Forest Product / Mushroom Permit
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Forest Product permits allow you to harvest mushrooms and other forest products on National Forest Land. With your permit you will be given information about the specific rules and regulations for the Eldorado National Forest including information about where you may harvest. It is your responsibility to know where you are harvesting (not on private land), as well as, to know and follow the rules and regulations governing your permit.
Do I need a Permit?
Incidental Use: No permit is required. Individual can collect up to 1 gallon or less per person, per year.
- Incidental Use Guide for Forest Products (pdf)
- Mushrooms gathered under incidental use cannot be sold or exchanged in any form.
- Incidental use is not allowed in wilderness areas, botanical areas, administrative sites, research natural areas or other areas under current closures.
Forest Product Removal Permit: A Forest Products Removal permit is required if collecting more than the amount allowed for incidental use. Please call for current cost. Typically $20 for up to 40 lbs.
- Permits are required for all harvesters over 12 years old. Individuals between 12-17 years old must have their permits signed by a parent, guardian or adult sponsor and must be accompanied by an adult while harvesting.
- The permit must be kept with the permittee when collecting or transporting mushrooms.
- Permits do not transfer between National Forests and expire at the end of the year.
- To obtain a permit: Must be in person at one of the Eldorado National Forest District offices.
What is the proper method for harvesting mushrooms?
When collecting mushrooms please adhere to the following best management practices to protect future harvests:
- Pull by hand or cut individual mushrooms at the base. Mechanical methods, use of leaf blowers, rakes, hand raking, and other ground disturbing techniques are prohibited.
- Reduce impacts to the fungi by not disturbing the soil. Leave the collection area in an undisturbed condition. Replace any leaf litter or duff disturbed during the collection process. Avoid trampling recovering vegetation in recently burned areas.
- Be respectful of other’s right to collect mushrooms on the Eldorado National Forest. Public lands are open to all.
- Remember the boundary between private land adjacent to national forest land may not be well marked. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to identify ownership boundaries.
- Practice good harvesting! Consider using a mesh bag, as the mesh allows the mushroom spores to
return to the ground and “reseed”.
Be Safe and Know Your Mushrooms
- Each year interest grows in harvesting wild mushrooms from national forests. Proper identification and determination of whether a mushroom is edible is the responsibility of the harvester. Many forest mushrooms are poisonous. Guidebooks can help you identify mushrooms. Your local library, websites, county extension office and local Mycological Society are good sources of information.
- When In Doubt... Leave It in the Woods!
- Beware of falling snags and stump holes in burned areas.
Be sure you know the regulations affecting the area where you intend to collect.
- Road Access - Motor Vehicle Use Maps for designated motorized roads and seasonal closures are available at all Eldorado National Forest offices. Motorized travel off designated roads and trails is prohibited.
- Parking along roads designated or authorized for public travel is permitted within one vehicle length from the edge of the road surface.
- Parking shall not block traffic or impede fire or emergency vehicles.
- Seasonal Road Closure: During the winter most of the forest is under snow and very little area is accessible. All dirt roads and trails are closed to motor vehicle use between January 1 and March 31. The Seasonal Closure may be longer if roads or trails are wet and susceptible to damage. This closure is intended to protect water quality and prevent rutting and damage to these roads and trails.
- Garbage: Pack-it in, pack-it out.
- Human waste must be disposed of at least 300 feet from any stream, lake, or other body of water or any recreational site, facility, or special use permit area and must be buried at least eight (8) inches deep.
- A Campfire Permit is required if you have or attend a wood, charcoal, or gas fire. These are free and can be obtained on line at www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/.
- Fire season is typically between May 1 through October 15. The permittee must obey all applicable federal, state, and county fire prevention and control regulations.
- Fire restrictions may be in effect so check with the local office before your trip.
- If you elect to have a campfire,
- use an established camp ring or clear the area down to mineral soil for a distance of at least five (5) feet around the fire and remove all overhanging branches or other combustible material.
- The fire must be attended at all times. If the fire is to be left unattended, it must be COMPLETELY extinguished first.