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 "Oregon Search & Rescue: Answering the Call," which covers the state's best-known searchers, high-profi…

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 Abiqua Falls so special and the unique space it's occupied in becoming one of the state's most loved …

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 Festival, is now available to watch for free on YouTube or at the film's website. Dersham describe…

Will Oregon solve its outdoor recreation lawsuit crisis this legislative session? Plus, '1.25% for wildlife'

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: - A potential legal fix to the lawsuit and affordability crisis facing ski areas and outfitters and gu…

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 2025 ranked in terms of heat, rainfall and other factors from this past year. The year 2025 was th…

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 outdoor recreation sites The most interesting people and places that we covered in 2025

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 line.  This podcast, which originally published in 2021, focuses on a recently completed trail system that pr…

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 Point Lake, a reservoir southeast of Eugene just off Highway 58. The reservoir undergoes a deep drawdown…

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, an agency tracing its history back to the 1800s, in May of 2024. In the podcast, she talked about …

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 forests to find a tree to bring home — whether you live in Portland, Salem, Eugene or elsewhere. It's not …