Plenty of edible mushrooms grow wild in New York, from big, meaty ones to small ones with delicate caps. Hen of the woods has a ruffled surface that blends into the base of old trees, while the velvet foot sticks to decaying logs in cold weather.

Some of the mushrooms you find might only grow for a few days before disappearing. Others pop up in grassy areas and look almost too clean to be wild. Their short growing windows make them easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

There are more edible mushrooms waiting than you might expect, each tied to small changes in weather or terrain. Knowing what to watch for can make the difference between going home empty-handed or carrying a basket full of delicious mushrooms.

What We Cover In This Article:

• The Edible Mushrooms Found in the State
• Mushroom Lookalikes to Avoid
• Our Best Tips For Finding Edible Mushrooms
• Proven Locations For Foraging Mushrooms
• The Best Times of Year to Look

The Edible Mushrooms Found in the State

Many types of edible mushrooms grow across the state, depending on the region and time of year. Some are easy to recognize, while others require a more experienced eye.

These are some of the most sought-after edible mushrooms that grow in different parts of the state:

Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)

Shaggy mane mushrooms are also known as lawyer’s wig thanks to their tall, cylindrical caps covered in shaggy white scales. They often appear in lawns, meadows, or along roadsides and are most common after rain in cooler months.

These mushrooms are easy to recognize when fresh, but they quickly start to “melt” into a black, inky liquid as they age. That process, called deliquescence, is one of the main features that separates them from lookalikes like the inedible inky caps which are usually smaller and darker from the start.

Shaggy manes have a mild, pleasant flavor and a tender texture when cooked, but they don’t store well so you’ll want to use them the same day you pick them. Many people enjoy them sautéed, added to omelets, or mixed into cream-based sauces.

You shouldn’t eat shaggy manes with alcohol, since some people report reactions similar to those caused by certain inky caps. They’re one of the few mushrooms that actually taste best before the cap opens fully, so harvest them while they still look like white rockets.

Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)

Golden chanterelles, also known as egg yolk mushrooms or forest gold, have a bright yellow to orange color with a funnel-shaped cap and thick, wavy edges. You’ll notice that the underside has shallow ridges instead of true gills, and they run down the stem.

A few toxic mushrooms look similar, including the jack-o’-lantern mushroom, which grows in clusters and has true gills that don’t fork or run down the stem. If you rub a chanterelle and it smells fruity or like apricots, that’s a good sign you’ve got the real thing.

The taste is mild, earthy, and a little peppery, with a firm but smooth texture that holds up well in cooking. Chanterelles are often sautéed in butter, added to cream sauces, or used in soups and egg dishes.

They don’t dry well, so you’ll want to use them fresh, or store them briefly in the fridge wrapped in paper. These mushrooms often grow in the same spots year after year, so if you find a patch, it’s worth checking again the next season.

Black Trumpet (Craterellus fallax)

Black trumpet mushrooms are also known as horn of plenty, trumpet of death, and black chanterelle. They have thin, wavy edges and a hollow, funnel-shaped body that’s usually charcoal to sooty black in color.

They don’t have gills, which helps you tell them apart from toxic lookalikes like some species of Omphalotus. The inner surface is smooth or slightly wrinkled, and the outer surface often looks dry and velvety.

They have a rich, earthy flavor with a smoky, almost nutty aroma when dried. Their texture is delicate when fresh and slightly chewy once cooked, which makes them great in pasta, soups, and risottos.

A lot of people prefer to dry black trumpets because it intensifies the flavor and makes them easy to store. Just pay more attention when collecting them, since their dark color makes them easy to miss on the forest floor.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa)

Maitake, also called hen of the woods, grows in large, clustered rosettes that look like fluffed-out feathers. The caps are soft and grayish brown, while the underside has tiny white pores instead of gills.

It has a savory, earthy flavor with a firm texture that holds up well in cooking. People often sauté it, roast it, or add it to soups and stir-fries for its meaty quality.

