National Forest Opening Soon For Morel Mushroom Harvest

Morel Mushroom commercial and personal use harvest permits will go on sale May 2, 2022.

Robin DeMario with the National Forest says commercial mushroom hunting permits are available for purchase at Forest Service offices in Winthrop, Chelan, Cle Elum and Naches. "Folks who plan to commercially harvest mushrooms from the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forest can purchase their permit to do so starting May 2. There are only a couple of areas in the forest that will be open for commercial mushroom harvests."

Two-day permits cost $30.00, a 30-day permit is $80.00, and a season permit is $100.00. The season runs from May 2-through July 31.

DeMario says that personal use pickers can hunt Morels for free, but they must print off and carry a copy of Free Incidental Use Mushroom Information Sheet, and the mushrooms cannot be sold. "Folks who plan to collect mushrooms for their own personal use can collect up to 5 gallons per day per person from the National Forest. They have to use them for their own use, for their family's use, they cannot sell them." The Twenty-five mile fire area on the Chelan Ranger District will be open for non-commercial-personal mushroom harvesting only.

There are three designated overnight camping areas set up for commercial mushroom harvesters in the Methow Ranger District, (Eight Mile dispersed camping on the west edge of Cub Creek 2 burn area, Cedar Creek gravel pit-north edge of Cedar Creek burn area, and Thompson Ridge gravel pit-south of the Cedar Creek burn area west of Twisp.) Commercial mushroom harvesters are prohibited from camping in developed campgrounds, at trailheads, trailhead parking areas, and other high use recreation or special use areas.

The information sheet can be printed off at the forest website: https://go.usa.gov/xQ3YJ and is also available at local forest offices.

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