In Alaska’s rugged landscapes, nature’s pantry is brimming with delicious fungi waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re drawn to the thrill of foraging or simply curious about what’s available on the floors of the 49th state, we’re here to help. In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about foraging Mushrooms in Alaska, which ones are okay to eat, poisonous, and a few that are questionable. So join us as we uncover Alaska’s edible mushrooms.
My Experience with Edible Mushrooms in Alaska
Throughout my many years of working in Alaskan television I have been apart of many different hunts. Deer hunts, bear hunts, caribou hunts, and even the odd mushroom hunt, even if that wasn’t the target species at the beginning of the day.
As any hunter knows, the hunted don’t always cooperate, especially when there’s a cameraperson following them. So what usually happens is that at some point, an eager producer or a self conscious cast member becomes desperate for a “tv moment”. Cue the secret mushroom patch scene were our fearless hunting comes across a beautiful patch of golden chanterelles. “I might not be eating venison tonight, but at least I had fungi“.
I honestly don’t know how many times I’ve shot a scene about finding mushrooms in Alaska, certainly more than the network ever decides to air. Regardless it’s always a fun snippet of life in the last frontier, and a delicious reward for walking around in the woods all day.
Mushrooms in Alaska Guide
Foraging for Mushrooms in Alaska
Foraging for edible mushrooms in Alaska offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the bounty of the Last Frontier. By following these tips and exercising caution, you can safely explore the exciting world of wild mushrooms while preserving the natural beauty of Alaska’s wilderness. Happy foraging!
Research and Education
You’re here so you’re taking the first and most important step. Familiarizing yourself with the edible varieties of mushrooms found in Alaska and learning how to accurately identify them. After reading this article, consider joining a local mycological club or taking a mushroom identification course. While we used trusted guides and government documents to make this list, it’s important to be absolutley positive about what mushrooms you are consuming.
Location and Habitat
Mushrooms have specific habitat requirements, so it’s essential to know where to look. Explore diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and alpine regions, keep a log/journal and pay attention to environmental factors such as soil type, moisture levels, and tree species. To help, we’ve provided some info on when and where Alaskan mushrooms grow.
Safety First
Always err on the side of caution when foraging for mushrooms in Alaska. Some species can be toxic or even deadly if ingested. Never consume a mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identification, and when in doubt, just let it be bro!
Pacific Gold Chanterelle (Cantharellus Formosus)
Golden Chanterelles are my personal favorite wild mushroom to eat in Alaska. And I’m not alone, they are prized for their delicate flavor, fruity aroma, and vibrant golden-yellow color. Golden Chanterelles typically grow in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, often appearing in the fall during damp conditions. They are characterized by their funnel-shaped caps with wavy, irregular edges and ridges instead of true gills underneath. The cap surface is smooth and often slightly fuzzy when young.
Some folks describe these mushrooms as having a fruity aroma, reminiscent of apricots or peaches.Personally I don’t get that aroma, but I smoked a lot of cigarettes growing up, so I dunno.
Yellow Foot (Craterellus Tubaeformis)
Winter Chanterelle, also known as Yellow Foot, is a cherished wild mushroom in Alaska. Found in coastal rainforests during late summer into early winter. Like most mushrooms in Alaska, it thrives in cool, moist conditions. Recognizable by its bright yellow-orange color and trumpet-like shape, it offers a fruity, peppery taste.
Alaskan Scaber-Stalk (Leccinum Alaskanum)
The Alaskan Scaber-Stalk mushrooms are typically found under birch or spruce trees in mossy areas. The mushrooms are characterized by their distinctive appearance, featuring a grayish brown cap with dirty looking stems covered in tiny black dots. While Alaskan Scaber-Stalk mushrooms are considered edible by some foragers, they are not as widely consumed as other mushroom species. Some folks report having severe stomach issues while others say they taste fine dehydrated. I suppose the jury is still out on this Alaskan mushroom.
Gray Fire Morel (Morchella Tomentosa)
The Gray fire morels, also known as fire morels or ash morels, are a sought after species of mushroom found in Alaska. These distinctive fungi typically appear in the aftermath of forest fires, often emerging in burnt areas with ash-rich soil. They are known for their unique appearance, with a gray or blackish cap covered in a network of ridges and pits.
In Alaska, gray fire morels typically begin to appear in late spring or early summer. They can be found in a variety of cool moist forested habitats, such as mixed coniferous and deciduous forests.
Many folks consider gray fire morels to be choice fungi. Folks claim they are nutty, meaty, and even slightly smoky, which makes sense. Even so most people still don’t regard them as highly as other morel species. Perhaps ignorance but likely just preference.