There are some polypores that grow in similar shapes, like black-staining polypore, but those are much tougher and don’t have the same layered structure. Maitake tends to grow at the base of oak trees and can get quite large, sometimes weighing several pounds.

This mushroom is also used in some traditional wellness practices and is being studied for its possible immune-supporting properties. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly, as eating large amounts raw can upset your stomach.

Yellow Morel (Morchella americana)

Yellow morels, also called American morels or blond morels, are known for their honeycomb caps and pale yellow to tan coloring. They grow taller and more narrowly than common morels and tend to have deeper pits between the ridges on their caps.

Compared to common morels, which often appear rounder and darker, yellow morels have a lighter, more golden tone and a more elongated shape. Both are hollow inside, but yellow morels are usually a bit more fragile when handled.

You’ll want to be careful not to confuse them with false morels, like those in the Gyromitra genus, which can be toxic. False morels often have wrinkled or lobed caps rather than the distinct honeycomb structure, and they aren’t fully hollow.

In the kitchen, yellow morels have a rich, nutty flavor and a firm yet spongy texture that holds up well in sautés or cream-based dishes. They’re usually cooked fresh, but some people also dry them to use in soups and sauces later on.

Cinnabar Chanterelle (Cantharellus cinnabarinus)

The cinnabar chanterelle, sometimes just called cinnabar or red chanterelle, stands out for its bright reddish-orange color. It’s a small mushroom with a wrinkled, vase-like cap and false gills that run down a short, sturdy stem.

One of the easiest ways to recognize it is by its color, but you should also pay close attention to the blunt, forked ridges instead of sharp gills. A few toxic lookalikes like the jack-o’-lantern mushroom are much larger and have true gills rather than ridges.

Its flavor is mild and slightly fruity, and the texture holds up well in cooking. You can sauté it, add it to pasta, or include it in a mixed mushroom dish without it getting lost.

These mushrooms don’t need a lot of seasoning and are best cooked simply so their natural flavor can come through. Some people dry them, but they’re usually better fresh because their texture can get too tough when rehydrated.

Yellowfoot (Craterellus tubaeformis)

You might hear yellowfoot mushrooms called winter chanterelles or funnel chanterelles. They’re slender and trumpet-shaped, with brownish caps that curl inward and hollow yellow stems that help them stand out on the forest floor.

They’re often confused with some brownish Omphalotus or Galerina species, which are toxic, but yellowfoot have blunt-edged false gills that look more like wrinkles than true gills. Always double-check that the cap is smooth and the stem is hollow before collecting them.

Yellowfoot mushrooms have a delicate, fruity aroma and a mild, earthy flavor that holds up well in soups, risottos, and sautés. Their thin texture means they dry quickly and rehydrate easily, making them great for storing and using later.

These mushrooms often grow in clusters in damp conifer forests, especially during cooler months when other edible mushrooms are hard to find. If you’re out foraging and come across a patch, you’ll usually find a lot more nearby, so they’re worth seeking out.

Hedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum repandum)

Hedgehog mushrooms are also called sweet tooth mushrooms, and they’re one of the easiest wild mushrooms to recognize. Instead of gills, the underside of the cap has soft, pale spines that resemble tiny teeth.

They’re usually creamy to light orange in color with thick, firm stems and a cap that can be wavy or lopsided. You’ll often find them growing in loose groups in mixed woodlands during the cooler months.

Their flavor is nutty and a little bit sweet, and the texture stays pleasantly firm even after cooking. They hold up well in sautés, stews, and even dry well for long-term storage without losing too much flavor.

Hedgehog mushrooms don’t have many toxic lookalikes, but you should still make sure you see those signature spines before collecting. They’re a great beginner-friendly mushroom and tend to be overlooked, which means you’re more likely to find some even in spots that have already been picked over.

