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 biking spots and the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve.

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.