King Bolete (Boletus Edulis)
The King Bolete, also known as Boletus edulis, is a prized wild mushroom found in Alaska’s forests. Recognized for its delicious taste and meaty texture, this mushroom features a large, convex cap ranging from light brown to reddish-brown. It grows in mixed birch and spruce forests, typically appearing during the summer and fall months. The King Bolete may be the most sought after mushroom in Alaska. It is certainly a favorite among foragers and chefs for its nutty, creamy flavor.
Don’t mix them up with red bolete’s, which should be easy, they’re red.
Admirable Bolete (Boletus Mirabilis)
The Admirable Bolete can often be found fruiting on hemlock wood in areas with well-drained soil and ample moisture. It typically fruits during the summer and fall months, emerging from the forest floor in solitary or small clusters.
This bolete mushroom is easily recognizable by its striking appearance, featuring a convex to flat cap with a velvety texture and a range of colors from reddish-brown to dark brown. The cap surface may display intricate patterns or wrinkles, adding to its allure. The Admirable Bolete is highly regarded for its culinary qualities, prized for its firm mild lemony flavor.
Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus Sulphureus)
The Chicken of the woods mushrooms are a vibrant fungi commonly found in Alaska’s forests. While I always thought they were named for looking like a roosters wattle, folks swear they have a lemony, chicken taste. Naturally this makes them a popular choice among foragers. Chicken of the woods mushrooms typically grow in large, shelf-like clusters on the trunks or stumps of trees during late summer in Alaska.
They are easily recognizable by their bright orange to yellowish-orange caps and lack of gills. Their underside is smooth and pore covered. When foraging for chicken of the woods mushrooms, it’s essential to harvest them when they are young and tender, as older specimens can become tough and inedible.
Wood Hedgehog Mushrooms (Hydnum Repandum)
This mushroom is highly regarded in Alaska for its unique appearance, featuring a convex to flattened cap with tooth-like spines on the underside. They typically grow in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, often appearing in late summer or early fall. They are characterized by their orangish to brownish caps, which range in diameter from 5 to 15 centimeters. The cap surface is smooth and often slightly sticky when moist.
One of the most distinguishing features of the Wood Hedgehog Mushroom is its toothed underside, which resembles the spines of a hedgehog. These teeth are soft and edible, with a mild, nutty flavor with a slightly peppery taste.
Bear’s Head (Hericium Abietis)
The Bear’s head mushrooms, are intriguing fungi occasionally found in Alaska’s forests. They shoot out branches of dangling icicle-like spines, perhaps resembling the mane of a bear? They typically grow on dead or dying conifer trees after the first fall rains. This mushroom turns yellow as it matures.
They are highly prized by foragers for their unique texture and flavor, which is often described as delicate, with a mild, slightly sweet taste reminiscent of crabs. Bring on the butter!
Other Edible Mushrooms in Alaska
The following mushrooms might not be the most tasty fungi in Alaska, but they are technically edible, so we figured we’d include them in case you were curious and want to find out for yourself. Enjoy and let us know what you think.
Black Chanterelle (Craterellus Cornucopioides)
Distinctive and striking, the Blue Chanterelle is a rare treat for the eyes, typically appearing in late summer or early fall, or freaking never in my case. It grows in tight-packed, wavy-edged clusters under spruce trees, as far north as the Chugach National Forest. When it comes to taste there’s a bit of a dispute. Many claim these chanterelle are a unique and tasty edible, while others disagree, perhaps to discourage folks from foraging the rare fungi?
The Gypsy (Cortinarius Caperatus)
Cortinarius caperatus, commonly known as the Gypsy Mushroom, is a notable wild mushroom species found in Alaska’s forests. This mushroom is distinguished by its unique appearance, featuring a reddish-brown to orange-brown cap with a distinctive fibrous texture.The Gypsy Mushroom typically grows in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, often appearing in late summer or early fall. It is characterized by its convex to flat cap, which ranges in diameter from 3 to 10 centimeters.
I’ve never tasted one and everyone just says they have a mild taste of… nothing much. So maybe skip this nerd and focus on golden chanterelles!
Saffron Milk-Cap (Lactarius Deliciosus)
This mushroom found in Alaska boasts an overall orange color with a tendency to turn greenish as it ages. Its distinguishing feature is its orange to reddish-orange milk when cut. While commonly gathered for food, its not particularly tasty.
