Mushroom foraging laws in Tennessee
Compiled from official sources; not legal advice. Rules change. Confirm with the land manager or the agency before you pick.
Summary
Tennessee State Parks rules allow gathering reasonable quantities of renewable natural products for personal use, with fruits, berries and driftwood given as examples; mushrooms are not named. Commercial gathering is prohibited and removing plants needs a permit. State Natural Areas allow no removal of natural materials unless the management plan says so.
Public land
Under TDEC rule 0400-02-02-.18, gathering or collecting reasonable quantities of natural products of a renewable nature for personal use, including but not limited to fruits, berries and driftwood, is permitted in state parks. Mushrooms are not mentioned. Gathering for commercial sale or other commercial use is prohibited. In State Natural Areas, rule 0400-02-08-.19 says there is no removal of any natural material, product or object unless the area's management plan provides otherwise. State forests, WMAs and federal lands have their own rules.
Permits
Removing plants from state parks is prohibited without a permit granted by the Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation (rule .18). The rule does not say whether mushrooms count as plants, so ask park staff.
Limits
The state park rule says only 'reasonable quantities'; no number or weight limit is given.
Sources
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-02-02-.18 - Preservation of public property, natural features and resources
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-02-08-.19 - Natural areas
Last verified: November 11, 2026