Fall Matsutake Mushroom Harvest Opens September 15

REDDING, Calif., September 15, 2025 — The 2025 harvest season for Matsutake mushrooms opens today, September 15, and runs through November 30 on the Shasta McCloud Management Unit of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Personal use permits are not available for the fall season. A commercial permit is required.

Picking or being in possession of Matsutake mushrooms from national forest lands without a valid permit is illegal and may lead to a citation. The permit holder must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid ID, and fill out the harvest log, keeping track of the dates picking occurs and the pounds harvested. Not doing so may result in a termination of the permit and/or a citation. Forest Service law enforcement officers will be patrolling the harvest areas to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the permits.

Commercial permit purchasing details are as follows:

Rates:

• $5 per day/pound with a 4 consecutive day/20-pound minimum for $20; each additional consecutive day is $5
• 30 consecutive days (or 1 month permit) for $100 with a 100-pound maximum.
• Season permit for $200 for a 200-pound maximum.

Purchasing Location 1: McCloud Ranger Station

• Address: 2019 Forest Road McCloud, CA 96057
• Opening hours: Friday and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Payment accepted: cash or check (payable to USDA FOREST SERVICE)
• Contact: (530) 964-2184

Purchasing Location 2: Mt. Shasta Ranger Station

• Address: 204 W. Alma St. Mt. Shasta, Ca 96067
• Opening hours: Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Payment accepted: credit card, cash or check (payable to USDA FOREST SERVICE)
• Contact: (530) 926-4511

Permits from adjoining forests are not valid on the McCloud or Mount Shasta Ranger Districts, nor will the permit be honored on other national forests. 

To ensure the sustainability of the Matsutake mushroom harvest, each permit has additional conditions and restrictions which are intended to regulate the harvest. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to read and understand those conditions. Please refrain from raking or otherwise disturbing the ground cover when harvesting the mushrooms, which inhibits or prevents future growth in that area, and pack out your trash. 

For more information, visit the forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/shasta-trinity.

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