Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

We'll talk about hidden beaches of white sand, explore little-known pathways such as the Steam Donkey Trail and take a dive into the area's fascinating history, from a plan to create a nuclear power plant at Cape Kiwanda to a love-struck sea captain who asked for his lady's hand in marriage at a certain rock.

Zach and David close the books on 2020 with a look back at the year's biggest stories in Oregon's outdoors. Stories covered include a ghost wagon that rose from Detroit Lake, a man that escaped the Labor Day fires by sheltering on a river and the death of conservation icon George Atiyah.

In this episode, we discuss your best options for getting outside this winter and what to changes to expect. We also replay the Oregon State Parks draft from an earlier interview with state parks director Lisa Sumption.

In this episode Zach and guidebook author Matt Wastradowski talk about the best hikes of Oregon's McKenzie Pass.

The historic wildfire season burned and closed many iconic waterfalls while the continued impact of COVID-19 and storm damage has shuttered others. We talk about some of the best-known waterfalls in Northwest Oregon and whether they're open or closed, burned or unscathed.

In this episode, hosts Zach Urness and David Davis talk about the outdoor paradise around Southern Oregon's Grants Pass while discussing the history of the town's name — which includes murder, betrayal and a Civil War general. Urness, who lived in Grants Pass for six years, also talks about meeting the founder of Dutch Bros and the glory of the Rogue River, the Illinois River, local mountain bikin...

Zach speaks with Lisa Sumption, the director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and longtime parks spokesman Chris Havel to talk about why parks were shut down, how they've been impacted and what comes next — including when yurts and cabins will reopen.

In our first mini-podcast, we detail four of our favorite things to do around Hood River, Oregon. From a leisurely bike ride along the Columbia, to wild rafting trips, to fruit farms and wildflowers.

In this edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, hosts Zach Urness and David Davis talk about the genesis of the fires that ripped through the Santiam Canyon the night of Labor Day 2020 and into the next morning, devastating communities up and down the canyon.

On this episode we'll take you to the second-longest undammed river in the United States which snakes through deep, isolated canyons in Eastern Oregon for a trip that features beautiful camping, great fishing and mellow rapids.

In this episode we're joined by Chandra LeGue, author of Oregon's Ancient Forests, to talk about the best tree-focused hikes in Oregon.

In this episode we're joined by marine expert Luke Parsons to talk about the majesty of the whale migrations along the Oregon Coast.

In this week's edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach details his favorite winter activity, visiting waterfalls shrouded in snow and ice.

Zach is joined by fishing poet and Western Oregon University professor Henry Hughes to talk fishing at Detroit Lake.

Outdoors writer Zach Urness shares how to make an adventure out of finding your special Christmas tree in Willamette National Forest.

In this week's edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, we pick the best things to do on Willamette Pass.

We're taking a look at a unique program of the National Forest Service that allows people to harvest plants (with permit) for personal use. We'll tell you how to take advantage and where to go.

We run down our favorite lighthouses on the Oregon Coast and how you can climb to the top.

In this episode, we talk about kayak and canoe camping at Waldo Lake, one of the clearest and most beautiful lakes in Oregon. While many spend the night at the lake's three developed campgrounds, you're also allowed to load up a boat with camping equipment and head to "dispersed" campsites that dot the lake's shoreline.

Zach finds inspiration from dives performed by biologists conducting fish counts and discusses a combination of hikes into the backcountry and underwater snorkeling. We look at snorkeling opportunities on the Collawash River, Little North Santiam, Elk Lake Creek and more.

A quick look at destinations along the South Santiam River including House Rock Campground and Iron Mountain.

Outdoors editor Zach Urness speaks with Renee Patrick, coordinator for the Oregon Desert Trail, about the challenging eastern Oregon route that will open the eyes of hikers to the wonders of the high desert.

We sit down with Sen. Ron Wyden to discuss the Oregon Wildlands Act and the creation of a new wilderness area around Devil's Staircase.

Whether you're a ski fan looking for some fresh powder, a first-time snowshoer, a family looking to sled, or want to take in the majesty of a waterfall during winter, we'll detail the best way to make it happen.

In this episode outdoors editor Zach Urness and producer David Davis are joined by Salem Summit Company's Tori Mullins to highlight gear they can't live without.