Bellingham Mushroom Calendar

Bellingham sits in the Puget Lowland and a moderately damp climate — about 36 inches of rain a year, most of it falling in the cool months from fall into spring. The ground warms and reaches early fruiting potential around March, by which point the average last frost (Apr 1) has usually passed. Through summer, localized storms can set off scattered fruitings, but widespread flushes are rare until more consistent rain returns in August. The first frosts around Nov 2 eventually close the main season, though hardy cool-season species hang on.

Best months September, October, and November
Ground warms ~March
Frost-free Apr 1 – Nov 2
Annual rain 36"
Driest July
Species tracked 11

What Fruits When Near Bellingham

JFMAMJJASONDMorelKing BoleteMatsutakeChanterelleHedgehogOysterLobsterBear's HeadBlewitThe PrinceShaggy Mane

Shading shows when each species typically fruits within about 10 miles, not abundance. Based on iNaturalist observation trends.

The Shape of the Season

All species combined — local observations within about 10 miles, by month.

Weather Through the Year

Average daily high–low (°F)

Average monthly precipitation (inches)

The Forest Around Bellingham

Dominant tree species within about 10 km — the hosts that shape which mushrooms grow here.

  • Douglas-fir37.9%
  • Western Hemlock25.3%
  • Red Alder22.3%
  • Bigleaf Maple14.5%

Species to Know Near Bellingham

Shaggy Mane Shaggy Mane Peaks in October Photo: Jeremy Collison (CC BY-NC) Chanterelle Chanterelle Peaks in November Photo: Jeremy Collison (CC BY-NC)

Common Questions

When is mushroom season in Bellingham?

Near Bellingham, most mushroom activity arrives with the fall rains. The strongest months in the local observation record are September, October, and November.

When do morels fruit near Bellingham?

Morel reports near Bellingham peak in April. Timing tracks soil temperature, so south-facing slopes and lower elevations start earlier and higher ground runs later.

What mushrooms grow near Bellingham?

11 species show up in the observation record within about 10 miles of Bellingham, including Morel, King Bolete, Matsutake, Chanterelle, Hedgehog, Oyster, Lobster, Bear's Head. The calendar above shows when each one typically fruits.

Want live conditions instead of climatology? The Forayz map layers soil moisture, soil temperature, snow cover, and recent burns over the same area.

Nearby Calendars in Washington

Climate normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020). Season-onset timing is an air-temperature proxy, not a soil reading.