Salt Plains Selenite Crystal Digging, Oklahoma
The salt flats at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Jet are the only place in the world where selenite crystals grow with the hourglass pattern of sand and clay inside. Digging is free and you keep what you find.
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| Where | Signed Dig Area, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge near Jet |
|---|---|
| Season | April 1 to October 15, sunrise to sunset |
| Cost | Free, no permit |
| Depth | Usually within two feet of the surface |
| What to bring | Shovel, water for rinsing, egg cartons for packing, sun protection |
| Not allowed | Digging outside the Dig Area; drones |
Rules and season
- Season: April 1 to October 15, sunrise to sunset. Closed the rest of the year to protect migrating whooping cranes.
- Cost: free, no permit or pass needed.
- Where: only inside the signed Dig Area, about a mile past the gate at 66003 Garvin Road, Cherokee, OK. All other flats are closed to protect nesting birds. See closed areas outside the dig site.
- No drones. Holes can be left; they refill naturally.
How to dig
Crystals form just below the salt crust, rarely deeper than two feet. Dig a hole about two feet across until water seeps in, then splash water against the sides to wash crystals free. Lift them carefully: wet selenite is soft and breaks easily. Let them dry in the shade, because fast drying in sun can crack them.
What to bring
A shovel, a container of water for rinsing, egg cartons or paper towels for packing, sun protection and plenty of drinking water. The flats are bright and hot in summer. Rinse salt off your car afterwards.
Nearby
Western Oklahoma’s gypsum belt and the rose rock belt are worth reading about, but most of that land is private.
Questions
When can you dig for crystals at Salt Plains?
April 1 through October 15, from sunrise to sunset.
Does crystal digging cost anything?
No. It is free and no permit is required.
Can I keep the selenite crystals?
Yes. Crystals dug in the designated Dig Area are yours to keep.
How deep are the crystals?
Usually within two feet of the surface, just below the salt crust.
Back to the Oklahoma rockhounding guide · Rules by land type