Special Forest Products: Mushrooms
Mushrooms are the reproductive structures or “fruit” of certain fungi. Unlike green plants, fungi cannot use sunlight to make food, but the web-like root structures called mycelium decompose organic matter, which the organism utilizes for food. Mushrooms and truffles are important wildlife food. They are consumed by deer, elk, bear, small mammals, and mollusks. Some rodents rely on mushrooms for a significant part of their food supply and are, in turn, primary prey for larger species such as the northern spotted owl. Preserving the diversity of fungal species in forest ecosystems is essential to the wellbeing of our National Forests.
Go to our Special Forest Products Permit Console to obtain a Free Use permit for mushrooms.*Online permit system is not compatible with Internet Explorer.
For more information about mushrooms and locations check with the local Ranger District to plan your visit.
Free Use Mushroom Permit
Please select from the following options to learn more.
How many mushrooms can I harvest?
Up to 2 gallons a day & up to 10 days a calendar year, totaling up to 20 gallons of mushrooms per year. The Product Summary Table shows how many mushrooms you may harvest with Free Use permit.
Where can I get a Free Use mushroom permit?
Get your free use mushroom permit online at: https://apps.fs.usda.gov/gp. The online permit system is not compatible with Internet Explorer. Please consider other browser options like Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
Permits are also available at your local ranger district office.
Where can I harvest mushrooms?
Special Forest Product harvest area maps are free, required, and available at all Gifford Pinchot forest offices and authorized vendors. Pick up your permit and harvest area map before you start harvesting. Collecting mushrooms is prohibited in all Wilderness areas and within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Which mushrooms are safe to eat?
Many wild mushrooms are very poisonous. We recommend showing your mushrooms to an expert before attempting to eat any wild mushroom or fungus.
When can I pick mushrooms?
Free Use permits limit you to a period of 10 days during a calendar year. It is up to permit holders to choose and mark the days they wish to harvest mushrooms.
Other restrictions for Free Use
You are forbidden to sell or trade mushrooms gathered with a Free Use permit. If you wish to sell or trade mushrooms see Charge Use permits.
Remember, raking the duff or litter layer can ruin mushrooms and destroy future crop potential. Think of others take only what you can use. Leave the rest for others.
Charge Use Mushroom Permit
How many mushrooms can I harvest?
The Charge Use Product Summary Table shows how many mushrooms you may harvest with Charge Use permit. Remember, raking the duff or litter layer can ruin mushrooms and destroy future crop potential. Think of others take only what you can use. Leave the rest for others.
How much does a permit cost?
Where can I harvest mushrooms
Special Forest Product harvest area maps are free, required, and available at all Gifford Pinchot forest offices and authorized vendors. Pick up your permit and harvest area map before you start harvesting. Collecting mushrooms is prohibited in all Wilderness areas and within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Which mushrooms are safe to eat?
Many wild mushrooms are very poisonous. It takes more information than can be displayed on this page to tell the poisonous mushrooms from the edible varieties. We recommend showing your mushrooms to an expert before attempting to eat any wild mushroom or fungus.
