great salt plains lakegreat salt plains lake

This process also plays a role in the formation of selenite crystals that visitors covet. Great Salt Plains Lake is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River approximatelyeight miles northeast of Jet, Oklahoma, and 12 miles east of Cherokee. The park consists of 820 acres of land and water located entirely within Alfalfa County. Learn more and start planning the ultimate nature getaway! There isnt another single place in the world like it, with these unique selenite crystals. Crystal digging is allowed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from April 1 to Oct. 15. It will be fully enforced by June 1st. You can visit the State Park office at 23280 S Spillway Dr. Jet, OK 73749. Discover some of the best state park cabins in Oklahoma and enjoy rustic comfort nestled within breathtaking outdoor locales. About 1-2 feet below the surface is salty water, but not as salty as the ocean. Great Salt Plains State Park: Dig For Crystals at This Oklahoma Park I was giddy upon pulling up to the Great Salt Plains of Oklahoma. The lake covers 9,300 acres (38km2) and has 91 miles (146km) of shoreline. The small lake near the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge headquarters has an easy-access fishing pier. Park Office: 580-626-4731. Call the visitor center for current conditions. 64600 N 2466 RD Your email address will not be published. The park rotates which lots are used for digging each year to avoid overuse of each lot. Toggle Main Menu. Lake/River View ? While you visit this mysterious natural wonder, you can also help save it. Salinity of the water in the reservoir is one-fourth that of sea water. It was very cool to see. Great Salt Plains Lake (Google Map) is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River approximately eight miles northeast of Jetand 12 miles east of Cherokee. Salt Plains State Park | TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel There is zero shade, so hats with wide brims and sunglasses are needed. The lake entered this week at 4,193.8 feet elevation at the Great Salt Lake State Park marina, more than 3 feet above lake levels this time last year and 5 feet above the officially recognized . The Army Corps of Engineers maintains the dam and spillway. At Antelope Island State Park, Bridger Bay Campground and White Rock Bay Campground are also open year-round. Please practice fire safety and review locations of active wildfires in Utah. Why not explore it now! Davis County in Northern Utah is home to Antelope Island State Park, Lagoon Amusement Park, Cherry Hills Recreation Park and much more. Every cabin has a bed, refrigerator, andstove. There are primitive beach tent only sites, no hookups or vehicle access on the beach. You can also bring your canoe or kayak and enjoy a trip around the lake viewing the many migratory birds that pass through the area. And we left several behind. At this elevation. [3], The Great Salt Plains cover an area of 11,000 acres (45km2). The sun reflects off the white surface so sunglasses would be a good idea as well. Enjoy a multi-day stay at Salt Plains State Park in one of the renovated, eco-friendly cabins. Personal watercraft are not recommended. Trails. Rain falling on distant peaks creates floods that rush ever lower. Crystal digging is one of the main activities in the Salt Plains. Great Salt Plains Contacts Fees & Facilities: (580) 626-4731 Fishing: (580) 474-2663 Game Warden (County): (580) 860-4979 (Alfalfa) Operated by U.S. Great Salt Lake State Park, in particular, houses a search and rescue operations center, provides long-term boat slip rentals and is home to the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club. It is located 8 miles (13km) north of Jet, Oklahoma on SH-38 and 12 miles (19km) east of Cherokee. Oklahoma is full of beautiful state parks, but one of our favorites is Great Salt Plains State Park. Things to Do & Reasons to Visit, Great Salt Plains | Crystal Digging Adventures, 31 Amazing Things to Do in Broken Bow, OK. ", Thomas L. Hedglen, "Great Salt Plains State Park and National Wildlife Refuge. 840 Park Acres ? Now, hourglass-shaped crystals wait to be discovered, just below the surface. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-leader-1-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'roamingmyplanet_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-leader-1-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-leader-1-0_1-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'roamingmyplanet_com-leader-1','ezslot_16',166,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-leader-1-0_1'); .leader-1-multi-166{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. You should also bring a shovel as you will want to dig a hole that is a couple of feet deep to look for the crystals. Here are some of our ideas: Be sure to wash your vehicle well once back home. Don't forget to invite your friend's to our Facebook groups! The salt is left behind when the water evaporates. The address to the digging site is also: 66003 Garvin Road, Cherokee, OK 73728. We respect your privacy. Passes good for three days or a week are also available; annual passes good at all 22 state parks charging fees are offered at a cost of $75 for out-of-state visitors or $60 for Oklahoma residents. Trails may be closed during hunts, prescribed fires and for required maintenance. Due to its shallowness, not all types of boating and fishing activities aresuitable for the main body of the lake, but fishing for