Spring mushroom season gets underway in Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Press release from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Service:

Spring mushroom harvest season opens Tuesday, April 7, 2026, on the Mount Shasta  and McCloud  ranger districts of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and runs through July 31, 2026. While many outdoor enthusiasts take to the forest in spring to enjoy wildflowers, hunt or fish, some venture out in search of wild mushrooms.

Wild mushrooms typically grow under the cover of leaves, dead wood, and other forest debris — quickly emerging after moderate or heavy rain. Among the more popular mushrooms in the area are morels and boletus.

Forest visitors new to harvesting mushrooms should learn how to differentiate between edible and poisonous varieties. Some mushrooms show similar characteristics. Go with someone well versed in these differences.

Harvesting for personal use is free.

• Daily limit: 1 gallon per person, with a seasonal limit of 5 gallons
• Mushrooms harvested for personal use cannot be sold or exchanged
• Mushrooms with a cap diameter of 2 inches or larger must be cut or broken into quarter sections when picked
• Follow the harvest regulations in the incidental use brochure to help future growth

Commercial use permits may be purchased by anyone 18 years or older.

• Permit rates: $1 per pound or 5 pounds for $5 per day
• Minimum commercial use permit: $20 for 20 pounds, valid for four days
• Maximum commercial use permit: $150 for 150 pounds, valid for 29 days
• Additional days: Purchase for $5 per day
• All permits are issued on an individual basis and not valid on private land.

Please note, do not rake ground litter. It destroys the mushroom beds and takes a long time for them to recover. Also, please be courteous to other pickers, packing out what garbage you pack in. Be light on the land, especially when roadways and trails are wet and muddy. Use caution when traveling on Forest System roads — watch for fallen trees and road surface damage and overhead hazards when walking through the woods.

For more information about safe types of mushrooms and safe harvesting methods, contact the McCloud Ranger Station at (530) 964-2184 or the Mount Shasta Ranger Station at (530) 926-4511.

Photo by Tarikul Raana on Unsplash