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New River Gorge Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

New River Gorge

Excellent

New River Gorge National Park and surrounding mixed mesophytic forest. Among the most biologically diverse temperate forests in the world. Tulip poplar, white ash, basswood, hickory, and oak along the gorge rim. Morels fruit early at lower elevations near river bottoms and old agricultural clearings. Warm south-facing slopes flush first.

Trees:Tulip Poplar White Ash Basswood

Updated Oct 11, 5:09 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

New River Gorge grades Excellent because moisture is locked in (0.23 VWC today, 0.20 7-day average, no drought) and soil at 59.4°F has held above threshold for most of the week for the bulk of the fall wood-decomposer and mycorrhizal crowd. Hen of the Woods, Lion's Mane, Honey Mushroom, Hedgehog, Smooth Chanterelle, Oak Milk Cap, Bear's Head Tooth, Beefsteak Polypore, Angel Wings, and Wine Cap all have every condition met, with Honey Mushroom, Hedgehog, and Red-Belted Conk at 7/7 days above threshold. Be aware that the 0.44" of rain over the past 14 days is light, so the strength here is the sustained soil moisture rather than a fresh soaking, and no formal limiting factor is flagged. Soil temperature is the only thing holding back the moderate tier: Chicken of the Woods and Black Trumpet are marginal, and the grassland and litter species (Parasol, Shaggy Mane, Meadow Mushroom, waxcaps, puffballs) are only 3/7 days in, so mycelium is active but primordia haven't set. Watch for a few warmer nights or a decent rain event this week, which would push those moderate species toward fruiting; a hard cool-down would stall them and favor the cold-tolerant wood species. Hot tip: Hit the mid-elevation hardwood slopes for Hen of the Woods at oak bases and Hedgehogs or Smooth Chanterelles in the moist drainages, since those are your highest-confidence targets right now.

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

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(7)

American Alpine Club New River Gorge Campground

developed

American Alpine Club~0.8 mi from centerFee required/night

Chestnut Creek Campground

developed

~1 mi from center

Arrowhead Bike Farm Campground

developed

~2.1 mi from center

Reserve →

Ray's Campground

developed

~6.1 mi from center

Brooklyn Campground

developed

~6.6 mi from center

DunGlen Campsite

developed

~8.1 mi from center

Stone Cliff Campground

developed

~9.5 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

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 60°F min, 1/7 days above), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 62°F min, 1/7 days above), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

soil warming up (59°F today, only 3/7 days above threshold — mycelium activating, primordia not yet established), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 59°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 60°F min, 1/7 days above), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — moisture sustained

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil temp marginal (59°F vs 60°F min, 1/7 days above), today 0.23 VWC, 7d avg 0.20 — 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.

New River Gorge

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

American Alpine Club New River Gorge Campground

Chestnut Creek Campground

Arrowhead Bike Farm Campground

Ray's Campground

Brooklyn Campground

DunGlen Campsite

Stone Cliff Campground

Conditions History

Viable Species