Comb Tooth (Hericium coralloides)

Comb tooth mushrooms are sometimes called coral tooth or cascading hedgehog, and they really do look like a frozen waterfall of white icicles. Each branch is covered in soft, dangling spines that hang downward in delicate clusters.

There are very few lookalikes, but it’s important not to confuse this with decaying white fungus or certain mold-like growths that form on rotting wood. Comb tooth always grows in an organized, coral-like pattern, and the spines should feel soft, never slimy.

When cooked, this mushroom has a texture similar to crab or scallops and takes on a mild, nutty flavor. It holds up well in stir-fries, soups, or even sliced thick and seared like seafood.

Some people dehydrate comb tooth to preserve it, while others freeze it after lightly sautéing. It’s also been studied for its potential benefits to nerve health, though it’s mainly prized for its taste and texture.

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Oyster mushrooms are also called tree oysters or pearl oysters, and they’re known for their wide, shelf-like caps that resemble oyster shells. They usually grow in clusters on dead or dying hardwood and come in shades of white, gray, or pale brown, with creamy white gills that run down the stem.

You can recognize them by their smooth, fan-shaped caps and their mild, anise-like scent. One common lookalike is the toxic jack-o’-lantern mushroom, which grows in clumps like oysters but has orange coloring and glows faintly in the dark.

Oyster mushrooms have a soft, slightly chewy texture and a delicate, savory flavor that works well in stir-fries, soups, or simply sautéed in butter. They’re also good for drying or freezing, and some people pickle them to enjoy later in the season.

These mushrooms are used in some parts of the world for medicinal purposes and even in research for breaking down pollutants. While they’re generally safe to eat, they can cause digestive issues in some people if undercooked, so make sure to cook them thoroughly before eating.

Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)

Chicken of the woods is also called sulfur shelf or chicken mushroom, and it’s hard to miss with its bright orange and yellow shelves growing on tree trunks. It usually grows in overlapping clusters and can get quite large, often covering whole sections of wood.

The texture is tender when young and becomes tougher as it ages, so try to harvest it early. It has a mild, meaty flavor that many people say reminds them of chicken, especially when cooked.

Make sure to watch out for lookalikes like the jack-o’-lantern mushroom, which also grows on wood and has an orange color. The big difference is that jack-o’-lanterns have gills rather than pores underneath and can cause serious stomach issues if eaten.

People usually sauté or fry chicken of the woods, but it can also be frozen after cooking for later use. Some people have mild reactions to it, especially when it’s old or eaten raw, so start with a small amount if it’s your first time.

Dryad’s Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus)

Dryad’s saddle, also called pheasant back, is a large bracket fungus with a tan cap covered in dark brown scales. The cap often grows in overlapping clusters and can reach over a foot wide when mature.

You’ll recognize it by its thick white flesh and strong scent, often compared to watermelon rind or cucumber. Unlike true gilled mushrooms, it has a porous underside with tiny, maze-like openings.

When it’s young and tender, dryad’s saddle has a pleasant, nutty flavor and a firm, meaty texture. Most people slice it thin and sauté it, but it also works well in soups or dried for later use.

Avoid older specimens since they become woody and nearly impossible to chew. While there aren’t many toxic lookalikes, the texture of dryad’s saddle is a good indicator—if it’s rubbery or tough, it’s best left alone.

Morel (Morchella esculenta)

Morel mushrooms, also called sponge mushrooms or dryland fish, have a honeycomb-like cap that looks pitted and ridged. The cap is fully attached to the stem and both are hollow from top to bottom when sliced open.

Some mushrooms that look like morels, such as false morels, can be toxic. The real ones have a cap that’s attached at the base and never hangs free like many of the dangerous lookalikes.

Morels have a rich, nutty flavor and a meaty texture that holds up well in sautés or creamy sauces. You can dry them and rehydrate later, which keeps the flavor strong and makes them last a long time.

Always cook morels before eating them because raw ones can cause stomach issues. They’re a prized seasonal treat, and part of what makes them special is how briefly they appear each spring.

Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)

Puffball mushrooms, also called giant puffballs, look like big white balls sitting in the grass. They can grow larger than a soccer ball and have smooth, rounded exteriors with no visible gills or stems when sliced open.

To safely identify one, cut it in half vertically. The inside should be pure white and solid all the way through, with no signs of gills, caps, or any developing mushroom shape.

They have a mild, earthy flavor and a soft texture when cooked. People usually slice and pan-fry them, or use them in soups and egg dishes for a meaty texture.

Be cautious not to confuse them with immature Amanita mushrooms, which are deadly. Any puffball with a developing cap or that isn’t pure white inside should be avoided completely.

Gem-Studded Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)

The gem-studded puffball, also known as the common puffball or warted puffball, has a rounded white shape covered in tiny spiny bumps that rub off easily. It’s usually about the size of a golf ball, and when young, the inside is solid white and firm to the touch.

Once it starts to age and turn yellow or brown inside, it’s no longer good to eat. A toxic lookalike to watch out for is the immature form of the deadly amanita, which can also be round and white when young but has a developing cap and stem structure inside if sliced open.

The flavor is mild and earthy, and the texture is soft when cooked. Most people sauté it fresh, slice it into soups, or coat it in batter and fry it like nuggets.

Always make sure the interior is pure white before cooking. This mushroom is edible only in its young stage, and once it matures and fills with dark spores, it should be avoided.

Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis americana)

You might hear cauliflower mushrooms called wood cauliflower or noodle mushroom, and they really live up to those names. They grow in large, tangled clumps that look like ruffled egg noodles or a big head of cauliflower, usually near the base of conifers.

It’s pretty hard to mistake this one once you’ve seen it, but some beginners confuse it with old or decaying coral fungi, which are usually more brittle and branch-like. Cauliflower mushrooms have a soft, flexible feel and a pale cream to yellowish color that stays consistent as they mature.

When you cook it, it has a slightly nutty, mild flavor with a texture that stays pleasantly chewy. Most people sauté it or add it to soups, but it also dehydrates well if you want to save some for later.

Before you cook it, make sure to clean it well because dirt and bugs like to hide deep in the folds. It’s a fun one to forage, not just because of the taste, but because the clusters can get surprisingly large, sometimes weighing several pounds.

Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda)

Wood blewits are often called blewits or blue-legs, and they stand out thanks to their pale lilac to violet caps and matching stems. As they age, the colors fade to a duller tan, but the hint of purple often remains on the gills and stem base.

You’ll want to be careful not to confuse them with some Cortinarius species, which can also have purplish tones but often have rusty brown spores and a cobweb-like veil. The spore print is a reliable way to tell them apart—wood blewits leave a pale pink print, while the toxic Cortinarius species tend to leave rusty brown ones.

Blewits have a rich, earthy flavor and a dense, meaty texture that holds up well in sautés, soups, and sauces. They’re usually cooked right after harvesting or stored in the fridge for a few days, but they can also be dried or frozen after cooking.

It’s important to cook blewits thoroughly, as they can cause stomach upset if eaten raw. Some people are also sensitive to them even when cooked, so try a small amount the first time just to be safe.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion’s mane, also called bearded tooth or pom pom mushroom, is easy to spot thanks to its cascading white spines that look a bit like a frozen waterfall. It usually grows on dead or dying hardwood trees and forms round, shaggy clumps that almost glow against the bark.

If you’re checking for lookalikes, you might run into other Hericium species like bear’s head or comb tooth, but none of them are toxic. Just make sure the spines are soft, white, and at least a quarter inch long, and avoid anything discolored or slimy.

Lion’s mane has a firm, meaty texture and a mild flavor that some people say reminds them of seafood, especially crab or lobster. You can sauté it, roast it, or even shred it as a meat substitute in sandwiches and tacos.

