Pennsylvania Quick Facts
- Personal Use PermitNot required (State/National Forests)
- Best SeasonApril - October
- Top SpeciesMorels, Chanterelles, Hen of Woods
- Key LocationAllegheny NF, State Forests
- State Forests2.2 million acres available
Pennsylvania offers exceptional mushroom foraging with over 2.2 million acres of state forest land and the Allegheny National Forest. The state's diverse hardwood forests produce excellent morels, chanterelles, and fall mushrooms.
Pennsylvania Foraging Regulations
State Forests
Pennsylvania's Bureau of Forestry manages extensive state forest lands:
- Personal use mushroom collection is allowed without a permit
- Over 2.2 million acres across 20 state forests
- Commercial harvesting requires a permit
Major State Forests
Michaux, Bald Eagle, Susquehannock, and Sproul State Forests offer excellent foraging. The Pennsylvania Wilds region in the north-central part of the state is particularly productive.
Allegheny National Forest
The only National Forest in Pennsylvania, covering over 500,000 acres in the northwest. Personal use foraging is allowed without a permit.
State Parks
Pennsylvania State Parks generally allow mushroom foraging for personal use in limited quantities. Check with individual parks for specific rules.
Best Mushrooms in Pennsylvania
Morels
Pennsylvania's morel season runs from late April through May. Old orchards, tulip poplar areas, and ash stands are productive. The Ridge and Valley region is known for good morel hunting.
Chanterelles
Golden chanterelles fruit from July through September in oak-hickory forests. The Allegheny Plateau and Ridge and Valley forests are excellent habitat.
Hen of the Woods (Maitake)
A prized fall mushroom found at the base of oak trees throughout Pennsylvania. Can produce multiple pounds per cluster.
Chicken of the Woods
Common on oak and other hardwoods. An excellent beginner mushroom with no dangerous lookalikes.
Pennsylvania Mushroom Season
| Month | Species | Best Region |
|---|---|---|
| Late April-May | Morels | Ridge and Valley |
| June-July | Early Chanterelles, Chicken of Woods | Statewide |
| August-Sept | Peak Chanterelles | Allegheny Plateau |
| September-October | Hen of Woods, Honey Mushrooms | Statewide |
Track Your Pennsylvania Finds
Use Mushroom Tracker to GPS-tag your spots across PA's vast state forests.
