Intro to Seattle Mushroom Foraging

Delve into the fascinating world of mushrooms with a guided foraging class! This two-hour experience is tailored for first-time foragers eager to uncover the secrets of wild mushrooms. Learn to safely discern edible varieties from their lookalikes (both toxic and inedible varieties), the specific trees and ecosystems that different mushrooms are associated with, and when they are in season...all while exploring the lush green forests that Washington is famous for. Even if you're afraid of mushrooms, we will demystify scary mushroom myths and give you confidence and skills to keep exploring on your own long after class ends. Your future hikes will never be the same! Guests are allowed to keep the mushrooms they encounter during class. We make sure guests never go home empty-handed, so in the event wild finds are light, we will provide each guest with a bag of fresh gourmet mushrooms to take home, along with recipe ideas.

Meet your expert guide at a lush forest, where you’ll get settled for introductions, a safety briefing, and mushroom foraging basics. Learn what gear you need, how harvesting limits and permits work in Washington, and how to forage responsibly before heading into the woods. Next, grab your basket, knife, and field guide and follow your guide into the forest on an easy, guided 1-hour walk. Your guide has pre-scouted what’s fruiting right now, giving you the best chance to see exciting seasonal mushrooms! Along the way, you’ll learn about the ecosystems they thrive in, the trees and plants they’re associated with, and tips for how to find them. Your guide will point out edible, inedible, and toxic species, explaining how to tell them apart. Limited hands-on foraging may be available if conditions allow, but this introductory experience focuses on building confidence through education. After returning to the tables, you’ll sort, clean, and bag the day’s finds together. Learn the five key steps to mushroom identification, plus practical cooking and preservation tips. You’ll head home with your own bag of mushrooms and recipe ideas, ready to continue your foraging journey.

• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Not recommended for travelers who cannot be on their feet, bending, and crouching for up to an hour

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.