Some people also dry lion’s mane or take it as a supplement, since it’s being studied for possible benefits to memory and focus. There aren’t any serious safety concerns with eating it, but it’s still best to cook it thoroughly and start with a small amount the first time.

Velvet Foot (Flammulina velutipes)

Wild Enoki mushrooms are also called velvet foot or golden needle mushrooms, and they’re easy to recognize once you know what to look for. They grow in tight clusters with long, thin white stems and small white or pale brown caps that stay rounded even when mature.

One of the easiest ways to tell enoki apart from dangerous lookalikes is its growth habit and the environment it’s found in. The wild version has darker caps and grows on decaying hardwood, while the cultivated kind is paler and grown in low-light conditions to keep it white and slender.

These mushrooms have a crisp texture when raw and stay slightly crunchy even after cooking. You’ll often find them in soups, stir-fries, hot pots, or lightly sautéed, and they also work well in cold dishes like salads.

Wild enoki can be confused with a toxic mushroom called the funeral bell, so it’s best to forage only if you’re absolutely sure of what you’re picking. If you’re foraging, be careful to check for key traits like the smooth white stem, the tightly packed cluster, and the white spore print to avoid any dangerous mix-ups.

Wine Cap (Stropharia rugosoannulata)

Wine caps are also called king stropharia, garden giants, and burgundy caps. They grow large and meaty, with a deep reddish-purple cap, thick white stalk, and a distinctive raised ring near the top of the stem.

These mushrooms can be confused with some Cortinarius species that have rust-colored spores and lack the distinct white gills of wine caps. Always check the spore print, which should be a dark purplish-brown for wine caps.

While they’re generally safe to eat, it’s important to harvest wine caps young before the caps flatten and decay.

They have a mild, earthy flavor and a firm, slightly crunchy texture that holds up well when cooked. People often sauté them, roast them, or add them to soups and stir-fries.

Wine caps are sometimes used in permaculture and garden beds because they help break down wood chips and improve soil quality.

Edible Mushroom Lookalikes to Avoid

It’s easy to confuse edible mushroom species with toxic ones that look surprisingly similar. Here’s a rundown of common mushroom lookalikes that you should learn to recognize and avoid.

Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)

Often mistaken for: Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea)

This deadly mushroom isn’t native but has naturalized in several parts of the US, especially California. It has a pale greenish or yellowish mushroom with a smooth, rounded cap and white gills underneath. It has a bulbous base often hidden underground and a delicate, skirt-like ring around the upper stem.

What makes the death cap dangerous is its amatoxins, which can cause liver and kidney failure even in small amounts. Symptoms may not show up for hours, and by then, serious damage may already be done—making this one of the deadliest mushrooms in the country.

False Morel (Gyromitra spp.)

Often mistaken for: True morels (Morchella spp.)

False morels have wrinkled, lobed caps that look a bit like a brain or saddle, often reddish-brown or dark chestnut in color. Unlike true morels, their caps are usually irregular and hang over a thick, sometimes chambered stem.

These mushrooms contain toxic compounds like gyromitrin, which can turn into a chemical used in rocket fuel once inside the body. Eating them can lead to nausea, dizziness, seizures, or even liver failure in severe cases.

Jack-O’-Lantern (Omphalotus illudens)

Often mistaken for: Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp.)

The jack-o’-lantern is a bright orange mushroom that grows in tight clusters, usually on decaying wood or buried tree roots. Its gills run down the stem and sometimes glow faintly in the dark due to natural bioluminescence.

These mushrooms are toxic and can cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. While not deadly, the symptoms can last for more than a day and are intense enough to require medical attention.

Green-Spored Parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites)

Often mistaken for: Meadow mushrooms (Agaricus campestris)

The green-spored parasol is a large, white mushroom with a wide, flat cap covered in brownish scales and a thick stem with a noticeable ring. When mature, its gills turn grayish-green and drop a green spore print, which is one of its most recognizable features.

