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

In this episode, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Mariah Johnston talk about how to go whale watching in Depoe Bay to see giant whales — specifically from a boat.

Located along Oregon's central Coast, Depoe Bay is known as the whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast and home to the worlds’ smallest harbor.

Urness and Johnston discuss how to book a $30 to $50 boat tour, avoid sea sickness and experience the giants up close during the summer and fall months.

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks to outdoors intern Rose Shimberg about two of Oregon's subterranean destinations.

Urness and Shimberg talk first about the Lava River Cave, a mile-deep lava tube outside of Bend and the longest in Oregon. They go into the formations you can see and the different ways to reserve a trip to the popular destination.

In the second half, they discuss the Mitchell Point Tunnel, which opened earlier this year to hikers and bikers. Recreating the crown jewel of the historic Columbia River Highway, the tunnel offers stunning views of the Gorge, with multiple hikes nearby to explore.

In this episode, first published in 2021, Zach talks to mountain climb leader Michael Gurley about the best high mountain hikes and climbs that don't require ropes in Oregon. 

Zach and Michael pick 10 different mountain peaks that Oregonians in good shape can attempt with a hike or "scramble" climb, provided they've got strong legs, strong lungs and a good plan. 

The climbs they cover include multiple routes that rise above 9,000 feet, and two that ascend above 10,000 feet, in mountain ranges in the Cascades, Siskiyou, Elkhorn and Wallowas.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Mariah Johnston talk about how to swim, boat and fish in the water of Crater Lake National Park’s for the last time until 2029.

Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is home to the deepest lake in the United States at 1,949 feet. Beginning next year, the only trail leading to the water will close for a three year construction project. That makes this August and early September the last time you can take a boat tour, swim or fish in the lake until almost the end of the decade.

Urness and Johnston discuss how to plan the trip and how to experience the deep, blue water in the state's only national park while you still can.

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about hiking, camping and fishing for rare brown trout at Linton Lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Located a mile off McKenzie Pass Highway 242, Linton Lake features old-growth forest, a place to swim, one of Oregon's tallest waterfalls and some of the most fun hike-in fishing in the state.

Urness talks about the how to make the trip and how to have a good day on the water.

In this episode, host Zach Urness interviews Oregon Parks and Recreation Department director Lisa Sumption about the challenging future for Oregon's state parks system.

The parks system includes more than 250 recreation sites and 50 campgrounds and was visited by a record 56.6 million people in 2024. However, OPRD is expecting to face a 14% shortfall by 2027. That could mean layoffs to rangers and even closing some parks.

In the podcast, Sumption explains the shortfall and plans to fix it by raising revenue through new and creative streams of income. It's her hope to fund the park system without asking for taxpayer funding or any tax increase.

In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Mariah Johnston talk about the newest railbiking site in Oregon — this one within striking distance of the Willamette Valley.

Santiam Excursion Trains is based in Lebanon and recently added a new railbike adventure in Sweet Home. It travels 6 miles on the old Sweet Home Branch line, where abandoned buildings and wildlife are plentiful.

Mariah talks about the highlights of the trip, how to book a ride and the history of the rail line and railbiking in general, which has become increasingly popular across the state.

In this episode, host Zach Urness reposts a favorite podcast about snorkeling crystal clear rivers, creeks and backcountry lakes.

This episode, first recorded in 2019, covers the equipment needed and locations where you can explore underwater canyons and come nose-to-nose with a confused fish.

In this episode, host Zach Urness and intern Mariah Johnston discuss the biggest news in Oregon's outdoors from the past few weeks.

Zach starts off by discussing the latest wildfire forecast, the fight against the sale of federal public lands and some of the biggest takeaways from the Oregon legislative session — including new fees for fishing and boating.

In the second half, Zach and Mariah discuss a more diverse collection of news stories, including troubling news for Oregon's grey whale population, E-bikes being allowed at Oregon State Parks, new parking rules for Suavie Island's beaches and a handful of other topics.

In this episode, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Mariah Johnson detail how to hike, float and explore a lake with one of the most beautiful views of Mount Hood — but that in past was known as "Mud Lake."

Johnson visited Trillium Lake, near Government Camp, one of the more popular summer recreation sites, home to a place to rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, in addition to a nice hiking trail and campground.

Johnson also details why the lake was once known as "Mud Lake," and the fact that it was once in a movie starring Jimmy Stewart.