Gathering in state parks and forests

Use extreme caution when picking mushrooms, as some are edible and others are deadly. Photo by Wisconsin DNR.

In order to preserve state parks' natural beauty for future visitors to enjoy, it's against Wisconsin law to destroy, molest, deface or remove any natural growth or natural or archaeological feature from the parks.

However, you may pick edible fruits, edible nuts, wild mushrooms, wild asparagus and watercress by hand for personal consumption.

Some mushrooms are edible, others are deadly, and it's difficult to tell one from another. Use extreme caution!

Collecting seeds from herbaceous plants such as grasses and wildflowers is not allowed without written authorization from the department. For information and a seed collecting permit application, please see Species Collection and Research Permits and Licenses. 

The collection of rocks, minerals and fossils is limited and is entirely prohibited at Havenwoods State Forest and on State Trails. Any collecting must be permitted in writing by the property manager.