What’s there to do in Oklahoma?
Go crystal digging at Great Salt Plains State Park in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma!
Many people say there is nothing to do in Oklahoma, I’m here to tell you those people are mistaken. That’s why we started our “Whats there to do in Oklahoma” series. Oklahoma actually has many great outdoor adventures you may have never heard about. Great Salt Plains is one of those places.
Great Salt Plains State Park is quite a place, it is unlike anything else in Oklahoma. It is free to enter and free to dig for crystals. You are allowed to keep up to 10 lbs of crystals per day.
Our Experience
We visited the Great Salt Plains State Park and dug for crystals on one of our many Oklahoma road trips. We came to dig with only a child shovel that we got from a beach shop in Oregon. Cash was 3 years old and he loved being outside and digging for treasures. Being the big kid that I am I loved digging for treasures as well. It truly is a sight to be seen. Upon arrival, it looked like a snow covered landscape or if the sunlight hits it right it looks like a large body of water. Digging for crystals was a blast but we were not quite prepared. We should have brought more water, towels, and a trash bag to put our muddy clothes in, so keep that in mind if planning a trip. We dug up 45 crystals before the rest of the family got tired from the hot day. (I could have stayed digging) We are planning a trip again this year and this time we will come prepared with more shovels, water, and towels. We really can’t wait to go back!
Digging
You are welcome to come dig for crystals from April 1st through October 15th. The digging area is within the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. It is the only place in the world you can dig for hourglass selenite crystals. Selenite Crystals are a rare form of gypsum. They can also be found in clusters weighing up to 30 pounds. We found many cool crystals and rocks from our digging.
Great Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge
The National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1930. It serves as a breeding area for birds and it is an Important Bird Area of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. Its land includes habitats for over 300 species of birds and 30 mammal species. They have hiking, biking and horse trails. (Horse rental not available)
Great Salt Plains Lake
There are many other activities you can enjoy at Great Salt Plains State Park including the lake. You can boat, swim and fish. The lake covers 8690 surface acres and has 41 miles of shoreline. The salty lake contains catfish, sandbass, hybrid striper and saugeye.
Camping
Great Salt Plains State Park has both RV and Tent Sites, along with cabins. Fore more information on the camp sites and to book a room check out Go Camp OK.
The History
According to Travel OK’s website Great Salt Plains State Park exists due to the fact that Oklahoma was once covered by an ocean in prehistoric times. The salt leftover from that ocean makes up the Great Salt Plains. There was a stretch of time when digging was no longer allowed but they resumed digging in 2009. In 1930 President Herbert Hoover designate the area a National Wildlife Refuge. The park was proposed to be closed in 2018 as one of the 16 Oklahoma state parks. Thankfully it did not close and is still open at this time.
The Location
Where exactly is Great Salt Plains State Park and how do I get there?
It is in Jet, Oklahoma. Check out the map below to see exactly where it is and how to get there.
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Want to know more great things to do in Oklahoma?
Check out our What’s there to do in Oklahoma section of our site!
Check out our post about Gloss Mountain State Park . It is near the Salt Plains and can easily be added as a stop on your next road trip!
Does this sound like something you and your family would enjoy? Please share with your friends and plan a trip! Let us know what you think in the comment section below!