Mushroom foraging laws in Maryland

Compiled from official sources; not legal advice. Rules change. Confirm with the land manager or the agency before you pick.

Summary

Maryland's State park and State forest rules bar removing, disturbing or destroying any plant, with no personal-use exception and no mention of mushrooms. Two 2026 bills (HB 72 and SB 667) to create a foraging program on State land show only a committee hearing, and are not law. Food service facilities must use approved sources; I found no mushroom-specific sales rule.

Public land

State parks: COMAR 08.07.06.13 says an individual may not remove, disturb, damage, or destroy a plant, rock, mineral, or animal. State forests: COMAR 08.07.01.13 says an individual may not remove, disturb, damage, or destroy any plant, rock, mineral, or animal. Neither names mushrooms or gives a personal-use exception, so ask before picking. HB 72 and SB 667 (2026) would set up a foraging permit program on State land; the legislature's pages show a first reading and hearing only. Wildlife Management Areas have other rules that were not confirmed.

Permits

State parks: the Park Service may issue permits for removal of items listed in the rule. State forests: permits can be issued for timber, firewood or other forest products, and for samples of flora for educational or research purposes. No mushroom permit is described.

Selling

Maryland's food service rule (COMAR 10.15.03.04) requires food served to the public to be obtained from an approved source. It does not mention wild mushrooms. The Department of Health has announced plans to adopt the 2022 FDA Food Code, with no date set (fact sheet issued October 2025). Ask the Maryland Office of Food Protection before selling to a food service business.

Sources

Last verified: November 11, 2026

Public land in Maryland · Species recorded in Maryland