We’ve recently gotten into mushroom foraging and we were wondering if we’re allowed to forage on our upcoming national park trip. We did some research to find out more.
Of the 59 US National Parks, 46 of them allow some foraging, 34 have quantity restrictions in place, and 13 parks completely ban it. Some parks may require you to obtain a permit before collecting. Some National Parks will completely ban foraging, while others will allow certain berries, mushrooms, and nuts to be collected for human consumption.
Foraging on National Parks land can be a controversial topic for many, and the rules and regulations can vary by the park. Let’s take a closer look at what this means.
Foraging in National Parks
If the National Park you are visiting allows foraging, there will be a certain limit to what can be gathered, the size of the plant, and how much can be taken. This is to preserve the ecosystem and allow it to still grow and thrive as we pick from it.
It’s also common for a park to have a designated area where foraging is only permitted, and some parks may even restrict the consumption of your harvest to only within the park. Foraging is limited to personal use, and generally bans commercial use or selling of your harvest.
Always call ahead to double-check the National Parks’ foraging rules before visiting. The National Park Service can provide you with a list of harvestable plants, and what to stay away from.
Do research beforehand so you can easily spot edible plants and identify poisonous or protected species to stay away from. The last thing you want to do is consume a toxic plant in a remote area, or pick a protected species and get a hefty fine.
Remember to only take what you need, not what you foresee yourself needing later on. You can always come back and take more depending on their quantity restrictions so take a maximum of 10% of a plant from each location.
If you notice a plant has a strange growth, dirty water runoff, or is contaminated by animal droppings, keep looking for another plant.
Can You Forage in National Forests?
Foraging is usually allowed in National Forests but similarly to National Parks, it can vary by location and state. You may be required to pay for a permit or apply for a free permit to harvest in a National Forest but it’s generally easier to go foraging in a National Forest than in other locations.
The reason foraging varies by each location is because every forest and state has a wide range of biodiversity that will require different necessities to thrive. With some National Forests being close to busy cities, it’s common for a National Forest to see more visitors than a more remote forest.
Sometimes the best places for foraging in a forest will require a high-clearance vehicle on a forest road to access the prime spot for different plant species.
You can expect restrictions on the volume, duration, and species of foraging within a forest the same way you would in a National Park. Some species of plants will have more extensive rules due to the different elements of harvesting and the effect it can have on surrounding wildlife.
You can expect more abundant plant species such as berries to have fewer foraging restrictions because they cause little disruption to the environment to pick. A less abundant species or one that requires more labor to pick will often have more regulations because of the environmental impact each harvest causes.
Be sure to pick from multiple plants if you are harvesting an abundant plant like berries. Even if there are fewer quantity restrictions you want to ensure each plant has the chance to regrow what you took.
Before you head out to forage, study the Forest roads and maps and ensure you stay within forest land. Many forests neighbor private property with little to no signs indicating you’re leaving forest land in the backcountry. Trespassing and foraging on private land are illegal.
Can You Forage in State Or City Parks?
States such as California and Arkansas prohibit foraging on almost all state-owned land, meaning most state and city parks completely ban human interference with plant life.
Foraging in state or city parks is a tad more difficult due to the heavier human traffic and how easily accessible it is for the vast majority of people.
On the other hand, states like Hawaii and Alaska welcome foraging through their state and city parks.
Hawaii and Alaska are the exceptions to this because of their remoteness and abundance of plant species. Their state and city parks are usually abundant in plant life and spread out across more land unlike a packed city/state such as New York.
You can expect each state to hold different rules for foraging through state parks because oftentimes they are located close to neighborhoods, roads, and main cities making them a common area for people to gather and enjoy.
If every state allowed for every park to be picked from, it would greatly disturb the ecosystem in place due to the high volume of visitors.
Research the state and park you plan on visiting before collecting any fruits, nuts, or mushrooms to ensure you are not harming the environment and breaking the law.
Foraging usually requires going off the paved path and trekking through plants, and parks are a common area for new plant life to be growing that needs protection from human interaction.
Where Exactly Can You Legally Forage?
As mentioned above, foraging can be legally done in National Parks and Forests, and State and city parks depending on each location and its requirements. Some states may completely ban foraging, while others will have certain areas and plants that allow for it.
If you are curious about the foraging areas around you, a great resource to collect information is ediblewildfood.com. Here you can find out the closest area near you, foraging seasons, and what species of edible wildlife are around you.
I also suggest you take a foraging class to learn about invasive and local species, as well as how to harvest varying plant life. There are many methods for collecting and consuming plant species, and common dos and don’ts for each plant.
If you have done your research and are ready to go foraging, try the Falling Fruit app or website. This interactive map will use your current location to pinpoint the nearest foraging location and what species it offers.
It also provides its exact location and description, quality, and yield. If you are out foraging and find a new area, you can also add to the website for others to explore too.
A general rule of thumb for all foraging is to never take a whole plant. When you are harvesting food, experts advise only taking 1/7 of a plant so there is still plenty left behind to still rejuvenate and thrive.
Remember, what you take not only affects just that plant, it affects every living creature around and the entire ecosystem.
Invasive species will generally have less or little to no restrictions on picking because their abundance causes more harm than good to the local plant life.
Native species will have higher limitations and rules because they take longer to regrow and are a necessity to the surrounding ecosystem.
Recommended
Sources
- https://www.fourseasonforaging.com/blog/2019/3/19/foraging-legality
- https://thinkwoodsy.com/can-you-forage-in-national-forests/
- https://thecounter.org/the-case-for-legalizing-foraging-in-national-parks/#:~:text=Many%20states%E2%80%94including%20Arkansas%20and,all%20foraging%20in%20city%20parks.
- https://www.ediblewildfood.com/