Watch this 2015 feature on Great Salt Plains State Park from Discover Oklahoma
Photos courtesy of Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
Salt Plains State Park is one of Oklahoma’s most unique state parks. 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.
Visitors can take their pick of activities in the park, bird watching and hiking along the trails. Equestrians can bring their horses to ride designated trails (Equestrian Campgrounds available), and there are nature trails to enjoy while taking in the scenery. Fishing at the lake is fun for the entire family, whether from the shore or the handicap accessible fishing dock. Varieties of fish such as catfish, saugeye, sand bass and hybrid striper can be found in these salty, shallow waters. 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.
The nearby Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge boasts the only spot in the world where people can dig for hourglass-shaped selenite crystals. The delicate, hourglass-shaped crystals reside just below the salt plains’ surface and can easily be retrieved with a shovel or hand spade. Crystal digging is seasonal, from April 1 through October 15. Visitors will need to bring their own shovel or hand spade.
The refuge, adjacent to the park is one of Oklahoma’s most unusual geological phenomena – salt flats, which are literally a sea of salt left over from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times. In addition to searching for crystals, there are more than 300 species of protected birds to look for in the refuge. Golden and bald eagles as well as thousands of waterfowl are among the refuge’s yearly residents. Visitors can cool off by wading in the shallow waters of Great Salt Plains Lake, which is about half as salty as the ocean.
Miles from Enid: 46
Directions from Enid: Travel west on Hwy. 412 (Owen K Garriott Rd.) for 7 miles, turn north onto Hwy 132. Follow Hwy. 132 for 19 miles, turn west onto Hwy. 64. Follow Hwy. 64 for 9 miles, turn north onto Hwy. 38. Continue on Hwy. 38 for 10 miles to Great Salt Plains State Park.