Shrimp Russula (Russula Xerampelina)
The Shrimp Russula is characterized by its large, stout fruit bodies emitting a fishy or “shrimpy” odor in maturity. I’m so curious about this guy and desperately want to find one! It features dull orange-yellow spores and gills when mature, accompanied by a mild taste. Typically, it displays a reddish, maroon, or deep purple cap with varying degrees of pink tinge on the stalk. However, the cap can also exhibit shades of green, olive, dark brown, or blackish, or even brownish purple.
More Edible Mushrooms in Alaska
The following aren’t gonna win any awards for phenomenal tasting fungi, but in the sense of completetionism, I thought I’d at least least some more edible mushrooms found in Alaska.
- Purple Fairy Club / Alloclavaria purpurea
- Crested Coral / Clavulina cristata
- Hawk Wing / Sarcodon imbricatus
- Alaskan Gold / Phaeolepiota aurea
- Shaggy Mane / Coprinus comatus
Tools for Hunting Mushrooms in Alaska
When mushroom hunting in Alaska, it’s nice to have the right tools and equipment. It’ll make your life easier and it’s a good excuse to get a cool new knife! Here’s a list of items you might need while searching for mushrooms in Alaska:
- Basket or Bag: A sturdy basket or bag to collect mushrooms without damaging them. A mesh bag is ideal for allowing spores to disperse and prevent the mushrooms from becoming soggy.
- Knife: Any sharp pocket knife will work, but this mushroom knife is badass. Make sure to cut mushrooms at the base of the stem without disturbing the surrounding soil or other mushrooms. This will ensure continued growth.
- Gloves: Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp objects, thorns, or poisonous plants while handling mushrooms.
- Whistle: It might sound kind of dorky but its not a bad idea to carry a whistle for signaling others in case of emergencies or getting lost in the wilderness.
- Map and Compass or GPS: Familiarize yourself with the area and bring navigation tools to avoid getting lost in the wilderness. You’ll be looking down most of the time so its easy to get lost.
- Field Guide: Study this list, but having a manual in the field is a great idea for confirming edible and poisonous varieties. “Alaska’s Mushrooms: A Wide-Ranging Guide” by Gary A. Laursen and Teresa C. Marrone is a highly recommended resource.
Mushroom Storage and Preparation
Properly clean and store your harvested mushrooms to maintain their freshness and flavor. Avoid washing them until you’re ready to use them, as excess moisture can cause them to spoil more quickly. Cook mushrooms thoroughly before consuming to enhance their flavor and digestibility.
Cleaning Chanterelle Mushrooms
There are a couple different trains of thought here. A lot of folks will just brush the dirt off and wipe them clean with a moist paper towel. I’m sure that works fine for them. I like to bring the mushrooms home and lay them out on the counter. From there I’ll use a soft brush and a low pressure stream of cold water in the sink to wash the dirt away. I try not to have them under the water for too long.
From there I lay them onto a wire rack and let them dry for an hour or so. If some got a little too wet I’ll go over them with a paper towel and try to soak up any extra moisture.Finally, before cooking them I will scrap the outer skin off the stems, as well as any problem areas on the cap itself.
Wild Mushroom Recipes
- MAGICAL Wild Mushroom Toast (Chanterelles)
- WILD Mushroom Stock (Golden Chanterelle)
- Wild Mushroom Arancini (FLAVOR BALLS)
- CREAMY Corn and Mushroom Soup Recipe
Poisonous Mushrooms in Alaska
Alaska’s forests are generous, but they’re not forgiving. For every delicious chanterelle there’s a species that will put you in the hospital, and a couple that will kill you outright. The following mushrooms are either toxic, deadly, or sufficiently questionable that you should know what they look like before you go anywhere near them. Study these as carefully as the edible ones, knowing what not to pick is at least as important as knowing what to pick.
Deadly Galerina (Galerina Marginata)
The Deadly Galerina, scientifically known as Galerina marginata, is a highly toxic mushroom found in Alaska’s forests. These small mushrooms grow in clusters on decaying wood, typically during late summer and fall. They are brownish in color with a distinctive ring on the stem. Deadly Galerina contains deadly toxins, including amatoxins, which can cause severe liver and kidney damage if ingested. Due to its extreme toxicity, it’s crucial to avoid consuming any mushroom resembling Deadly Galerina and to seek medical attention immediately if accidental ingestion occurs.
Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria)
This poisonous mushroom is a highly distinctive species found in Alaska’s boreal forests, easily recognizable by its bright red cap adorned with white spots. Despite its visually striking appearance, Fly Agaric is extremely toxic if ingested, as it contains psychoactive compounds such as muscimol and ibotenic acid. Ingestion of this mushroom can lead to a range of symptoms including hallucinations, delirium, gastrointestinal distress, and in severe cases, respiratory depression or coma.
