Foraging in Florida

5 verified locations for foraging in Florida. Each page includes exact permit requirements, restrictions, and what to know before you go.

4 Allowed

1 Prohibited

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Allowed

Apalachicola National Forest

Florida, Liberty·Foraging

Personal-use foraging of common edible plants, berries, and mushrooms is allowed in Apalachicola National Forest for incidental quantities under 36 CFR § 261.10. Targeting huckleberries or berries above casual amounts requires a free USFS Special Forest Products permit. Critical exception: saw palmetto berries require a state FDACS permit regardless of quantity — harvesting without one is a Florida felony. The forest contains the highest concentration of carnivorous plant species in North America; none may be collected under any circumstances.

Personal-use foraging of common edibles (berries, mushrooms, nuts, greens) is allowed without a permit for incidental quantities — not for commercial sale (36 CFR § 261.10(a))
Targeting huckleberries or edible berries above casual amounts: free USFS Special Forest Products permit required; limit is 1 gallon per day, maximum 3 gallons per year; apply at gp.fs2c.usda.gov

Allowed

Big Cypress National Preserve

Florida, Collier·Foraging

Personal-use foraging of berries, fruits, and mushrooms is allowed in Big Cypress National Preserve under NPS general authority. The same Florida saw palmetto felony that applies elsewhere in the state applies here — do not collect saw palmetto berries without an FDACS commercial license. Cypress dome interiors and wet prairies hold strong chanterelle, persimmon, and muscadine opportunities for those equipped to access them.

Personal-use foraging of berries, fruits, nuts, and mushrooms is allowed without a permit for incidental quantities under NPS Management Policies 2006 § 4.4.3
CRITICAL: Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) berries require a Florida FDACS commercial dealer license under Fla. Stat. § 581.189 — harvesting without one is a third-degree felony statewide including NPS land

Prohibited

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

Florida, Collier·Foraging

Foraging is prohibited at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. FL DEP Rule 62D-2.014 prohibits removing any plant from the preserve; all 44 native orchid species carry additional criminal protection under Florida Statutes § 581.185.

FL DEP Rule 62D-2.014(1)(k) prohibits removing any plant, fungus, or natural object from a Florida state preserve — no permit waives this prohibition
All 44 native orchid species are additionally protected under Fla. Stat. § 581.185; even touching or displacing a wild orchid is a criminal violation

Allowed

Ocala National Forest

Florida, Marion·Foraging

Personal-use foraging of common edible plants and berries is allowed in Ocala National Forest for incidental quantities. No permit required for casual gathering. Critical exception: saw palmetto berries require a state FDACS permit even for personal use beyond two plants — collecting without one is a Florida felony.

Personal-use foraging of common edible plants, berries, mushrooms, and nuts is allowed without a permit for incidental quantities — not for commercial sale (36 CFR § 261.10(a))
CRITICAL: Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) berries require a Florida FDACS permit even for personal use beyond 2 plants — harvesting without a permit is a third-degree felony under Fla. Stat. § 581.189

Allowed

Osceola National Forest

Florida, Columbia·Foraging

Personal-use foraging is allowed in Osceola National Forest under USFS rules (36 CFR § 261.10), up to 1 gallon per day per species without a permit. Critical exception: saw palmetto berry harvesting requires a state FDACS permit — harvesting without one is a Florida felony. All carnivorous plants and state-listed threatened species are strictly prohibited.

Personal-use foraging allowed without a permit — up to 1 gallon per day per species for personal, non-commercial use under 36 CFR § 261.10
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) berries require a Florida FDACS permit; harvesting without one is a felony under Florida Statutes § 812.014 regardless of quantity