This mushroom is toxic and causes intense gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea that can last for hours. While not fatal, it’s one of the most commonly reported causes of mushroom poisoning in the United States.

Eastern Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera)

Often mistaken for: Young button mushrooms (Agaricus spp.)

The eastern destroying angel is a pure white mushroom with a smooth cap, white gills, and a slender stem that ends in a swollen base wrapped in a cup-like sac. It also has a thin ring near the upper part of the stem, a feature common to many toxic Amanitas.

What makes this mushroom so dangerous is its amatoxins, which attack the liver and kidneys and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Just one cap is enough to cause severe organ failure, and symptoms may take hours to appear.

Lilac Brown Cort (Cortinarius traganus)

Often mistaken for: Blewits (Lepista nuda)

The lilac brown cort is a stocky mushroom with a violet to lilac cap that fades to brown as it ages, and a thick stem that often has rusty streaks from its spore dust. It gives off a strong, unpleasant odor that’s sometimes described to be similar to rotting laundry or rubber.

This mushroom is inedible and potentially toxic, with compounds that may harm the kidneys over time. It’s not considered deadly, but eating it can lead to serious long-term health problems if consumed in quantity.

Pigskin Poison Puffball (Scleroderma citrinum)

Often mistaken for: Common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)

The pigskin poison puffball is a round, tough-skinned mushroom with a warty, speckled surface that can be yellowish to brown. When cut open, the inside is dark purplish-black, even when young, and never pure white.

This mushroom is inedible and toxic, causing nausea, vomiting, and other digestive issues if eaten. The name “pigskin” is fitting—it’s thick, rubbery, and a good sign to leave it alone.

How to Find Edible Mushrooms in the State

Knowing how to recognize promising habitats is key to finding edible species consistently. Different mushrooms prefer different environments, so understanding regional ecosystems, seasonal shifts, and habitat markers can help you locate fruitful spots faster.

Focus on Hardwoods and Conifers

Many prized edible mushrooms grow in symbiosis with certain trees. Morels, for example, are often found near dead or dying elms, ash, sycamores, or old apple orchards. Chanterelles favor hardwood forests with oaks and beeches, while porcini are commonly linked to pines and spruces.

Mixed woodlands tend to offer the most variety. Areas with both conifers and deciduous trees often support overlapping species that fruit in different parts of the season. Pay attention to forest age as well, as mature woods with minimal underbrush are generally more productive than overgrown thickets.

Look Near Moss, Leaf Litter, and Stream Banks

Moisture plays a big role in where mushrooms fruit. Low-lying areas that retain water but don’t flood are especially good after recent rains. Mossy patches, seeps, and forested stream banks often support dense flushes of mushrooms. However, too much standing water or swampy terrain can favor molds and rot rather than edible fungi.

Look for slopes that receive filtered sunlight and have leaf litter, decaying wood, and rich soil. These spots hold humidity well without being saturated. South-facing hillsides may dry out too quickly, while north-facing ones tend to stay cool and damp longer.

Look in Burn Sites, Logging Sites, and Old Homesteads

Some mushrooms thrive in disturbed habitats. Morels in particular often appear in the first or second spring after a forest fire. Burned pine or mixed conifer areas in the Western US are well-known hotspots for black morels. Logging areas, floodplains, and even old homesteads with disturbed soil can also produce mushrooms.

Search around the edges of burned zones rather than in the center. Slightly scorched areas with remaining tree cover tend to be the most productive. Keep in mind that some species that fruit in disturbed areas appear quickly and then disappear just as fast.

Foraging isn’t just a pastime—it’s a skill that can help you get through the unexpected. Knowing how to forage for survival can turn wild plants into life-saving resources.

Track Rain and Temperature to Time Your Hunt

Timing is everything in mushroom foraging. Coastal states like California and Oregon may see chanterelles and hedgehogs during the wet winter months, while morels appear in springtime across much of the Midwest and Northeast. In mountainous regions, elevation plays a major role—start low in early spring and move higher as the season progresses.