catfish and other speciesis a popular activity downstream of the concrete dam structure. During the extreme drought of that year, the average depth decreased to 2 feet (0.61m). Aerial view of Great Salt Plains Lake Dam on the Salt Fork Arkansas River. Here, you can visit a small visitors center, book a boat tour or stroll along the marina dock. Below the spillway on the north side is a large paved area and fishing jetty. This state park near the dam has cabins, RV sites and tent sites available if you want to camp in the park. Shelton, Ryan. Hair Dryer ? The Eccles Wildlife Education Center, sandwiched between Utah's Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lakes Antelope Island State Park, opened in 2018 and has become a bucket-list destination to see, study and photograph the state's diverse animals. Oklahoma offers many diverse camping options perfect for an RV or motorhome getaway. Great Salt Lake State Park | Utah State Parks Located just a few hours away from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Wichita, the salt plains are accessible from all directions. SPRINGFIELD, VA., Jan. 24, 2022 - Storms have hammered the U.S., and many recreational boats are sleeping away the winter under a layer of ice and snow. Great Salt Plains Lake | TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel A couple of local restaurants worth considering (but we havent personally tried them out) are The Shack or Lolas Cafe Mexican Restaurant in Cherokee, OK. Visit Utah. The lake has a swimming area at Sandy Beach at P31 Rd, Jet, OK 73749 which was perfect for cooling off and cleaning up after all of that hot, hard work under the sun. How to identify, avoid and maybe appreciate Oklahoma's ticks. The Coon Hollow approach channel has an easy access fishing dock and ramp. National Wildlife Refuge ? Great Salt Lake | Visit Utah Enid is about an hour away if youre looking for a large variety of food options. Crystal Digging at Great Salt Plains State Park, Oklahoma Great Salt Plains Lake is a reservoir located within the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma in the United States named because of the salt flats in the area and for the Salt Fork Arkansas River, which is dammed to form the lake. The average depth is reportedly 4 feet (1.2m) and the impoundment capacity is 31,420 acre-feet. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free . The source of Badwater's salts is Death Valley's drainage system of 9,000 square milesan area larger than New Hampshire. Return to Area Map Upstream Gauge: Downstream Gauge : Flood Categories (in feet) Major Flood Stage: 20: Moderate Flood Stage: 18: Flood Stage: 16: Action Stage: 7: Low Stage (in feet): . The salt that it picks up from the plains and from the wind is bad for its paint. This in itself was a pretty cool fact to learn about! The park has RV and tent sites, comfort stations with showers, cabins, picnic sites, group shelters, swimming beach, playgrounds, boat ramps, fishing dock and equestrian trails. The fish vary from catfish, saugeye (related to the walleye) sandbass and hybrid striped bass. View Great Salt Plains Lake Map. A state-of-the-art facility was built in Oklahoma City featuring man-made rapids perfect for whitewater rafting, tubing, and kayaking. On the west edge of the lake, visitors can dig for selenite crystals. Recreational opportunities at Great Salt Plains State Park include boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and exploring. For website corrections, write to ceswt-pa@swt03.usace.army.mil, An official website of the United States government, Project Partnering and Cooperation Agreements, Brush Piles, Survey Plats, Adjacent Landowners, Tulsa District Environmental Impact Statements, Flood Recovery and Repair Activities in the Tulsa, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. shovels (large and small) for digging (sturdy, not the plastic shovels that easily break), pails, buckets, or egg cartons for collection of crystals, jugs of fresh water for rinsing hands (and more), old towels for cleaning up & for car ride home, sunscreen (the light-colored ground reflects the sun back up to you), rainboots or washable flip flops or sandals, something to carry your gear (washable wagon or large bucket), ice chest with snacks & drinks & plenty of water, beach chairs (if you plan to stay awhile), pop-up tent or canopy (for shade) or beach umbrella that sticks in the sand, potty chair for littles / sanitizer (there are porta-potties located on-site), set a couple out as a cool display in your home or kids rooms, keep a collection for kids to play with (great for sorting activities and for game pieces), display them in glass jars or bottles (we have a sea glass collection in a jar on our mantle this makes another fun addition! Check out our Broken Bow excursion here! Great Salt Plains Lake is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River near the communities of Jet and Cherokee. Horse rental is not available. 