposted episode, host Zach Urness talks with Randy Dersham, director of the documentary film "Oregon's Boat." The film, which won the award for Best Feature at the Oregon Documentary Film…
What outdoors bills are coming to the Oregon Legislature in 2026? Wildlife, liability, permits
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness previews the upcoming Oregon legislative session and outdoor-related bills that will be considered this February. Topics include: -…
Will Oregon's mountains get any more snow this winter? Plus, where did 2025 rank in terms of heat, rain?
In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with Oregon state climatologist Larry O'Neill about the state's lack of mountain snow and whether it's going to rally this winter. Then, they talk about where…
Oregon winter rec season finally underway, storm damage closures, best stories of 2025
In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about: The delayed start of winter recreation season, but the encouraging opening of Hoodoo Ski Area Storm damage and the closures of numerous popular…
Visit world's largest trees with trip to the Grove of the Titans (repost)
In this reposted episode, host Zach Urness talks about the mythic Grove of Titans, a collection of the largest redwood trees on earth, located just south of the Oregon and California state…
Find hot trout fishing in the 'disappearing river' of Lookout Point
In this episode, host Zach Urness goes fishing in an unusual place — the bottom of an empty reservoir on a stream that only appears for a few weeks every year. The place in question is Lookout…
Trailblazing Oregon Fish and Wildlife director talks fishing fees, wolves, coho boom and more
In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with Debbie Colbert, director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Colbert became the first female director of ODFW,…
Getting a Christmas tree in Oregon's national forest is affordable and fun. Here's how to do it
In this episode, host Zach Urness reposts his tips and tricks to finding the perfect Christmas tree in Oregon's national forests. With a $5 permit, you can travel far and wide in the national…
The glory of Oregon's 'scenic bikeways' with author Dan Shryock
In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with author Dan Shryock about his book on Oregon's Scenic Bikeways. Shryock, who wrote "Cycling Across Oregon" in 2024, talks about what inspired the book,…
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Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues has published 231 episodes since August 2018, covering topics in Science.
Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 36m.
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