Yellow Patches (Amanita Augusta)
The Yellow Patches, also known as Yellow-orange Amanita, is a species of mushroom found in North America, including Alaska. It is considered to be mildly toxic and can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Yellow Patches mushrooms are not typically fatal but can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Fairy Bonnet Mushrooms (Genus Mycena)
The Fairy Bonnet Mushrooms are members of the genus Mycena, are a diverse group of small, delicate mushrooms found in forests and woodland habitats worldwide, including Alaska. While many species within the Mycena genus are considered non-toxic, some can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. However, there are also toxic species within the genus that can cause more severe symptoms.
Less Poisonous Mushrooms in Alaska
Early False Morel (Verpa Bohemica)
Say hello to the early false morel, Alaska’s springtime charlatan! This sneaky little mushroom loves to pop up near rivers under cottonwoods, flaunting its brown, bell-shaped cap and chubby white stalk filled with fluffy threads. Now, here’s the twist: while some adventurous eaters chow down on false morels without a problem, others can find themselves with severe stomach aches! So, that’s why I put this Alaskan mushroom in the less than poisonous category.
More Poisonous Mushrooms in Alaska
Here’s a list of some other poisonous, or inedible mushrooms in Alaska:
- Strawberries and Cream / Hydnellum peckii
- Spring False Morel / Gyromitra esculenta
- Red-Belt Conk / Fomitopsis pinicola
- Red Hot Milk-Cap / Lactarius rufus
Edible Mushrooms in Alaska: Conclusion
Venturing into Alaska’s mushroom kingdom can be a blast and a bountiful experience. From delectable edible mushrooms to sneaky poisonous varieties, the last frontier offers a diverse selection of fantastic fungi. And while the allure of wild culinary delights may tempt you, it’s important to approach foraging with caution. So arm yourself with knowledge, and don’t put anything in your mouth unless you’re one hundred percent positive it’s edible. Happy Hunting!
Edible Mushrooms in Alaska FAQs
When is mushroom season in Alaska?
The peak mushroom season in Alaska runs August through October, late summer into early fall when conditions are cool and moist after rain. Gray fire morels are the exception, appearing in late spring and early summer in burned areas. Yellow foot chanterelles extend into early winter in coastal areas.
What is the easiest edible mushroom to find in Alaska?
The Pacific Gold Chanterelle is the best starting point for beginner foragers. It’s distinctive, fairly easy to identify, delicious, and doesn’t have a deadly lookalike in Alaska, unlike some other species. Look for the false chanterelle as a comparison point and you’ll quickly learn to tell them apart.
What is the most dangerous mushroom in Alaska?
The Deadly Galerina is the most dangerous, it contains amatoxins that cause severe liver and kidney failure and can be fatal. The problem is it looks like several edible species including the Honey Mushroom. It grows on decaying wood in late summer and fall.
What is the best edible mushroom in Alaska?
The Pacific Gold Chanterelle. I guess it’s personal preference, but for me and most experienced Alaska foragers, it’s definitely the Golden Chanterelles. Delicious flavor, fruity aroma, easy to identify, and found across most of the state in mixed forests during fall.
Is foraging for mushrooms legal in Alaska?
Generally yes. Most public lands in Alaska allow personal-use mushroom gathering. National forests, state parks, and BLM land typically permit foraging for personal consumption with reasonable quantity limits. Check with local land management agencies for specific rules in your target area.
What’s the difference between a chanterelle and a false chanterelle?
The true Pacific Gold Chanterelle has ridges on its underside, not gills. The ridges are forked, blunt, and run partway down the stem. The false chanterelle (Jack O’Lantern) has true gills that are sharp, thin, and crowded. The Jack O’Lantern also tends to grow in clusters at the base of trees rather than singly or in small scattered groups.
Edible Mushrooms in Alaska: Resources & References
United States Forest Service Department of Alaska Region Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
Edible and Medicinal Plants of theWest by Gregory L. Tilford.
More Alaska Wildlife & Foraging Guides
- Poisonous Plants & Berries in Alaska — what else to avoid in the Alaska wilderness
- Alaska Wildflowers — 40+ species and where to find them
- Porcupines in Alaska — another underrated Alaska wildlife encounter
- Black Bear vs Grizzly Bear — you’ll share the woods with these while foraging
- What to Pack for Alaska — gear up for a foraging trip
- 100 Books About Alaska — including field guides worth reading
- Alaska in September — peak mushroom season timing
- Best Places to Live in Alaska — if the foraging life appeals year-round