Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Baratunde Thurston, AMERICA OUTDOORS WITH BARATUNDE THURSTON is a one-hour docuseries that follows Thurston on an adventure-filled journey to explore the diverse array of regions across America and how those landscapes shape the way Americans work, play and interact with the outdoors. From wilderness pilots flying "below the rim" in Idaho to coal miners turned beekeepers in Appalachia to Black surfers catching waves in Los Angeles, Baratunde introduces viewers to a vivid cast of characters whose outdoor lives are shaped by where they live. AMERICA OUTDOORS reveals a deeper understanding of our passionate yet complicated relationship with the outdoors. Season 1 of AMERICA OUTDOORS premiered on Tuesdays, beginning July 5, 2022 through August 9:

"Death Valley: Life Blooms (Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 9pm): It is the hottest place on Earth, but Death Valley is remarkably full of life. Baratunde Thurston seeks out the extremes of this national park and finds an outdoor mecca for those who embrace its heat, isolation, and natural beauty. Meet an ultra-marathoner who runs in the brutal heat of summer, the mayor of a town of one, and an elder of the Timbisha Shoshone tribe, who helps us see that this is a place where life blooms.

"Idaho: Tied to the Land" (Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 9pm): Life on the American frontier is evolving. To find out how, and what it means, Baratunde ventures into the wild of Idaho in search of its outdoor culture. He finds ranchers and backcountry pilots sharing the wilderness with newly resettled refugees and sees how climate change is wreaking havoc on the age-old salmon fishery.

"Los Angeles: It's a Vibe" (Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 9pm): Baratunde explores his adopted hometown to learn how Angelinos connect with the outdoors in their sprawling city. From kayakers saving a polluted river to Black surfers claiming their place on the waves, preserving access to outdoor LA is something worth fighting for.

"Appalachia: A Different Way" (Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 9pm): Appalachia may seem like a place locked in time, but its people know a thing or two about change, especially when it comes to the outdoors. From a trail-blazing hiker to a 21st century forager, Baratunde meets the people driving a revolution in how we see and interact with nature.

"Tidewater: Homecoming" (Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 9pm): Along the coast of North Carolina, there is more to outdoor life than sun and surf. As he treks through a daunting swamp, soars above the dunes on a Wright Brothers glider, and tracks wild horses on the beach, Baratunde discovers how these outdoor environments were shaped by a surprising force: history.

"Minnesota: A Better World" (Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 9pm): What does the wild mean to Americans today? To find out, Baratunde journeys into Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, one of the last places where you can hike or paddle your way into the remote wilderness. From passionate birders to harvesters of wild rice, he encounters a fascinating cast of characters -- and hears from them why wilderness means so much.
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The six-episode second season of AMERICA OUTDOORS WITH BARATUNDE THURSTON premiered on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 8pm on PBS (check local listings). In Season 2, Baratunde Thurston highlights even more regions and environments, finding unique expressions of our outdoor culture in Utah, Maine, Arkansas, New Mexico, Oregon and the Suwanee River in Georgia and Florida. New this season, episodes will dig into the growing evidence that links people's overall health and wellness with being outside and will also explore new ways of making the outdoors accessible to everyone. The series will also continue to showcase how Americans seek out the outdoors in the most unlikely of places, even as our changing climate grows more extreme. Season 2 episodes include:

"Suwannee: Wild River" (Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 8pm): The Suwannee is one of the last wild rivers in America, and its watershed creates woods and wetlands, marshes, and cave systems. From its headwaters in the Okefenokee Swamp, Baratunde journeys downstream, meeting colorful denizens of the Suwannee. From jet skiers to herpetologists, manatees to snapping turtles, he learns how this unique environment inspires a whole range of passions.

"Arkansas: Hidden Gems" (Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 8pm): In Arkansas, just about everyone you meet is into the outdoors, yet to many outside the state it barely registers as an outdoor destination. Now, it's on a mission to earn recognition as a wild mecca. Baratunde heads south to find out why this hidden gem has stayed hidden for so long, and how its outdoor culture is changing.

"New Mexico: Timeless" (Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 8pm): New Mexico was first inhabited by Ancient Puebloans millennia ago, and some of the most stunning ruins on the continent can be found here. From turkey hunting to river rafting on the Rio Grande and ancient pueblos built in alignment with the stars, Baratunde explores how the area's deep history still shapes the outdoor culture, even as people there are reimagining their outdoor lives.

"Oregon: New Heights" (Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 8pm): Oregon is known for its wild coastline and misty forests, but it's a place where a few hours in your car can take you from the coast to the high desert or the Cascade mountains. Embracing this incredible variety, Baratunde embraces forest bathing, goes spearfishing to discover underwater kelp forests, rides along with cowboys on the cutting edge of sustainable ranching and rollerblades through Portland.

"Utah: Choose Your Path" (Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 8pm): From the nomadic Dine tribes who have been here since time immemorial to the Mormons who made their religious pilgrimage in 1847, the expansive beauty of Utah has been a magnet for centuries. So what draws modern pilgrims? Baratunde journeys west to find out what they're seeking, and how are they shaping the outdoor culture today.

"Maine: Embrace the Cold" (Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 8pm): With its magnificent coastline and densely wooded interior, Maine is a place where outdoor adventure has a long history, and a love of wilderness starts in childhood. Baratunde meets a Mainer reviving the timeless craft of harvesting ice, straps on snowshoes to understand how being outside can help folks recovering from addiction and takes an icy plunge in the winter ocean to embrace the cold.