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

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

Zach Urness / Statesman Journal
Oregon
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
American Forest Resource Council
Hiking
Mount Hood
Cascade Mountains
Visit Tillamook Coast
Tillamook Coast
John Day River
Pacific Crest Trail
Detroit Lake
Fishing
Columbia River Gorge
Mount Jefferson Wilderness
Coho Salmon
Oregon Coast Trail
Backpacking
Camping
Mountain Biking
Outdoor Recreation

Everything to know about exploring Oregon's best outdoor destinations from the Statesman Journal including where to camp, hike, bike and more.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes241Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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

Latest Episodes

In this reposted episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with Leo Rosen-Fischer, an expert of recreational tree climbing in the Pacific Northwest and owner Tree Climbing at Silver Falls. They talk about what recreational tree cl... more

In this episode, intern Makenzie Stamets talks with climbing historian Jeff Thomas about how sport climbing was born and developed at Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon. Thomas has been climbing at Smith since the 70s and has written two of the ... more

In this episode, host Zach Urness and intern Riley Ellis talk about surfing at Short Sand Beach, Oregon's most popular surfing destination. Short Sand, located in Oswald West State Park, garners 1.3 million visitors a year and features a beautiful ha... more

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with state climatologist Larry O'Neill about what a historically powerful El Niño will mean for Oregon this fall and winter. The two talk about the difference between El Niño and La Niña and why it matters for ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Leo Rosen-Fischer
Owner of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls
Tree Climbing at Silver Falls
Episode: Want to climb 300-foot old-growth Oregon trees? Here's how to make it happen
Jeff Thomas
Oregon climbing historian who has written two state guidebooks
Episode: Sport climbing began at Smith Rock State Park. Here's how it happened
Riley Ellis
Outdoor journalism intern and resident surfer
Statesman Journal
Episode: Is Oregon's most popular surf spot amazing or overhyped?
Denny Dyke
Creator of Circles in the Sand labyrinth art on Face Rock Beach
Circles in the Sand
Episode: A drug bust, deadly wildfire and princess turned to stone: the best of Bandon
Kyle Williams
Oregon Department of Forestry Deputy Director of Fire Operations
Oregon Department of Forestry
Episode: Oregon's wildfire season has been historically bad. What comes next?
Marcus Fance
Rafted numerous rivers around the Pacific Northwest
Independent rafting enthusiast/guide
Episode: Oregon's 'Grande' river trip showcases easy rapids, wildlife, beautiful camping
Makenzie Stamets
Outdoor intern who reported on Yellowbottom and Quartzville Corridor
Statesman Journal
Episode: What's next for beloved Yellowbottom campground, Quartzville Creek swimming holes?
Joshua Carnahan
Assistant Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management
BLM
Episode: What's next for beloved Yellowbottom campground, Quartzville Creek swimming holes?
Bethany Lintz
New to outdoor climbing, learned outdoor skills through gym classes
Climber featured in segment
Episode: Why the shady forest of French's Dome is ideal for beginner rock climbers

Host

Zach Urness
Host focusing on Oregon outdoors, history, and trail reporting; affiliated with a regional newspaper.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 145 ratings
  • Great outdoor podcast

    I never miss an episode. So many great outdoor adventures! Zach and his guests are very knowledgeable and fun to listen too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Colorgirl123678
    United States3 months ago
  • I moved to Oregon recently and have been trying to get to know my new home. This podcast is a great way to learn about outing opportunities offered by this fantastic state. Even the older episodes have enough good ideas and information to be worth a listen.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    naviguessor
    3 months ago
  • Wish there was a different host…

    The subject matter of this show is great and I love that it spans local history, outdoor opportunities and natural resource issues. However I find the host to be lackluster, to the point where I have bailed on some episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sitka541
    United States2 years ago
  • Stay out of Oregon!!!!!

    The last thing Oregon needs is more tourists to come and disrespect the land and locals.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    plopler
    United States2 years ago
  • Host is the best

    I always learn from this podcast. The host is great and makes we want to explore all the places he talks about.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    growinthesun
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive feedback highlights the show's impact on planning outdoor trips and learning about trails and forests.
Many praise host knowledge and interview quality for informative, engaging exploration of Oregon.
Some criticism exists around host delivery and volume consistency across segments.
Listeners appreciate in-depth local outdoor reporting and practical trip planning.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Want to climb 300-foot old-growth Oregon trees? Here's how to make it happen
Q: So what makes it fun?
The unique perspective of nature from the canopy, the sense of connection with living giants, and the emotional reactions of participants, including awe and even tears, make the experience genuinely special.
Sport climbing began at Smith Rock State Park. Here's how it happened
Q: Why did sport climbing take hold at Smith Rock, and what role did Alan Watts play?
Sport climbing gained momentum as climbers adopted top-down approaches and other regions contributed new techniques; Alan Watts popularized this style at Smith Rock and drew international attention, catalyzing Smith Rock's rise to a global climbing hub.
Dynamite, wildfire and waterfalls: Backpacking historic Eagle Creek Trail
Q: When did Makenzie start the backpacking trip and what were the first day's conditions like?
Makenzie began around 9 a.m. on a weekday; the first half of the day wasn't very steep, allowing time to enjoy waterfalls and deer sightings.
What's next for beloved Yellowbottom campground, Quartzville Creek swimming holes?
Q: So you went and visited the site. What was it like?
It felt peaceful and remote, with towering ancient trees and direct access to a cold swimming hole, underscoring why people cherished the site while also highlighting the practical constraints of safety and infrastructure.
New $3.4 million trail system coming to iconic Blue Pool on the McKenzie River
Q: Matt, can you just start off by giving me a little background on why the project is needed?
The increase in visitation since the early 2010s overwhelmed the existing facilities, lacking adequate parking and safety measures, which spurred the decision to build a new trailhead and improve access.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show frequently covers practical how-tos for experiencing Oregon's outdoors, from backpacking historic trails and family-friendly trips to seasonal river adventures. Across episodes, listeners learn about safety, trail conditions, conservation ethics, and policy issues shaping outdoor access, along with on-the-ground reporting from local parks, forests, and coastal towns. A standout aspect is the mix of veteran hosting, expert guests, and hands-on guidance that spans natural history, recreation planning, and infrastructure developments, making it useful for anyone planning outdoor trips or following public-lands news.

Noteworthy is the consistent focus on accessibility and safety (from trailhead logistics to wildfire responses), plus t... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Peak Northwest
2. Think Out Loud
3. OPB Politics Now
4. the Sharp End Podcast
5. All In with Chris Hayes

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this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 241 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Leo Rosen-Fischer
2. Jeff Thomas
3. Riley Ellis
4. Denny Dyke
5. Kyle Williams
6. Marcus Fance
7. Makenzie Stamets
8. Joshua Carnahan

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