Snowmelt often triggers fruiting in alpine zones. In places like Colorado or Utah, late spring and early summer are ideal for high-altitude species. Track temperature and rainfall patterns to adjust your search elevation accordingly.

You can find more wild spring edibles that are some of the first—and best—plants to forage each year.

Search Along Forest Borders, Fallen Logs, and Game Paths

The edge between two environments, like a forest meeting a meadow, is often more productive than either area alone. These transition zones create a variety of light, moisture, and soil conditions that support different fungi. Old trails, game paths, and fallen logs also form microhabitats worth checking.

Keep an eye out for subtle clues like insect activity, animal scat, or clusters of saplings—these often indicate rich, undisturbed organic matter below. Fungi thrive where decay, diversity, and moisture converge, so train yourself to spot those overlaps.

Start With Familiar Mushroom Species

If you’re just starting out, pick one or two edible mushrooms that grow in your region and take the time to study them closely. Learn how they look in different stages of growth, what kind of environments they prefer, and what other mushrooms they might be confused with.

Don’t rely on just one photo or app to make an identification. Use field guides, online forums, and regional books together to cross-check what you’ve found and avoid mistakes.

These easy-to-identify edible mushrooms are easiest to spot and safest to harvest.

Learn the Right Tools and Techniques for Mushroom ID

Accurate mushroom identification takes more than a quick glance or a smartphone scan. Learn how to take spore prints and pay close attention to gill attachment, cap texture, stem shape, and color changes.

Some mushrooms look nearly identical but differ in key microscopic or structural details. Old myths like “if animals eat it, it’s safe” or “white mushrooms aren’t poisonous” can lead to serious mistakes and should never be trusted.

A few simple foraging tools can help you gather more, damage less, and stay prepared in the field.

Only Eat Mushrooms You Can Identify With Absolute Certainty

If you’re not completely sure about a mushroom, it’s best to leave it behind. A single bite of the wrong species can lead to serious illness or even be fatal.

Many toxic mushrooms closely mimic popular edible ones, and the differences can be subtle. Learn which poisonous species grow in your area so you can recognize them before you ever pick.

Forage Away from Roads, Lawns, and Industrial Sites

Mushrooms can soak up heavy metals, pesticides, and other pollutants from the ground where they grow. Stay away from roadsides, treated lawns, or any area near industrial activity.

If you choose to eat foraged mushrooms, always save a few raw pieces in a paper bag in the fridge. This can help doctors quickly identify the species if you start to feel sick.

You don’t have to go too far if you want to forage safely. You might be surprised how many edible suburban plants are hiding in plain sight around your neighborhood.

Check Local Foraging Rules Before You Start Collecting

Before collecting mushrooms, make sure to check the rules for the area you’re in—some public lands allow foraging, while others don’t. Regulations can vary widely between parks, forests, and preserves.

Spending time with experienced foragers can teach you things that books and photos don’t show. Local mushroom clubs and guided walks are great ways to build your skills and confidence.

A little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to safely harvesting wild food.

Best Locations for Edible Mushrooms in the State

Some of the best spots for edible mushrooms are tied to very specific conditions. Knowing where to look and what typically grows in different locations can help narrow down your search.

Here are more of the state’s edible mushrooms and where you’re most likely to find them:

Peak Mushroom Seasons

Mushroom seasons follow familiar patterns, but timing still depends heavily on local conditions. Soil moisture, temperature swings, and even wind patterns can all influence when species start to fruit.

Year-round

Spring

As temperatures rise and moisture returns, a variety of edible mushrooms begin to fruit in forests and fields:

Summer

Summer foraging can be productive, with certain mushrooms favoring the warmer conditions of the season:

Fall

Fall is a great season for many edible mushrooms, with cool temperatures and steady moisture creating ideal conditions:

Winter

While many species go dormant, a few hardy mushrooms can still be found in the woods during winter: