Death Cap Mushrooms Found on Boise Greenbelt

Boise-area hikers and dog walkers should avoid touching or eating any wild mushrooms along the trail system right now.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Hiking

Bold flat-color vector editorial illustration of a pale mushroom cluster at the base of a cottonwood on a quiet dirt trail, evoking a warning about foraging hazards. — Idaho health officials warned Boise-area hikers and dog walkers this week to avoid touching or eating wild mushrooms after Death Cap mushrooms were found along the Greenbelt. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you avoid foraging wild mushrooms in your area right now?

Idaho Central District Health Department has warned residents about Death Cap mushrooms, which have appeared across the Boise Greenbelt. Officials say the mushrooms may be Death Cap mushrooms and urge people to avoid all wild mushrooms for now.

Why it matters

Death Cap mushrooms are among the most toxic mushrooms and can be mistaken for edible varieties, so a visible presence on a heavily used trail system raises the risk for hikers, dog walkers, and families. The warning comes after the species was previously documented in Idaho in 2022 and again in 2025.

The warning rests on visual sightings of mushrooms across the Boise Greenbelt, with officials saying they may be Death Cap. No confirmed species count or laboratory identification was reported, and the scope of the sightings was not quantified.

The players

Idaho Central District Health Department

A regional public health agency serving the Boise area that monitors local health hazards and issues public safety guidance.

The details

Death Cap mushrooms grow in association with trees and can look similar to some edible mushrooms, which is why officials caution against foraging. Mushrooms are currently growing on the Boise Greenbelt, and health officials advise anyone who suspects ingestion to call The Poison Center right away. Because identification by appearance is unreliable, the safest approach is to leave all wild mushrooms alone.

Death Cap mushrooms first appeared in Idaho in 2022.
Death Cap mushrooms appeared in Idaho again in 2025.
Idaho Central District Health Department issued its warning on November 2, 2026.

Health Landscape

Death Cap is a recurring concern in Idaho, with documented detections in 2022 and 2025 now followed by another warning on the Boise Greenbelt. Repeated sightings suggest the species has become a seasonal risk for outdoor recreation rather than a one-time event.

If you hike, walk dogs, or let children play on the Boise Greenbelt, avoid touching or eating any wild mushrooms you encounter. If you suspect someone has eaten a mushroom, call The Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away, and for pets contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

The takeaway

Stay on marked trails and leave wild mushrooms where they grow, since Death Cap can resemble edible species. If exposure is suspected, call The Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 without waiting for symptoms.