Morel Mushroom Season - Oregon 2026

Live conditions tracker for morel foraging in Oregon. Burn zone updates, weather data, and optimal timing for Cascade Range, Deschutes National Forest, and Central Oregon.

Season Status: Upcoming (April - July)

Soil Temperature

5°C

Optimal: 10-16°C

Soil Moisture

Excellent

Winter precipitation above average

Cascade Snowpack

125%

Above normal - good moisture

Estimated Start

Early April

Low elevations first

Data sources: NOAA, USFS, Oregon Department of Forestry. Updated: January 26, 2026

2024-2025 Oregon Burn Zones - Prime Morel Territory

Oregon's Cascade Range and eastern forests had significant fire activity. These burn zones will be prime morel hunting grounds in 2026:

Bootleg Fire Area (Klamath County)

400,000+ acres burned in 2021. Now in prime third/fourth year production. Fremont-Winema National Forest access points.

High Potential

Cedar Creek Fire (Lane/Deschutes Counties)

127,000+ acres burned in 2022. Second/third year production expected. Willamette National Forest west side access.

High Potential

Lookout Fire (Lane County)

2023 burn near McKenzie River corridor. First/second year morels expected. Check forest closure status before entry.

Moderate Potential

2024-2025 Eastern Oregon Burns

Various fires in Malheur, Ochoco, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. Scout these areas for first-year burns.

Variable

Oregon Morel Season Timeline 2026

Early April

Low elevation burns and natural morels start appearing. Willamette Valley edges, Coast Range lower slopes. Under 1000ft elevation.

Mid-April to Mid-May

Peak season for mid-elevation Cascade burns. Deschutes NF, Willamette NF lower zones. 2000-4000ft elevation burns become productive.

Late May to Mid-June

High Cascades and Eastern Oregon come online. Bootleg Fire high-elevation zones, Ochoco NF, Blue Mountains. 4000-6000ft burns peak.

Late June to July

Highest elevation burns and northeastern Oregon. Wallowa Mountains, high Cascade passes. Last morels found above 6000ft.

Oregon Morel Foraging Tips

  • USFS requires free personal use permits for mushroom harvesting on National Forest land - get yours at ranger stations
  • Check InciWeb and forest alerts before heading out - some burn areas may have temporary closures for restoration
  • Oregon burn morels fruit prolifically in the 1-3 years post-fire - year two is often peak production
  • East-facing slopes warm earlier in the morning - great for early season scouting trips
  • Central Oregon has less spring rain than the west side - burns may need supplemental moisture to trigger fruiting
  • Commercial harvesting requires separate permits and often has designated areas - personal use limits are typically 1 gallon/day

Other Region Trackers

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Track Your Morel Spots Privately

Use Mushroom Tracker to GPS mark your finds, track conditions over time, and keep your secret spots secure. Works offline in remote burn zones.

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