Now
30°C · Partly cloudy
Today
30° / 17°
Rain, 7 days
1 mm
Season
Fall · frost in ~32 d
Foraging around Denver
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyEarly Fall Foraging in Denver: September 2026
In season now
Wild plums (Prunus americana)
Where: Riparian corridors, creek bottoms, and disturbed areas along the South Platte River and Bear Creek; common in lower foothills
Dark purple to red stone fruits, 1–2 cm diameter, with thin skin and sweet-tart flesh; harvest when fully soft and deeply colored. Eat fresh or cook into jam.
Look-alikes: Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) fruits are smaller, darker, and more astringent; plums have larger pits and juicier flesh.
Caution: Confirm ID before harvesting; avoid fruit from roadsides (pesticide drift).
Currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.)
Where: Foothill shrublands, canyon bottoms, and semi-shaded ravines in the foothills west of Denver
Small round berries, red to black, 0.5–1 cm diameter; ripen progressively through September. Eat fresh or preserve.
Look-alikes: Baneberry (Actaea rubra) berries are white or red and grow on herbaceous plants with compound leaves, not woody shrubs; toxic.
Caution: Ribes species are alternate hosts for white pine blister rust; do not harvest near protected pine stands.
Walnuts (Juglans nigra, black walnut)
Where: Scattered in riparian zones and older residential areas along the South Platte and Bear Creek corridors
Green husks split in September; crack open to extract the hard-shelled nut inside. Nuts are ready to crack when husk is brown and brittle.
Look-alikes: None dangerous, but butternut (Juglans cinerea) is rarer and smaller; both are edible.
Caution: Wear gloves when handling husks (they stain permanently); nuts require curing and cracking.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Where: Foothill shrublands, canyon edges, and semi-arid slopes west and southwest of Denver
Small dark purple berries, 0.8–1 cm, with a waxy bloom; sweet and mild. Eat fresh or dry.
Look-alikes: Chokecherry is darker and more astringent; serviceberry is lighter and sweeter.
Caution: Confirm location is not on private land; ask permission if near residential areas.
Puffball mushrooms (Lycoperdon and Calvatia spp.)
Where: Open grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas in the foothills and plains; often after rain
Round, white or pale tan, 2–10 cm diameter; interior must be pure white throughout (no gills or cap visible when cut). Slice and sauté or roast.
Look-alikes: Young agarics (button mushrooms) have a cup at the base and gills inside; deadly Amanita species have a cup and ring. Cut vertically to check.
Caution: Mushroom ID is critical; when in doubt, do not harvest. Consult a local mycological society before eating any wild mushroom.
Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)
Where: Disturbed ground, gardens, roadsides, and waste areas throughout Denver metro
Leafy annual with pale, mealy coating on stems and leaves; young leaves are tender and mild. Cook like spinach or use raw in salads.
Look-alikes: Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) has red or pink stems and lacks the mealy coating; also edible but different flavor.
Caution: Avoid plants near roadsides (exhaust) or recently sprayed areas; wash thoroughly.
Coming soon
Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana)
Fully ripe in late September; small dark berries with large pits. Excellent for jams and syrups; raw berries are astringent.
Pinyon nuts (Pinus edulis)
Cones open in October–November; small oily nuts inside. Highly prized; harvest from public lands only with permission.
Rose hips (Rosa spp.)
Fully mature in October after frost; bright red, high in vitamin C. Dry or steep for tea.
Safety in this area
- Ticks are active through September in foothills and riparian areas; wear long sleeves and pants, check skin after foraging, and remove promptly with tweezers.
- Poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii) grows in shaded riparian zones and canyon bottoms; three leaflets, red in fall. Avoid contact; wash skin and clothes immediately if exposed.
- Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is rare in Denver but present in some riparian areas; causes severe phytophotodermatitis. Avoid tall (1–2 m) plants with large white flower clusters and hairy stems.
- Black bears are uncommon in Denver proper but present in foothills west of the city; make noise while foraging, never approach, and report sightings to Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Foraging information is educational. Confirm every identification with a regional field guide or expert before eating anything wild.
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