106 Tent Campsites ? You can boat, swim and fish. You can either pay for your parking in advance or you can pay with your on smartphone at the park. Campsites have water and electricity. Great Salt Plains Lake is a reservoir located within the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma in the United States named because of the salt flats in the area and for the Salt Fork Arkansas River, which is dammed to form the lake. Relax and hibernate in a Greenleaf State Park cabin, or step away from the secluded relaxation of cabin life for park activities that include swimming, wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing and boating on the waters of Greenleaf Lake. The lake is subject to periodic mass fish kills, most recently in 2011. NOTE: Forecasts for the Salt River at Priest Road-Tempe are issued routinely year-round. Salt Plains State Park is one of Oklahoma's most unique state parks. Great Salt Plains State Park and National Wildlife Refuge | The Can the Great Salt Plains Lake be saved? - The Oklahoman The island is considered one of the most important colonial bird nesting habitats, and is the largest breeding site in the state for the white-faced ibis. Be sure to check the latest fire restrictions before lighting a campfire, and always know the. 6 Cabins with Kitchens & Coffee Makers, Great Salt Plains State ParkRt 1 Box 28Jet, OK 73749. We chat with a botanist to weed through the prickly identification challenges associated with thistles and their look-alikes. The lake is thalassohaline, which means its origin is from the sea and it has the same ratios of salts that the ocean has, just in much higher concentrations. You can dig for crystals in the Great Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge located near the state park. July 21, 2012. Great Salt Plains Lake | Outdoorsy A vast sea of white right smack dab in the middle of wheat fields, just under that big, blue Oklahoma sky. The Great Salt Plains Lake area is the only documented area in the world where they are found. Located off River Road near the comfort station and picnic pavilion, the Tonkawa Interpretive Trail offers guests a quarter mile paved trail that is fully handicap accessible. There are no individual hookups, but throughout the warmer months, you'll find shower facilities, drinking water and concessions, including Buffalo Grill. The Great Salt Lake is essential to Utahs environment and ecology 10 million birds visit the lake annually as an essential stopover and breeding ground. Allow the water to seep in and carefully search the edges of the hole, feeling for the crystals. Equestrian Trail ? Advance camping reservations are recommended. Then take your small hand shovels and dig just under the surface and pull up. Whatever you decide, beautiful views of Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park and Black Rock are a guarantee. American sculptor Robert Smithson constructed this extraordinary coil-shaped earth sculpture in 1970 using 6,500 tons of black basalt rocks, limestone and mud. Proposed solutions are:[5], There is a law requiring that a non federal partner help pay for restoration. It's easily a day trip from those areas, but why not pitch a tent and camp under the stars while you're there? The refuge maintains a public hunting area north of State Highway 11. Unsubscribe at anytime. I really couldnt believe it until I could see it with my own two eyes. The 22 parks are:[6]. Fishing - Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge Refuge waters include Great Salt Plains Reservoir (8,000 acres), Salt Fork River (two miles) and Sand Creek (two miles). There are comfort stations with showers located near the camping sites and throughout the park. Saugeye, Features/Facilities: Coffee Maker ? Personal watercraft are not recommended. [2] Recreational opportunities at Great Salt Plains State Park include boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and exploring. Great Salt Plains - Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Prepare to walk away as a hot, muddy mess! If you never had the nerve to try it before, it's time to put the excuses behind you and take on the rapids in this fun (but safe) facility. There are plenty of signs explaining how to pay. Drones are prohibited at Antelope Island State Park from March-November, and by recreational permit only on weekdays December-February. The area is protected for whooping cranes for the rest of the year. Enjoy biking, boating, bison-spotting, bird-watching and more. We would also love to see your vacation pictures. Great Salt Plains State Park encompasses a unique geologic depository of red, hour-glass-shaped selenite crystals in the flood plain of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River. This page was last edited on 6 May 2023, at 10:55. [3], The refuge is the only spot in the world where crystal enthusiasts can dig for hourglass selenite, a rare and fragile form of selenite, which is a form of gypsum. Once upon a time 30,000 years ago during the Ice Age to be exact a freshwater Lake Bonneville inhabited much of Northern Utah. Great Salt Plains | Crystal Digging Adventures - Naturally Oklahoma This park offers something for everyone, from miles of beautiful hiking trails to opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and more. If you are wanting to dig for crystals then you need to plan your visit between April 1st and Oct 15th. Digging times are available from April 1 through October 15. Each of the six cabins has its own bed, refrigerator andstove, among other amenities. [4], President Herbert Hoover designated an area of the Salt Fork east of Cherokee, Oklahoma as a National Wildlife Refuge on March 26, 1930. We met a kind gentleman that lived nearby who had found several terrific specimens. Salt Plains State Park also offers picnic pavilions and outdoorgrills. The barren landscape of the nearby Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of salt leftover from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times, and the saltwater lake in the park, Great Salt Plains Lake, is about half as salty as the