OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

2020 Commercial Morel Mushroom Gathering

Permits

Permits are required for all commercial mushroom gathering on the Entiat and Methow Valley

Ranger Districts. Individuals are required to have their mushroom permit in their possession at all 

times when gathering mushrooms. 

Commercial permits are available at Entiat and Methow Valley Ranger District offices and the 

forest headquarters during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Washington State 

forest product transportation requirements can be found under RCW 76.48.060 and at 

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=76.48&full=true#76.48.061

To protect sensitive fish habitat, do not walk through rivers, streams, or creeks to access harvesting areas.

To protect valuable cultural resources, do not remove or damage historical items or artifacts found in the 

national forest.

Commercial Mushroom Permit fees are $30 for a 2-day permit, $80 for a 30-day permit or $100 per season.

Seasonal permits are valid May 1 through July 30, 2020.

Personal Use Mushroom Gathering 

Five gallons per day is free. Print free permits and maps from:

fs.usda.gov/goto/okawen/mushroom or contact ranger district offices.

GarbageRemoval All garbage must be removed from National Forest lands for proper disposal unless a 

commercial harvester is camping in a designated camping site where a garbage disposal repository is provided.

Maps Individuals with commercial mushroom harvesting permits will be able to harvest mushrooms only from 

areas listed on ranger district mushroom maps.

Camping Designated camps are available for commercial mushroom harvesters planning to stay 

overnight on National Forest lands in the Entiat and Methow Valley areas. Commercial harvesters are required 

to use these designated camps, which are shown on the attached maps. Commercial harvesters shall not camp within 

200 feet of streams, lakes, riparian areas and other wet areas such as wetlands and meadows (unless the location is 

designated or flagged for harvester use), at trailheads, or trailhead parking areas, or in other high use recreation or 

special use areas. This permit allows the permittee to camp in designated areas only.

Buying & Selling or drying mushrooms is not allowed anywhere on National Forest lands.

Closures

Areas closed to commercial mushroom picking include Wilderness Areas, Research Natural Areas, administrative sites, 

botanical areas, scenic corridors, developed recreation sites, campgrounds, and private property.

Road closures will be in effect within some commercial mushroom harvesting areas. Road closures will remain in place for

areas where hazards exist and to protect soft roadbeds until they dry out.

Motorized Off-Route Travel is not allowed within burned areas. Motorized equipment, including ATVs or motorbikes, is

permitted only on existing roads open to public. All motorized equipment must be street legal.

Get the latest forest news and alerts by texting ‘follow OkaWenNF’ to 40404, 'liking' us on Facebook facebook.com/OkaWenNF

or following us on Twitter @OkaWenNF https://twitter.com/OkaWenNF

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands 

to meet the needs of present and future generations.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
Northwest Forest Pass Required at Some Trailheads

A day use fee is required at many trailheads and day use sites. A valid pass must be displayed on the vehicle windshield when using a

fee site. Passes cost $5 per day or $30 for an annual pass and are available at all national forest offices and some fee sites.

Campfires

Campfire restrictions will be posted on information boards at designated camps and on forest website. If fires are allowed:

• Keep camp or warming fires small

• Build camp or warming fires several feet from overhanging branches, steep slopes, dry grass, logs, rotten stumps, etc.

• Never leave a camp or warming fire unattended

• Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control

• Drown and stir the fire with water until all embers and coals are cool-to-the-touch

• Keep vehicles off dry grass—heat from exhaust systems can ignite fires

Safety

Driving Safety: Many forest roads are single-lane roads. Please travel slowly. Be prepared to encounter vehicles, animals or people

around corners.

Post Fire Hazards:

• Walking: Tread cautiously; the fire may have burned roots creating unseen walking hazards.

• Falling Trees: Trees burned by fire may fall at any time, with no warning; always look up for possible hazards.

THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD — BEWARE!

• Due to flooding potential in burned areas, we recommend commercial mushroom pickers monitor National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Service radio stations. Monitor weather forecasts and be alert for flood

watches and warnings. Be aware of the possibility of flooding from rains upstream of your location. Monitor local radio stations 

for public safety bulletins and flood information. Scan NOAA Weather Radio for real-time weather conditions; these broadcasts

require a scanner or special radio receiver.

EmergencyServices

911 is the local emergency services phone number. Hospitals are located in Omak, Brewster, Chelan, and Wenatchee.

Other Agencies

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will not issue commercial mushroom harvest permits.

Therefore, DNR lands and developed campgrounds are closed to commercial harvesters. Personal use harvest is allowed

without a permit. ATV/ORV travel is allowed on open roads only. ATV/ORV travel off any road, behind gates, or on trails

is strictly prohibited. In undeveloped and dispersed campsites, campfires are prohibited and camping is limited to 10 days. Garbage

– Pack it in – Pack it out. For more information contact DNR at 509-925-8510. 

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) does not allow commercial mushroom harvesting or

camping for commercial harvesters. For more information call 509-575-2740 or 509-754-4624.

Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office: 800-572-6604 

Chelan County Sheriff's Office: 509-667-6875

National Forest Contact Information

Methow Valley Ranger District 

24 W. Chewuch Road, Winthrop, WA 98862; 509-996-4000. Office hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

Chelan Ranger District

428 W. Woodin Ave., Chelan, WA 98816; 509-682-4900. Office hours 8 a.m. to 11:30; 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

Entiat Ranger District

2108 Entiat Way, Entiat, WA 98822; 509-784-4700. Office hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Okanogan-Wenatchee N. F. Headquarters office

215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801; 509-664-9200. Office hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Contact us on the web at: www.fs.usda.gov/okawen