Loading conditions…

NE Iowa Driftless / Effigy Mounds Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

NE Iowa Driftless / Effigy Mounds

Excellent

Unglaciated NE Iowa — Yellow River State Forest, Effigy Mounds NM, and the Mississippi River bluffs in Allamakee and Clayton counties. Cold-air algific talus slopes host rare northern plant communities. Sugar maple, basswood, white oak, and hickory on steep terrain. Exceptional spring morel hunting; summer chanterelles and lobster mushroom in moist coves.

Trees:Sugar Maple White Oak Basswood

Updated Oct 11, 5:13 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

NE Iowa's Driftless is rated Excellent. Soil is sitting at 67.8°F with 7/7 days above threshold for most taxa, and moisture is sustained at 0.24 VWC (7-day average matches today). The 2.56" over 14 days is doing the work, and drought is a non-issue. Nothing is limiting right now. The only soft spots are the later-starting species (chicken of the woods, giant puffball, parasols, shaggy mane, meadow and horse mushrooms), which are at 4/7 warm days and still activating, with the stinkhorns Ravenel's and Elegant at just 2/7. The high-confidence list is strong for the season. Hen of the woods, oysters (including aspen and elm), lion's mane, bear's head tooth, coral tooth, honeys, hedgehogs, smooth chanterelles, blewits, wine caps, beefsteak, and the polypores are all primed. Be aware that the same conditions are lighting up lethal species, including death cap, destroying angel, deadly galerina, and poison pie, so ID discipline matters on every Amanita-like or little-brown-mushroom find. Watch the dry week: 0" in the last 7 days means the surface is starting to tighten up, so fruitings seeded by the earlier rain will carry, but new flushes will stall if another soaking doesn't arrive. The 4/7-day species should shift to full readiness within a few days if soil temps hold. Hot tip: Hit oak and maple stands on north- and east-facing slopes for hen of the woods and honeys, where the moisture lingers longest through this dry week, and check lower bluff drainages for oysters and lion's mane on standing dead hardwoods.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential95/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Found something?

Log your find on iNaturalist to help the community and get expert ID assistance. Photos, location, and habitat notes all help with identification.

Log on iNaturalist View recent finds nearby →

Nearby Camping

Within(16)

Frenchman's Landing Campground

developed

~3.6 mi from centerFee required/night

waterelectric hookup

Camp Terry Hennesy

backcountry

iowa dnr~5 mi from centerFree/night

20 sites

Brown's Hollow Camp

developed

~5.4 mi from center

Bloody Run Park

developed

~5.4 mi from centerFee required/night

20 sites

Bloody Run Campground

backcountry

~5.5 mi from centerFee required/night

19 sites

Heffern's Hill Camp

developed

~6 mi from center

Camp John Schultz

developed

~6.4 mi from center

Little Paint Creek Campground

developed

~7 mi from center

80 sites

watertoilet

Camp Glen Wendel

developed

~7.2 mi from center

Big Paint Creek Campground

developed

~7.3 mi from center

48 sites

watertoilet

Pikes Peak State Park

developed

~7.3 mi from centerFee required/night

77 sites

watershowerelectric hookup

Wisconsin Ridge Campground

developed

Wisconsin DNR~7.5 mi from centerFee required/night

Outdoor Group Camp

developed

Wisconsin DNR~7.7 mi from center

Homestead Campground

developed

Wisconsin DNR~8.6 mi from centerFee required/night

109 sites

watertoiletshowerelectric hookup

Reserve →

Hugh Harper Indoor Group Camp

developed

Wisconsin DNR~8.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Spook Cave Campground

developed

~9.2 mi from center

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

BlewitLepista nuda

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Yellow FootCraterellus tubaeformis

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elfin SaddleHelvella crispa

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

soil warming up (68°F today, only 4/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 68°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil warming up (68°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil warming up (68°F today, only 2/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.24 VWC, 7d avg 0.24 — moisture sustained

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.

NE Iowa Driftless / Effigy Mounds

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Frenchman's Landing Campground

Camp Terry Hennesy

Brown's Hollow Camp

Bloody Run Park

Bloody Run Campground

Heffern's Hill Camp

Camp John Schultz

Little Paint Creek Campground

Camp Glen Wendel

Big Paint Creek Campground

Pikes Peak State Park

Wisconsin Ridge Campground

Outdoor Group Camp

Homestead Campground

Hugh Harper Indoor Group Camp

Spook Cave Campground

Conditions History

Viable Species