You're offline — showing cached data

Loading conditions…

Shawnee NF Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

🚗 Get Directions

Shawnee NF

350–1,065 ft · IL🚗 Directions

S

Shawnee National Forest in southern IL. Oak-hickory forest with tulip poplar and sycamore in drainages. Sandstone bluffs create unique microclimates. Old apple orchards scattered throughout. Among the best morel territory in IL.

Trees:White Oak Hickory Tulip Poplar

Updated Jul 13, 4:07 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

**Shawnee NF – S-Tier: Perfect storm.** Sustained 5.69" rain over 7 days combined with warm soil (77°F) and zero drought stress has triggered a flushes across 60+ species simultaneously. Everything from choice edibles (Chicken of the Woods, Black Trumpet, Smooth Chanterelle) to wood-decay polypores (Artist's Conk, Birch Polypore) to the toxic Amanitas is fruiting at once—the moisture threshold has been hammered consistently for a full week. No limiting factors means no competition from dry spells or temperature swings; what you're seeing now is what you'll see for the next 48–72 hours before the heat cycle burns through the soil VWC. The forest floor is essentially a fruiting body factory right now. Focus your effort on ephemeral species (Chicken, Chanterelles, Wine Caps) and anything needing high-moisture flush windows; polypores and wood-decay fungi will persist but aren't going anywhere. Watch the 7-day precip forecast—if we stay dry for more than 3 days, the flush collapses. **Hot tip:** Target north-facing ravines and low-canopy oak-hickory stands where soil moisture lingers longest once the ambient heat begins climbing mid-week.

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

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(24)

Teal Pond Campground

dispersed

~0.7 mi from centerFree/night

Red Bud Campground

developed

~1.9 mi from centerFee required/night

21 sites

Jackson Falls primitive camping

dispersed

Shawnee National Forest~3.2 mi from centerFree/night

Primitive Campsite Jackson Falls

developed

~3.3 mi from center

Bear Branch Horse Resort

developed

~4.1 mi from center

Chabnel

developed

~5.9 mi from center

Goupil

developed

~6 mi from center

Lalamont

developed

~6 mi from center

Lalandale

developed

~6 mi from center

Lakeside

developed

~6 mi from center

Daniel

developed

~6.2 mi from center

Camp Ondessonk

developed

~6.2 mi from center

Camp Ondessonk

developed

~6.2 mi from center

Brebeuf

developed

~6.2 mi from center

Garnier

developed

~6.2 mi from center

Brebeuf Flats-tents

developed

~6.2 mi from center

Tekakwitha

developed

~6.3 mi from center

Aonnetta

developed

~6.3 mi from center

Amantacha

developed

~6.3 mi from center

Chiwaenhwa

developed

~6.3 mi from center

Raganeau

developed

~6.5 mi from center

Williams Pass & OHV Park

developed

~9.4 mi from center

Group

developed

~9.7 mi from center

Oak Point Campground

developed

~9.8 mi from centerFee required/night

toiletshower

⚠ 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

Chicken of the Woods

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Black Trumpet

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying Angel

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wine Cap

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Giant Puffball

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey Tail

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's Butter

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen Bolete

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Indigo Milk Cap

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crown-Tipped Coral

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly Ear

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's Fingers

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol Mushroom

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy Parasol

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring Champignon

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's Conk

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Birch Polypore

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder Fungus

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest Fungus

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Cinnabar Chanterelle

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Berkeley's Polypore

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber Stalk

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the Woods

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Frost's Bolete

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Horse Mushroom

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mica Cap

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Two-Colored Bolete

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth Chanterelle

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blusher

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Caesar's Amanita

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Weeping Milk Cap

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded Puffball

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill Lepiota

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow Patches

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Cordyceps

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Bitter Bolete

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green Cracked Russula

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening Russula

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Peppery Milk Cap

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Grisette

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Coker's Amanita

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fool's Mushroom

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol Inky

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Inkcap

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Stainer

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted Conk

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze Polypore

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze Polypore

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey Tail

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Northern Tooth

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Eyelash Cup

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Snow Fungus

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wood Ear

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Crested Coral

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Green Elfcup

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory Funnel

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen Oyster

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk Slime

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime Mold

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's Nest

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's Cakes

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's Nest

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Parasite Bolete

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted Collybia

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

The Deceiver

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Mazegill

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — moisture sustained)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 77°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.29 VWC, 7d avg 0.32 — 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.