ocean. US Army Corps of Engineers After parking, be sure to check out the posts full of information at the entrance. Here is a link for more parking info. Digging times are available from April 1 through October 15. The selenite crystals found here in the actual refuge are unique to Oklahoma. Activities on the refuge are strictly controlled with many areas closed from October 15 through April 1. There is also a community center building with kitchen facilities available for rent. The Great Salt Lake in this state park has half as much salt content compared to the ocean. When we were here we actually saw a deer leap into the water and swim across the other side never breaking a stride. Great Salt Plains Lake, Oklahoma - Community and Visitors Guide 138 Great Salt Plains Stock Photos & High-Res Pictures You'll find the state park about 45 miles northeast of Enid at 23280 S Spillway Drive in the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. Previous Group and reservations. If no action is taken, the Corps has said that the seafood source will be depleted and the birds will abandon the lake.[5]. Great Salt Plains State Park is the only place in the world where you can dig for hourglass-shaped crystals. Visit Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, one of the chain of refuge areas for ducks and geese on the Continental Central Flyway. Reservations for Sibley Equestrian can be made at the park office. The hourglass-shaped selenite crystal can only be found here. These hourglass selenite crystals are unique to this area and cant be found anywhere else in the world. Great Salt Plains Lake, Oklahoma | Roadtrippers There is however a parking fee. the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere. Another explorer, John C. Fremont, explored the island further in 1843. The best access points to Great Salt Lake are via Antelope Island State Park or Great Salt Lake State Park. You might be a little dirty after all that crystal hunting! The park has RV and tent sites, comfort stations with showers, cabins, picnic sites, group . @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0-asloaded{max-width:970px!important;max-height:90px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[970,90],'roamingmyplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_4',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Oklahoma is home to a lot of beautiful landscapes and sites, but one of the lesser known gems in the state is the Great Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge. Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bring your suits and a cooler for a picnic lunch and drinks. The refuge manages the popular selenite crystal digging area, a visitor center, nature trails, auto tour route and observation tower, as well as fishing on refuge streams and portions of the lake. It provides habitat for approximately 300 species of birds and 30 species of mammals. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_18',186,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_19',186,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');@media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_2-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_20',186,'0','2'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roamingmyplanet_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_2'); .large-leaderboard-2-multi-186{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:300px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. The average depth is 4 feet (1.2m). Hybrid Striped Bass ? The first night stay will be charged to your credit card to confirm your reservations. You can only take home so many crystals! Best Hikes and Trails in Great Salt Plains State Park | AllTrails The salty lake contains catfish, sandbass, hybrid striper and saugeye. Welcome to Great Salt Plains Lake - Army Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, "Welcome to Great Salt Plains Lake. Great Salt Plains Lake is a reservoir located within the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma in the United States named because of the salt flats in the area and for the Salt Fork Arkansas River, which is dammed to form the lake. The entrance is five and one-half miles north of Jet, Oklahoma, on State Highway 38. There is a restroom available inside the gate. Submit your photo to the dock! If traveling from OKC, take I-35N to Highway 412. The salt flats also entertain motorsport racing along with several land-speed records at the Bonneville Speedway. How much did Utah's record snowpack help the Great Salt Lake? There are more than 11 feet of salt on the bottom of the lake in some places. The hourglasses within the crystals form this way because of the mixture of the surrounding wet soil, clay, and sand. Artists, historians and naturalists alike will appreciate the sensational sight of the Spiral Jetty. We collected them in buckets and then set them out on a towel to air dry in the sun. This is a special pond stocked with fish that only kids are allowed to fish in. A study made in 1931 for the United States Army Corps of Engineers proposed building a flood control dam in the Great Salt Plains area. The saline content is reportedly one-fourth that of the ocean. Willard Bay is a freshwater reservoir on the flood plains of the lake. The 32,197-acre Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge borders the lake on its upper end. While searching for crystals, look for some of the over 300 species ofprotected birds that live in and can be seen in the refuge.