salt plains national wildlife refuge

We had a blast, got to dig and find many crystals. Yes you can just find them on the surface, but I have a son and so we dug and got dirty. Plan on bringing plenty of egg cartons. It is very windy out there. We plenty of hourglass crystals and plenty of large crystals.

My wife and I visited for an hour on a cold October day. The personnel in the admin office were polite, interesting, and smart. They knew the refuge intimately and were able to answer even my silly questions. We took a short walk to an observation platform and back. Unfortunately, we were there in the middle of the day, so we missed the sand hill cranes and whooping cranes. But there were hundreds of wading birds. We frightened an eagle out of its roost as we approached the viewing stand.We didn't have time to dig for crystals, but we took one of the free samples.This place is worth a stop at dawn or dusk,

nobody I am mentioning this to has ever been there, but it's worth the trip. you can drive your car out onto the salt plains and dig for crystals in the muck. great adventure for kids! beautiful wildlife refuge, nice camping grounds and tons of birds! would like to return in the fall and see the snow birds arrive!

The vast expanse of white is like entering a different world. It wasn't a crowded experience for a 100 degree July day, and oddly enough, we didn't feel too hot due to the steady wind. After digging deep holes and finding no crystals near the road, a group walked up and told us to try about a eighth of a mile out. They said you could find them 3 to 6 inches under the surface. They told us to look for the Dig Here written in the salt. We hit the jackpot, although we were unable to collect any perfect hourglass crystals in one piece. My kids who are 19 and 22 would have stayed longer, searching for that perfect crystal. Passing it on, we shared our location knowledge with those still digging close to the road. One of those "OIO" experiences. (only in Oklahoma)!

Awesome view! Can spend sometimes on taking nice picture and digging. U will be surprise on what u get from there. Is a kind of experience.

We visited here this past weekend and we had a wonderful time. It is a very good learning experience for adults and children alike. Do your research on the site and take advantage of the guidance given. Definitely bring suntan lotion and bring plenty of water, including enough to clean up after the dig because you will need it! We had a great time! While in the area, don't miss the Sod House in the little town of Aline.

We deliberately drove many hours North to see the Great Salt Plains park. Seeing the vast salt surfaces of the ground was interesting. The rest of the trip was dismal. First, we arrived from the southern route into Jet, OK and tried to enter the east side of the park. Poor signage. We found a VERY old park and the lake, but no entrance to the much hyped selenite crystal area. We had to drive north and then west to the town of Cherokee, and then south of Cherokee where there is one old commercial sign to turn east and drive 5 miles to dig for selenite. Now at this point we had made nearly a round trip of many miles around the park and were getting disgusted. The selenite area had warning signs about trespassing that didn't make sense, given that just beyond that gated (and dumpy area I might add) was a sign about where to dig, a restroom, and a standing small shelter of information. You can drive the roads but there are warnings about mud (yes, wet and some ruts so we turned around). There are also warnings about the testing of military munitions years ago, and examples of what not to pick up. Would never go back. Web photos very deceiving.

my husband and i went for the purpose of digging crystals.the entrance to the salt plains digging area is about 5 miles south of cherokee, ok.there is a large sign.at the entrance (no fee) there is a wooden platform. go up and get a great view, of the salt plains. there is a basic restroom nearby.then start driving. it was not far, to the dig site that was open. signs tell you if an area is open or not. most were closed. except for another couple that came, stayed a short time, then left, we were the only ones there.there were plenty of old digs(holes)where ohters had previously dug. these have clear water in them. we got water out of them to splash on the sides of our dig and to rinse the crystals we found. we also seemed to have good luck by taking off a few inches of the top layers, then feeling with our hands or using a small knife we had., we found small clusters, using this "method". you can feel the crystals breaking, when you dig straight down. we took a small plastic basket, with holes in the side, to put the crystals in. but,WEIGH everything down! the wind will blow it away! do not take plastic bags!they are goners. we also took a small shovel and several buckets.take something to sit on the ground on.i wore long sleeves, but any exposed skin will get burned. you also get covered in mud and salt. we took clothes that we could throw away, if we needed to.. the salt cakes your clothes, shoes and your vehicle. we also got bit, by all we can surmise, were sand fleas on our arms and the bottoms of my legs(exposed skin)there is no water available, except what you bring or get out of the holes, so you cannot rinse off.we changed clothes in the restrooms. we had to find a car wash in the next town, because it cakes up, everwhere, on you vehicle.we really enjoyed this, we have been to the diamond dig, in arkansas. here, you get something for your hard WORK!

What a big vast area this is. On the west side of the lake you can dig for Hourglass Crystals till you're wind and sunburned. It was fun and a part of my bucked list for the state, The east side has the lake for boating and fishing.

I highly recommend you visit this place. We have been 2 times and really enjoy digging for salenite crystals. Lots of fun.

This place was ok, wouldn't go out of my way for it. DON'T DIG FOR THE CRYSTALS! There's plenty of them just lying around on the ground, all you have to do is walk around and look for them, doesn't take much to see one. Other places you read will tell you to try to dig for them but it's really unnecessary.

Miles of White Salt Plains were an awesome sight after taking a short cut on gravel and then dirt roads. Fun unique experience mining for Hour Glass Crystals found only in the Salt Plains of Oklahoma. The digging area looked like a village of prairie dogs had moved in.The ground dwelling birds use the mounds to start the nest and gather crystals to finish the build. Some of the holes were huge, we found most of our crystals close to the surface and they were up to 2". We were surprised that the dig was so comfortable with the actual temperature above 100 degrees. Maybe the salt dehumidified the air? Or we Okies are just used to July heat? Remember to bring gallons of water to fill the hole, small shovel, news paper or egg cartons to dry the crystals. The closest food or water was 10 mi away. Bring a lunch,sun screen, drinks, your smile and be ready to get down and dirty.

I wish we'd brought shovels! But just the experience of emerging from trees and pasture out into this incredible expanse was moving and unlike any other. Was I driving out on to a lake to ice fish? Was this Antarctica? A key resting place for migratory and nesting shorebirds, the digging of crystals actually provides food and nesting mounds for birds like least terns and snowy plovers. As we drain marshes and lakes for crop irrigation, this is literally a last refuge. 40 of 49 known American shorebirds have been spotted here -- that's how important and awe-inspiring the Salt Flats are, and it's in freaking Oklahoma! The most ecologically diverse state in the union. Go, experience it even for ten minutes. Please.

There's not much here, but then we only came to dig for selenite crystals. What a treat to find tons of the hourglass-shaped crystals that this spot is famous for. Come prepared with some fresh water (helps in the digging and clean up afterwards), buckets, and maybe some shovels. It's not far from Leonardo's in Enid, which makes for a full day of family fun!

If you are looking for an era gone by look no further ..... but it is desolate. But isn't that what an old salt lake should look like. If you a crystal hunter then this is your place, though.