Portland Mushroom Calendar

Portland sits in the Willamette Valley and a damp, maritime-influenced climate — about 44.1 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 (Feb 25) has usually passed. Through summer, localized storms can set off scattered fruitings, but widespread flushes are rare until more consistent rain returns in September. The first frosts around Dec 1 eventually close the main season, though hardy cool-season species hang on.

Best months April, October, and November
Ground warms ~March
Frost-free Feb 25 – Dec 1
Annual rain 44.1"
Driest July and August
Species tracked 10

What Fruits When Near Portland

JFMAMJJASONDMorelKing BoleteMatsutakeChanterelleOysterLobsterBear'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 Portland

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

  • Bigleaf Maple62.5%
  • Douglas-fir27.2%
  • Red Alder10.4%

Species to Know Near Portland

Shaggy Mane Shaggy Mane Peaks in October Photo: Jeremy Collison (CC BY-NC) Morel Morel Peaks in April

Common Questions

When is mushroom season in Portland?

Mushroom season near Portland comes in two waves: a spring window after snowmelt and a larger fall window with the first soaking rains. The strongest months in the local observation record are April, October, and November.

When do morels fruit near Portland?

Morel reports near Portland 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 Portland?

10 species show up in the observation record within about 10 miles of Portland, including Morel, King Bolete, Matsutake, Chanterelle, Oyster, Lobster, Bear's Head, Blewit. 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 Oregon

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