It’s Almost Morel Mushroom Season in Michigan: Here’s Where to Go Hunting

There’s a certain kind of Michigander who gets a little thrill from wandering through the woods, eyes on the ground, scanning for one of spring’s most prized treasures: the morel mushroom.

If you know, you know. These earthy little treats are not only delicious, but they’re also surprisingly hard to find, which makes the hunt even more rewarding. They love to pop up in just the right conditions, and if you’re lucky enough to spot one, chances are there’s a few more nearby.

Hunting for morels feels a little like finding gold, but tastier.

A lot of people stick to their own property or call up a friend with land and woods to spare. But here’s the thing: you don’t need a private forest to go morel hunting in Michigan. In fact, there are plenty of state-managed public lands that are totally fair game—and the Michigan DNR actually created a handy map to help you know where to look.

Every spring, the DNR releases its Morel Mushroom Burn Map, which highlights areas of state forest land that experienced wildfires or prescribed burns the year before. Why does that matter? Because morels tend to thrive in post-burn areas. It’s one of those weird, wonderful things about how nature works.

The map makes it easy to zoom in on locations across Michigan that might be worth a visit this season. It doesn’t guarantee mushrooms (of course), but it will increase your odds of finding them.

Up Next: More tips for hunting morel mushrooms in Michigan ⬇️

So if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at foraging, or you’re just looking for a good excuse to get out into the woods this spring, this is it. Lace up your boots, pack a mesh bag (it helps spread spores), and see what you can find. Just don’t forget: where there’s one morel, there’s usually more(el?)