Crystal Digging End Oct. 15

CHEROKEE, OK - Crystal digging is permitted April 1 through October 15, sunrise to sunset at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. No special permit is required. Collectors are permitted to remove up to 10 pounds of crystals plus one large cluster for their personal use per day. Take Hwy 64 west of Jet to the Salt Flats sign (about six miles), turn N on sand road to Salt Plains (about three miles), and one mile east on a paved road to the gate and follow the orange signs to ‘Dig Area'.

The drive from Enid to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is at just about an hour from Enid. Wear old shoes and clothes. You might want to pack extra clothes for after digging in case they become covered in salt and dirt.

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We usually take Highway 64 through Jet, Oklahoma coming from the east. The road to the Salt Flats has a big sign near it and it is a few miles west of Jet. There are a few other roads that will get you there. Stop in Jet to use the restroom, purchase snacks and something to drink. Be sure to have plenty of water and ice if possible. (There is a small bathroom inside the gate at the Selenite Crystal Digging Area just in case.)
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Once you arrive at the Selenite Crystal Digging Area you'll see a road marked by posts. The road will be pretty rough at the beginning. If you have a vehicle that sits very low you might have a little trouble. Drive slow. The gate of the Selenite Crystal Digging Area is located at 66003 Garvin Road, Cherokee OK 73728. You drive about a mile then to the Dig Area.
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There will be signs telling what areas to stay away from. It will most likely be windy. Even on a non-windy day there's going to be some wind on the salt flats. Take sunscreen and sunglasses!
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There will be a designated dig area. You can only dig in that area. You'll see other older areas that are now blocked off. Don't dig in the areas that say keep out. There are severe penalties for not following the rules.
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The road is clearly marked. Just follow the posts. You'll also see other diggers and the most recent area of digging will be very apparent.
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You'll see the large salt flats but the actual salt is just a very thin layer. You may also see some water areas. There is basically an aquifer right under the salt flats so you will see water filling your hole if you dig very deep.
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Jerry Rose took his daughters to dig and shared this pic on our Facebook page. Be sure and take small shovels and digging tools. Also have a bucket to clean the crystals and some extra water.
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You'll find lots of these crystal pieces. You're looking for large pieces that have an hour glass shape in the middle. If you dig carefully and hit the right spot you might find large clumps of crystals together. Clumps are rare but very cool!

Collectors are permitted to remove up to 10 pounds of crystals plus one large cluster for their personal use per day.
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Part of the Great Salt Plains is Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Avoid the areas that are marked with signs. You can get in trouble if you harm anything in the Refuge.
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Nearing sunset on the Great Salt Plains. This is where the camera come in real handy.
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Sunset.
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Beware that you will get salt on just about everything especially shoes. This was after an hour ride and walking across a parking lot. You will have salt in your car. You might want to wash your car after your visit. Enjoy!

INFORMATION ON THE SELENITE CRYSTALS

The salt flats are a unique geological area made up of 11,000-acres that are perfectly flat with a wafer thin salt crust. It is classified as the "largest such saline flat in the central lowlands of North America".

The salt area was formed by repeated flooding by sea water millions of years ago. There are thick layers of salt-saturated sand hidden below the plain. Rains and local ground water travel through the salt-saturated sand and comes to the surface where it evaporates, leaving the crust of salt. Saline solution combines with gypsum to promote selenite crystal growth in that portion of the salt flats.

Because these crystals form in the wet part of the  soil, sand and clay particles are included within the crystal. These particles often form an "hourglass" shape inside the crystal. This hourglass shape cannot be found in selenite crystals in other places of the world; it is only found here at the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in NW Oklahoma.

Single crystals, penetration twins, and clusters are the typical crystal shapes most frequently encountered on the refuge. Exceptional individual crystals measuring up to 7 inches long have been found, along with complex combinations weighing as much as 38 pounds.

Call 580-626-4794 for more information.